Plant pearls
- Jackfruit is the national fruit of Bangladesh, where it is widely consumed and referred as the "poor man's food."
- The "Sacred Jackfruit Tree" is a historical site in the Indian state of Manipur where a jackfruit tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus) growing on the small hill of Kaina was used to carve images of Hindu god Krishna,. Tajarshi Bhagy Chandra, the King of Manipur in the 18th century, was instructed in a dream to carve the seven images of Krishna from the jackfruit tree and installed it in various temples in Manipur and Assam. (60)
Botany
Langka is a smooth tree reaching
a height of 8 to 15 meters. Leaves are alternate, leathery, elliptic-oblong
to obovate, entire or sometimes 3-lobed, 7 to 15 centimeters long, the apex and
base both pointed. Female heads are embraced by spathaceous, deciduous, stipular sheaths, 5 to 8 centimeters long. Sepals are two. Spike is 5 to 15 centimeters long. Fruit is green to greenish-yellow when ripe,
fleshy, hanging on short stalks from the main stem or from large branches in old trees, oblong with pyramidal projections,
25 to 60 centimeters long. Seeds are numerous, oblong, 2.5 to 4 centimeters long. The testa is
thin, coriaceous, surrounded by an edible luscious pulp.
Distribution
- Cultivated throughout
the Philippines at low and medium altitudes.
- In some regions, spontaneous.
- Prehistoric introduction from Malaya or tropical Asia.
- Also occurs in India to Malaya, and is now cultivated in most tropical countries.
Constituents
· Jackfruit contains
morin and a crystalline constituent, cyanomaclurin.
· Cyanomaclurin reported to contain a phoroglucinol group and is probably isomeric
with catechins.
· Phytochemical screening yielded alkaloids, tannins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and saponins.
· Chemical analysis yields moisture 28.50%, sugars (saccharose, fructose, glucose) 5.48%, fixed oil 6.64%, essential oil 0.15%, other extracts 22.39%, protein 18.85%, cellulose 14.47%, inorganic matter 3.52%.
· Pulp (lamukot) of the fruit contains vitamin C.
· Good source of provitamin A carotenoids.
· Of the components of essential oil, piperonal is noted.
· Study yielded a new flavonone, a new prenylflavone, a novel phenolic compound, heterophylol and nine known flavonoids.
· Study of seeds showed a high carbohydrate content; oil content was 11.39%. Elemental analysis yielded high potassium content of 2470.00 ppm, followed by sodium, magnesium and calcium. (27)
· Evaluation of ethyl acetate extract of leaves yielded ursolic content of 376.5 mg/g. Elemental analysis yielded calcium 39.4%, potassium 29.6%, magnesium 2.06^, iron 0.99%, sulphur 1.83%, zinc 0.08%, strontium 0.23%, manganese 0.13%, and aluminum 0.0005%. (see study below) (29)
· Chemical analysis of A. heterophyllus wood yielded: ashes 15.5 g/kg, sodium nitrate-alcohol cellulose 467.6 g/kg, holo-cellulose 709.8 g/kg, pentosan 212.6 g/kg, acid-soluble lignin 44.9 g/kg, acid insoluble lignin 237.4 g/kg, organic solvent soluble lignin 248.3 g/kg. Phenolic hydroxyl content of organic solvent yielded soluble lignin 0.25 mmol/g. Trace element contents yielded: Fe 959 μg/ g, Mn 9.37 μg/g, Cu 5.60 μg/g, Zn 17.1 μg/g, Ca 2.26 mg/g, Mg 433μg/g, Na 28.1μg/g, K 1.05 mg/g, Al 46.2 μg/g, and Pb 0.603 μg/g. (31)
· Nutritional assessment of a jackfruit meal (flesh/80% available carbohydrate and seeds/20% carbohydrate) showed a high moisture content of boiled jackfruit flesh (82% FW); seeds yielded 4.7% protein (FW), 11.1% dietary fiber (FW) and 8% resistant starch (FW). The jackfruit meal yielded a GI (glycemic load) of 75. (see study below) (22)
· Study of A. heterophyllus and A. communis isolated 15 isoflavonoids, including cycloartomunin (1), cyclomorusin (2), dihydrocycloartomunin (3), dihydroisocycloartomunin (4), cudraflavone A (5), cyclocommunin (6), and artomunoxanthone (7), and cycloheterophyllin (8), artonins A (9) and B (10), artocarpanone (11), artocarpanone A (12), and heteroflavanones A, B, and C (13-15). (see study below) (1)
· Phytochemical study of leaves yielded concentrations (mg/kg) of alkaloids (3.63±18), saponins (0.44±9.003), flavonoids (1.27±0.06), tannins (0.18±0.00), cardiac glycosides (0.01±0.00), phenols (0.42±0.02) and steroids (0.28±0.01). Proximate percentage compositions showed carbohydrate (37.95), proteins (22.17), ash (16.40), moisture (16.80), crude fiber (6.55) and fat (0.13). (53)
Properties
· Root is considered antiasthmatic.
· Ripe fruit is sweet, cooling, demulcent, nutritive, laxative, aphrodisiac.
- Flesh and seeds considered
a cooling and nutritious tonic.
· Unripe fruit is acrid, astringent, carminative and tonic.
· Pulp or flesh surrounding the seed is aromatic, cooling and
tonic.
· Seeds are sweet, diuretic, aphrodisiac.
· Bark is considered sedative.
· Studies on jackfruit have shown photoprotective, antioxidant, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, anti-melanogenesis, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antimicrobial, antitumor, wound healing, anti-ulcer nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory properties.
Parts
utilized
· Leaves, fruit, bark, seeds
Uses
Nutrition / Edibility
- The young fruit is also a vegetable.
-
Fruit has a high carbohydrate content.
- Seeds are very rich in starch, but a poor source of calcium and iron.
-
The pulp or flesh (lamukot) surrounding the
seeds is rich, yellow, sweet and aromatic, rich in vitamin C, eaten fresh or cooked
or preserved.
-
The seeds are boiled or roasted.
-
The unripe fruit can be
pickled.
- In India, the unripe fruit used in the preparation of pickles.
Folkloric
· Skin diseases,
ulcers and wounds: Ash of burnt leaves applied on wounds and ulcers as cicatrizant.
·
Burnt ashes of leaves (preferably fresh) with
coconut oil, and as ointment, also used for ulcers and wounds.
· Diarrhea, fever and asthma: A decoction of the root (preferably
chopped into small pieces before boiling) of the tree, three to four cups
daily.
· Glandular swelling and snake bites: Apply the milky juice of
the tree.
·
When mixed with vinegar, it is especially beneficial for glandular
swelling and abscesses, promoting absorption and suppuration.
· Leaves used for fever, wounds, abscesses,
· The ripe fruit is laxative; in large quantities, it produces
diarrhea.
· The roasted seeds believed to have aphrodisiac properties.
· Pulp envelopes or arils of seeds considered cooling, tonic and nutritious China.
· In India, the leaves and bark of Artocarpus heterophyllus and Mangifera indica, boiled in water, are used as postpartum bath, to rejuvenate the mothers after delivery.
· Starch of seeds given in bilious colic.
· In China, roasted seeds used as
aphrodisiac.
· Root extract used for asthma , fever and diarrhea.
·
Bark is considered sedative.
· In Sri Lanka and India, extracts of mature leaves used for treatment of diabetes.
· In China, pulp of fruit also considered useful in suppressing alcohol in the body.
· In Indian medicine, bark used in fever, boils, wounds, skin diseases.
· In Mauritius, used for diabetes.
· In Ayurvedic medicine, hot water
extract of mature leaves used for treatment of diabetes.
· In Cambodia, wood considered a nervous sedative; used for convulsions. Pith taken internally as abortifacient. In Bihar India, plant used for toothache, stomach complaints, sores and sterility in women. (57)
Others
· Lambanog additive: Fruit used to flavor
and age lambanog; locals believe it increases alcohol potency.
· Alcohol: Can be fermented and distilled.
· Adhesive: Tree latex is used as bird lime; and when heated makes a good cement
for china.
· Rope: Bark sometimes used for making rope and cloth.
· Dye: Wood has limited use as source of yellow dye.
· Wood: Wood is termite resistant. Considered superior to teak; used for furniture, construction, turnery, inlay work, making of oars, implements and musical instruments. (46)
· Gum / Resin: Latex yields 71.8% resin of 63.3 % fluavilles (yellow) and 8.5% albanes (white). Resins may have valuable application in varnishes. (46)
Studies
• Isoflavonoids / Anti-Inflammatory: Study of Artocarpus heterophyllus and A. communis for anti-inflammatory activities isolated 15 isoflavonoids. Many of the compounds exhibited varying degrees of anti-inflammatory
activities–inhibitory effects on chemical mediator release from
mast cells, neutrophils and macrophages, inhibition of ß-glucoronidase and histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells, inhibition of lysozyme release from rat neutrophils, inhibition of superoxide anion formation, inhibition of NO production, among others. (see constituents above) (1)
• Inhibition of Melanin Biosynthesis / Artocarpanone: Study showed the extract of AH
to be one of the strongest inhibitor of tyrosinase activity. Study isolated
Artocarpanone, which inhibited both mushroom tyrosinase activity and melanin
production in B16 melanoma cells and presents as a potential as a remedy
for hyperpigmentation in human skin. (2)
• Inhibition of Melanin Biosynthesis / Melanoma Cells: Study evaluated the structure-activity
relationship of prenyl-substituted polyphenols from Artocarpus heterophyllus
as inhibitors of melanin biosynthesis in cultured melanoma Cells: Study
isolated flavone-based polyphenols which were found to be active inhibitors
of the in vivo melanin biosynthesis in B16 melanoma cells. (3)
• Antibacterial / Natural Dye Material: Dye from heartwood of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk:
Material isolated could be used as a direct dye for wool and silk. Study showed
antibacterial activity against B. subtilis, B. cereus, S. aureus, E coli,
K pneumonia. (4)
• Source of Provitamin A carotenoids:
Analysis of carotenoids in ripe jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)
kernel and study of their bioconversion in rats: Study showed jackfruit
to be a good source of provitamin A carotenoids (not as good as papaya). (5)
• Antioxidant activity / Scavenging Activity:
Study showed prenylated flavonoid with more antioxidant than
non-prenylated flavonoid. (•) Study isolated prenylflavones cycloheterophyllin and artonins A and B which inhibited iron-induced lipid peroxidation and also show radical scavenging activity. (6)
• Hypoglycemic / Anti-Diabetic: Screening
of traditional antidiabetic medicinal plants of mauritius for possible
-amylase inhibitory effects in vitro: Of several medicinal plants studied
in Mauritius, only Artocarpus heterophyllus significantly inhibited a-amylase
activity in vitro indicating that AH could act as a starch blocker to
decrease post-prandial glucose peaks. (7) Study in male
Wistar rats showed the flavonoid fraction of the leaf of AH to have a
higher hypoglycemic effect than the sulfonylurea drug tolbutamide with
no significant effects on the liver, kidney and heart. (8) Study of jackfruit extract showed potential as antidiabetic agent with antioxidant activity and inhibition of hemoglobin glycation lowering HbA1c. (30)
• Sexual Competence Inhibition:
Study sought to resolve the conflicting beliefs on the roasted
seeds of AH - its aphrodisiac activity vs the claim that use of the seeds
prior to coitus disrupts sexual function. Study in rats utilizing a seed
suspension markedly inhibited libido, sexual arousal, sexual vigor and
performance while also causing mild erectile dysfunction. The results
suggest that AH seeds do not have aphrodisiac activity, at least, in rats.(10)
• Cytotoxicity / Anti-Tumor: Study showed the methanol extract to have maximum cytotoxicity on HEp2 cells with cell aggregation, cell rounding and cell death. Results suggest a potential use of the crude extract from the tegumen of AH as an antitumor agent. (12)
• Anti-Inflammatory / Bark: Study of a methanolic extract of A. heterophyllus on a carrageenan-induced model in albino rats showed dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity. (13)
• Hypoglycemic / Hypolipidemic / Leaves: Study of ethyl acetate fraction of A. heterophyllus leaves in STZ-induced diabetic rats showed significant lowering of serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Study concludes the EA fraction contains one or more hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic principles with a potential for further development for diabetes treatment. (14)
• Improved Glucose Tolerance / Type-2 Diabetes: Study showed the extracts of both Artocarpus heterophyllus and Asteracanthus longifolia significantly improved glucose tolerance in both normal subjects and diabetic patients.
• Hypoglycemic / Hypolipidemic / Antioxidant Pathway: Ethanol and butanol extracts showed hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in STZ-induced diabetic rats through an oxidative pathway that may be attributed to flavonoid contents. (18)
• Jacalin / Seed-Derived Lectin / Immunobiologic Applications: Jacalin, a major lectin protein from the jackfruit seed has been found strongly mitogenic for human CD4+ T lymphocytes. It has been found to have diverse applications: as a tool for evaluation of immune status in HIV-1, isolation of hum plasma glycoproteins, investigation of IgA -nephropathy, and detection of tumors. (19)
• Seed Starch Binding Property: Study showed the starch obtained from A. heterophyllus fruit seeds showed comparable binding properties. (20)
• Latex / Protease 48-kDa / Antimicrobial: A protease isolated and purified from crude latex of a jackfruit tree, designated as antimicrobial protease-48 kDa or AMP48 inhibited the growths of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853 and clinical isolated Candida albicans. (21)
• Nutritional Assessment of Jackfruit Meal/ Protease / Antimicrobial: In Sri Lanka, the jackfruit is consumed either as main meal or supplement. A nutritional assessment of a meal composed of flesh (80% available carbohydrate) and seeds (20% available carbohydrate) showed it to be a good source of starch (22%) and dietary fiber, and categorized as a low GI meal. (see constituents above) (22)
• Antitumor / Tegmen: Study evaluated crude extracts from the tegmen of Artocarpus heterophyllus for in vitro antitumor activity. A methanol extract yielded the maximum polyphenol content and showed maximum cytotoxicity on HEP2 cells, with cell aggregation, cell rounding, and cell death. Results suggest a potential as an antitumor agent.
(23)
• Cytotoxicity / A549 Cell Line: A methanolic extract of A. heterophyllus showed excellent cytotoxicity against A549 cell line, but had no activity against HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines. Results showed potential cytotoxicity against lung cancer, with no toxicity to normal cells (HEK293 cell line) as compared to methotrexate. (24)
• Wound Healing / Leaves: Study of a methanol leaf extract on excision would healing model showed significant wound healing activity, comparable with standard (Betadine). The period of epithelization of the extract treated group was higher than the control group. (25) Study showed ex-vivo wound healing activity of flavonoid rich fraction of an ethyl acetate extract of leaves using porcine skin wound healing model. (see constituents above) (29)
• Cartotenoid Composition / Bioconversion: Study of fruit kernels yielded six carotenoids: β-carotene, α-carotene, β-zeacarotene, α-zeacarotene and β-carotene-5,6-epoxide and a dicarboxylic carotenoid, crocetin. Serum retinol concentrations in rats supplemented with jackfruit carotenoids were significantly higher than control. Study suggest a satisfactory biological conversion of provitamin A in jackfruit kernel. (28)
• Adsorbent for Methylene Blue: Methylene blue is the most common of dyes in its category, generally used for dyeing cotton and silk. Study evaluated removal of methylene blue in batch sorption experiments using jackfruit leaf powder. Results showed JLP can be effectively used for the removal of MB from aqueous solutions. The desorption increased by decreasing the pH of the solution (32)
• Mucilage / Sustained Release Tablets: Study evaluated the release modifying potential of mucilage extracted from A. heterophyllus in the formulation of oral sustained release tables of diclofenac sodium. Results showed AH mucilage can be used as drug release modifier in a particular concentration range and as binding agent in formulating sustained release tablets. (33)
• Adsorbent / Activated Carbon from Peel: Study evaluated the effectiveness of an adsorbent prepared from jackfruit peel, an agricultural waste, for removal of phenol, 2‐chlorophenol, 4‐chlorophenol, 2,4‐dichlorophenol from aqueous solutions. Results showed the activated carbon can be economical for removal of phenols. (34)
• Latex / Antimicrobial / Dental Application: Study evaluated the potential use of different components of jackfruit in dental health.
Results showed the antibacterial and antifungal activities of protease isolated from jackfruit latex. Potential less expensive dental applications are presented i.e., as cementing medium, irrigation solution, denture cleaning solution, and use for dental microbiology. (35)
• Gold Nanoparticles / Antimicrobial / Fruit: Study reported on the cost-effective end ecofriendly synthesis of gold nanoparticles using aqueous fruit extracts of AH.
The gold nanoparticles showed antimicrobial activity against investigated microbes, esp. E. coli and Streptobacillus. (36)
• Jacalin / Seed Lectin / Anticancer: Study evaluated jacalin, a protein extract from AH seed, against human breast cancer (MCF7) and non-small cell lung carcinoma (H1299). Results showed jacalin was more effective than crude protein and was more active against MCF7 compared to H1299 cancer cells.
(37)
• Hepatoprotective / Inhibition of FeCl3 induced Hepatic Lipid Peroxidation / Peel: Study evaluated three vegetables viz., A. heterophyllus, Colocasia esculenta (taro) and Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) for in-vitro inhibition of FeCl3 induced LPO.
Jackfruit peel showed the maximum inhibition at lowest concentration. The hepatoprotective potential was attributed to polyphenol and flavonoid contents.
(38)
• Silver Nanoparticles / Antimicrobial / Leaves: Study reports on a simplistic method for synthesis of colloidal silver nanoparticles using a leaf extract. The silver nanoparticles demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, and Bacillus subtilis and antifungal activity against A. niger and the yeast, Pichia pastoris. (39)
• Pectin from Jam: Study reports that jackfruit is a promising industrial source of pectin which can be successfully applied in food gel system such as fruit jams.
It can significantly reduce wastage and waste disposal problems associated with handling jack fruits.(40)
• Jackfruit Wine: Study reports on the process optimization for the fermentation of wine from Jackfruit. The wine also showed good antioxidant activity while also exuding a sweet aroma
Wine production provides value addition while decreasing post harvest loss. (41)
• Jackfruit Seed Starch as Thickener and Stabilizer: Study showed jackfruit seed starch is suitable as a thickener and useful as a stabilizer
in a high acid sauce. (42)
• Toxicity Study: Study evaluated various leaf extracts of A. heterophyllus on hepatic, hematological, and reproductive parameters and histology of heart, kidney, lung, intestines, and pancrease on experimental rat models. Administration of extracts to rats for one months no toxic effects of importance, with no significant histological effects. AH appears to be free of any major toxic or unacceptable effects. (43)
• Immunomodulatory / Analgesic / Leaves: Study evaluated the analgesic and immunomodulatory activities of leaves by Eddy's hot plate method and Swimming Endurance test in Swiss albino mice. Results sowed significant analgesic and immunomodulatory effect by paw-licking and increased endurance and swimming time (p<0.001). (45)
• Anti-Ulcer / Indomethacin Induced Ulcers / Acute Toxicity Study / Leaves: Study evaluated the anti-ulcer activity of A. heterophyllus leaves extract on indomethacin induced ulcers on Swiss albino rats. Results showed anti-ulcer effect probably through reduction of gastric acid secretion. Acute toxicity study showed no mortality with extract doses above 5000 mg/kg. (47)
• Nephroprotective / Bark: Study evaluated methanolic and aqueous extracts of A. heterophyllus bark against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity. Treatment reduced the elevations in uric acid, urea and creatinine levels in a dose dependent manner along with histopathological confirmation of the activity. (48)
• Anticancer / Leaves: Study evaluated methanolic crude extracts of leaves of A. heterophyllus for anticancer activity by cytotoxicity and antiproliferative effects in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Methanolic crude extract showed significant cytotoxic effects (p<0.05). Highest cytotoxicity was seed at 1000 µg/ml (20.81±0.36% of viable cells) with IC50 199 µg/ml. Results suggest potential use of methanolic extract of leaves as anti-cancer agent. (49)
• Hepatoprotective / Thioacetamide Induced Toxicity / Acute Toxicity Study / Leaves: Study evaluated the hepatoprotective activity of A. heterophyllus leaves against thioacetamide induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. Results showed a remarkable decrease in hepatic enzyme markers with only minimal inflammation with moderate portal triaditis and normal lobular architecture. Acute toxicity study showed no mortality or adverse events at 2000 mg/kg. (50)
• Ameliorative Anti-Diabetic Effect / Pancreatic ß-Cell Dysfunction /
Stem-Bark: Study evaluated the ameliorative effects of an ethanol extract of A. heterophyllus stem bark in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Results showed reduction in FBS and peroxidation levels and increased serum insulin levels and antioxidant activities. Study demonstrated the ability of stem bark extract to ameliorate pancreatic ß-cell dysfunction. (51)
• Prenylated Flavone / Antioxidant / Antibacterial / Roots: Study of roots isolated a new prenylated flavone,
2,8-dihydroxy-3,10-dimethoxy-6-(2-methyl-1-propen-1-yl)-6H,7H-[1]benzopyrano[4,3-b][1]-benzopyran-7-one, along with 23 known compounds. The new compound showed potent antioxidant activity against DPPH and superoxide with IC50 of 0.033 and 0.125 mg/mL, respectively. Significant antibacterial activity was seen against Acinetobacter baumannii with MIC of 50 mg/mL. (52)
• Antidiarrheal / Antioxidant / Seeds: Study evaluated the antidiarrheal and antioxidant activities of a methanolic extract of A. heterophyllus seeds. In DPPH method, the extract showed moderate dose dependent antioxidant activity with IC50 of 116.04 µg/ml. Phenolic content was 437±0.006 mg GAE/gm dried extract. Total antioxidant capacity was 170.01 ± 0.001 mg/gm equivalent of ascorbic acid. In a castor oil induced diarrhea model in mice, there was reduction in frequency and severity of diarrhea. (53)
• Cycloheterophyllin / Photoprotective Against UVA-Induced Damage and Oxidative Stress in Human Dermal Fibroblasts: UV radiation is a cause of skin aging and may cause pathological skin changes. Study evaluated the protective effect of cytoheterophyllin against UV-induced damage on human dermal fibroblasts. Results showed cycloheterophyllne significantly increased cell viability and attenuated the phosphorylation of MAPK after UVA exposure. Study suggests photoprotective effect which may be beneficial in the prevention of skin photoaging. (55)
• Artoindonesianin / Tyrosinase Inhibitor / Roots: Tyrosinase inhibition guided fractionation of EA extract of roots yielded a stilbene derivative, artoindonesianin F. The compound exhibited potent mushroom tyrosinase inhibition activity. (56)
• Ag@Au Nanoparticles / Bimetallic Synergism / Antioxidant / Antibacterial / Fruit Latex: Study reports on the green, economical, and quick synthesis of Ag@Au nanoparticles
using Artocarpus heterophyllus fruit latex as capping and reducing agent. Phytochemical screening of crude extract of AHL showed random presence of bioactive constituents like alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics anthraquinones, tannins and proteins. The NPs showed significant antioxidant activity at lower dosage compared to the crude extract. It was attributed to the synergistic effect of latex bioactive components and the metal ions in bimetallic NPs on on dilution. the Ag@Au NPs showed higher antibacterial activity against gram-negative strain K. pneumonia and negligible effect on all gram-positive strains. Results showed superior collective effect of bimetallic NPs and latex bioconstituents. (58)
• Nutritional and Biologic Potential / Shell Powder: Study evaluated Artocarpus heterophyllus
shell powder for nutritional and biological potential. Results showed potential as a source of minerals, ß-carotene and dietary fiber. There was 3.05 g/100g DW of alkaloids, followed by saponins and tannins. Of all extracts, the methanol extract showed highest antioxidant activity by DPPH, FRAP and ABTS assays, which substantially correlated with phenolic and flavonoid contents. On antimicrobial testing, L. monocytogenes was more susceptible to all extracts. Major polyphenols were catechin, ascorbic and chlorogenic acids. Study suggests AH shell is a good source of natural antioxidants and other bioactive compounds and can be used in cosmetics, medicines and functional food applications. (59)
Availability
- Wildcrafted.
- Commercial fruiting. |