AN INTEGRATED REVIEW ON PHYTOCHEMICAL DIVERSITY AND PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF CITRUS PSEUDOLIMON (L.) TANAKA: CURRENT EVIDENCE & FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

In terms of pharmacological and economic relevance, the Citrus genus (Rutaceae family) is one of the most important families of fruit-bearing plants worldwide. Among the lesser explored of its members, a citrus plant which is often considered a wild or pseudo-lemon, Citrus pseudolimon, because of its rich phytochemical content is traditionally used in different indigenous medicine to treat metabolic, infectious, inflammatory and gastrointestinal disorders and it is currently being tested through the modern phytochemical and pharmacological systems. The plant is reported to have various groups of bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, limonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, essential oils, coumarins, and vitamins, which occur unevenly in its fruits, peels, leaves, seeds, and bark. Solvents of various polarities have been used to prepare extracts that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, anti obesity, anti-cancer and cardioprotective properties in in-vitro and in-vivo experimental models. Despite these encouraging data, there is no systematic review of literature that consolidates already obtained information on the phytochemistry and pharmacology of C. pseudolimon. This review critically summarizes and analyzes the published data on the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical profile of various parts of C. pseudolimon and compares them with known pharmacological activities. The focus is made on the methods of extraction, phytochemical yields of specific solvents, traditional and ethnomedicinal applications, and biological effects confirmed experimentally. This review will form the basis of a reference framework for additional drug discovery, nutraceutical development and functional food applications based on C. pseudolimon can be supported by combining traditional knowledge with present scientific evidence.