Ethnopharmacological relevance: In traditional Uyghur medicine, diaphragma juglandis fructus (DJF) has been conventionally used in treating insomnia and nourishing the kidneys. According to traditional Chinese medicine, DJF can boosts kidney and astringent essence, strengthen the spleen and kidney, exert diuretic effect, clear heat, stop eructation, and treat vomiting.
Aim of the review: Research on DJF has increased gradually in recent years, but reviews of its traditional uses, chemical composition, and pharmacological activities are scarce. The purpose of this review is to analyze the traditional uses, chemical composition, and pharmacological activities of DJF and provide an overview of the findings for further research and development of DJF resources.
Materials and methods: Data on DJF were obtained from different databases, including Scifinder, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Springer, Wiley, ACS, CNKI, Baidu Scholar, and Google Scholar; books; and Ph.D. and MSc theses.
Results: According to traditional Chinese medicine, DJF has astringent properties, inhibits bleeding and banding, strengthens the spleen and kidneys, acts as a sleeping aid by reducing anxiety, and relieves dysentery due to heat exposure. The components of DJF include flavonoids, phenolic acids, quinones, steroids, lignans, and volatile oils, which exhibit good antioxidant, antitumor, antidiabetic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and sedative-hypnotic properties, and present therapeutic potential for kidney diseases.
Conclusions: Based on its traditional use, chemical composition, and pharmacological activities, DJF is a promising source of natural medicine in the development of functional foods, drugs, and cosmetics.
Keywords: Chemical composition; Diaphragma juglandis fructus; Ethnopharmacology; Pharmacological effect; Research advances; Walnuts.
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