Jujube - The jujube tree and general uses* Jujube contains the highest concentration of cyclic guanosine monophosphate and cylic AMP * Jujube contains heavy concentrations of niacin, riboflavin, thiamine and two forms of vitamin A * Jujube contains 100 times more vitamin C than apples and 20 times more than citrus fruits * Jujube contains the minerals calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zink * Jujube contains and array of phenols and nine bioflavonoids, which support vascular function and cellular health * Jujube contains 18 of the 24 amino acids humans need to live * Jujube contains a wide variety of organic acids, the most notable being betulinic acid
J Pharm Pharmacol. 2007 August. College of Food and Bioengineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China. Saponins from jujube herb were tested on animals and found to have sedative properties.
Comparison of the sedative and hypnotic effects of flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides extracted from Semen Ziziphus jujube. Nat Prod Res. 2007 April. College of Food, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.
We investigated and compared the sedative and hypnotic effects of three kinds of compounds, flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides. Flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides were extracted from jujube herb and orally administered to mice separately. Results show that flavonoids and saponins caused a significant reduction of walking time and coordinated movement ability of mouse, significantly prolonged its sleeping time. Comparative analysis showed that saponins had a more effective sedative and hypnotic function than that of flavonoids, polysaccharides did not show a sedative and hypnotic effect.
Jujube as anti cancer agent in liver cancer
Mechanism of the anti-cancer activity of Zizyphus jujuba in HepG2 cells. Am J Chin Medicine. Department of Food and Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Human Life Science, Osaka City University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan.
We investigated the anti-cancer activity of jujube herb and its underlining mechanisms of action in human hepatoma cells (HepG2) and found that jujube extract decreased the viability of the cells. Our findings suggest that jujube extract induced a concentration dependent effect on apoptosis and a differential cell cycle arrest in HepG2 cells.
Medicinal Action and Uses of Jujube:The Jujube is classed with the raisin, date, and fig as a pectoral fruit, being nutritive and demulcent. It is eaten both fresh and dried.
A syrup and a tisane were formerly made from it, but the berries are now little used in medicine.
Jujube paste, or ’Pate de Jujubes,’ is made of gum-arabic and sugar. It may be dissolved in a decoction of jujubes and evaporated, but is considered as good a demulcentwithout their addition. It is frequently merely mixed with orange-flower water.
A decoction of the roots has been used in fevers.
An astringent decoction of leaves and branchlets is made in large quantities in Algeria, and seems likely to replace the cachou.
Key Actions:
Jujube helps to efficiently get the energy from food. It also gives energy and has an emotionally calming effect.
Anti-aging effects: Experiments show that Da Zao has an inhibitory effect on the activity of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) in mice.
Anti-tumor effects: Administering to mice for 14 consecutive days, Da Zao can inhibit sarcoma-180 (S180) with a 61% inhibition rate.
Anti-inflammatory effects: Extracts of Da Zao leaves can significantly inhibit dimethylbenzene-induced auricular inflammation in mice, egg white-induced toe swelling, and cotton ball-induced granulation tissue proliferation in rats.
Astringent and Febrifuge: The leaves are astringent and febrifuge. They are said to promote the growth of hair. They are used to form a plaster in the treatment of strangury.
Anodyne, anticancer, pectoral, refrigerant, sedative, stomachic, styptic and tonic: The dried fruits are anodyne, anticancer, pectoral, refrigerant, sedative, stomachic, styptic and tonic.They are considered to purify the blood and aid digestion.They are used internally in the treatment of chronic fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhea, anemia, irritability and hysteria. The fruit strengthens the liver and is used by Chinese Practitioners for hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Counteracting mutation: Experiments show that oral administration of Da Zao decoction can significantly inhibit cyclophosphamide-induced increase in sister chromatid exchange (SCE), indicating that Da Zap has an anti-mutation effect.
Counteracting allergic reaction: Da Zao solution can suppress the release of leukotrien D4 by basophilic white blood cells in human peripheral blood.
Counteracting leukemia: Experiments show that water-based extract of Da Zao has a significant suppressive effect on the proliferation and colony formation of human leukemia K562 cells.
Effects on the cardiovascular system: Da Zao has a protective effect on experimental cardiac ischemia in rats. It can significantly increase the subjects¡¯ tolerance for oxygen deprivation, counteract various experimental cardiac arrhythmia, suppress platelet aggregation and affect the subjects¡¯ hemodynamics and blood rheology, and enhance rats¡¯ humoral and cell-mediated immune functions.
Effects on the phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophage: In-vivo experiments show that Hong Zao (Da Zao) can increase the phagocytosis of mice¡¯s mononuclear-phagocyte system.
Nutritive qualities: The ancient claims about its extraordinary nutritive qualities may reflect two aspects of jujube: first, persons who were especially weak and unable to eat ordinarily might find the mild and sweet taste of jujube acceptable and at least get some calories (e.g., about 40, still very little) and a small amount of protein, especially valuable if jujube was added to a nutritional dish to make it more palatable; second, persons who did not have much fruit in their diet might have had a low vitamin C level, which could be corrected with a relatively small quantity of jujube fruit or its extract.
Muscular strength and Increases Stamina: Jujube is both a delicious fruit and an effective herbal remedy. It improves muscular strength and increases stamina. In Chinese medicine it is prescribed as a tonic to strengthen liver function. In one clinical trial in China 12 patients with liver complaints were given jujube, peanuts and brown sugar nightly. In four weeks their liver function had improved.
Strengthening effect: Fed to mice for 21 consecutive days, Da Zao decoction can significantly increase the subjects¡¯ body weight and swimming capacities.
Seed: The seed is hypnotic, narcotic, sedative, stomachic and tonic. It is used internally in the treatment of palpitations, insomnia, nervous exhaustion, pain, night sweats and excessive perspiration. Also used to improve skin color and tone.
Root: The root is used in the treatment of dyspepsia. A decoction of the root has been used in the treatment of fevers. The root is made into a powder and applied to old wounds and ulcers. It is used for.
Other Medicine Uses: The jujube is a remedy for anemia, hypertonia, nephritis and nervous diseases.The fruit will impart energy without nervousness. Described as a calm energy.The plant is widely used in China as a treatment for burns.The fruits are used in Chinese traditional medicine, where they are believed to alleviate stress. The fruit is ground to powder, with very small amounts required to promptly calm nerves and purify blood quality.Ziziphin, a compound in the leaves of the jujube, suppresses the ability to perceive sweet taste in humans. The fruit, being mucilaginous, is also very soothing to the throat and decoctions of jujube have often been used in pharmacy to treat sore throats.