Review of Nephelium lappaceum and Nephelium ramboutan-ake: A High Potential Supplement

Abstract

Nephelium lappaceum (N. lappaceum) and Nephelium ramboutan-ake (N. ramboutan-ake) are tropical fruits that gain popularity worldwide due to their tastiness. Currently, their potential to be used as pharmaceutical agents is underestimated. Chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and aging have high incidence rates in the modern world. Furthermore, pharmaceutical agents targeting pathogenic microorganisms have been hampered by the growing of antimicrobial resistance threats. The idea of food therapy leads to extensive nutraceuticals research on the potential of exotic fruits such as N. lappaceum and N. ramboutan-ake to act as supplements. Phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds that present in the fruit act as potent antioxidants that contribute to the protective effects against diseases induced by oxidative stress. Fruit residuals such as the peel and seeds hold greater nutraceutical potential than the edible part. This review highlights the antioxidant and biological activities (anti-neoplastic, anti-microbial, hypoglycemic actions and anti-aging), and chemical contents of different parts of N. lappaceum and N. ramboutan-ake. These fruits contain a diverse and important chemical profile that can alleviate or cure diseases.

Rambutão: Um Fruto Com Potencial Efeito Para a Saúde?

“…No que diz respeito à atividade antioxidante de N. lappaceum, verificou-se que a respetiva casca tem maior poder antioxidante, em comparação com a semente e a folha, devido ao seu teor de flavonoides e compostos fenólicos, como a geraniina (25).…”

Editorial: Biofunctional Molecule Exploratory Research on Application in Food and Health

“…Functional foods containing antioxidant bioactive compounds may serve as potential nutritional supplements for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Herein, Tsong and colleagues reviewed the phytochemical compositions and biological activities of Nephelium lappaceum and Nephelium ramboutan-ake , types of tropical fruit from the Sapindaceae family [ 8 ]. Interestingly, phenolics from these two plants served as potential antioxidants that contributed to antiaging, antineoplastic, antimicrobial, and hypoglycemic activities in in vitro and in vivo disease models.…”

A review: extraction, phytochemicals, and biological activities of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L) peel extract

“…Phytochemicals are classified in accordance with their chemical structure, from simple structures, such as phenolic acids, to highly polymerized structures, such as tannins. These phytochemicals from plants are currently divided into hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives, flavones, flavonols, flavanols, and anthocyanins ( Tsong et al., 2021 ). Many previous studies reported the phytochemicals of rambutan peel extracts from different regions in the world.…”