Insights into the phenolic compounds present in jambolan (Syzygium cumini) along with their health-promoting effects

Jambolan is a rich source of bioactive phenolic compounds that have many potential health benefits. Phenolic acids, flavonoids (mainly anthocyanins, flavonols, flavanols and flavanonols) and tannins are the major phenolic compounds present in different parts of jambolan plant. Jambolan fruit skin mainly contains anthocyanins (such as delphinidin, petunidin, malvidin in glycosylated forms), while the pulp is primarily rich in phenolic acids (such as gallic acid and ellagic acid) and tannins (mostly ellagitannins). Moreover, many other compounds have been reported to be present in jambolan fruit. Apart from fruit skin and pulp, jambolan leaves contain flavonoids such as quercetin, myricetin and flavonol glycosides, while seeds are known to contain ellagic acid, gallic acid and quercetin. Health-promoting activities of phenolic compounds present in jambolan reported in the literature are functioning as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antihyperglycaemic, anticancer, cardioprotective, radioprotective, antibacterial, chemopreventive and antioxidant agents.