kaki persimmon
Diospyros kaki · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Moderate (148 studies) · ★★★☆☆
Kaki persimmon, scientifically known as Diospyros kaki, is a versatile fruit-bearing tree valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Rich in vitamins A and C, its antioxidant-packed flesh supports immune health. Traditionally, various parts of the plant are utilized in folk medicine to treat inflammation and digestive issues.
- Family
- Ebenaceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Leaf · Fruit
- Common names
- Persimmon
- Scientific synonyms
- Embryopteris Kaki · Diospyros Kaki Var. Costata · 20 more
Names
Common Names
- persimmon
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Placa minero
- Locua
- Persimón japones
- Persimón japonés
- Locuá
- Persimon japonés
- Persimonio
- Guayacana
- Diospyros chinensis
- Persimon japones
- Caqui
- Kaki
German:
- Kaki
- Scharonfrucht
- Persimone
- Sharoni
- Persimon
- Sharonfrucht
- Kakipflaume
- Sharon
- Honigapfel
- Kakibaum
- Chinesische Dattelpflaume
- Japanische Persimone
- Lotuspflaume
French:
- plaqueminier
- figuier caque
- Kaki
- Plaqueminier
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Diospyros kakiSynonyms
- Embryopteris kaki
- Diospyros kaki var. costata
- Diospyros kaki var. mazelii
- Diospyros kaempferi
- Diospyros kaki var. sahuti
- Diospyros costata
- Diospyros kaki var. silvestris
- Diospyros argyi
- Diospyros kaki var. aurantium
- Diospyros kaki var. macrantha
- Diospyros kaki var. domestica
- Diospyros amara
- Diospyros kaki var. elliptica
- Diospyros kaki var. lycopersicon
- Diospyros mazelii
- Diospyros bertii
- Diospyros lycopersicon
- Diospyros wieseneri
- Diospyros schi-tse
- Diospyros roxburghii
- Diospyros trichocarpa
- Diospyros sphenophylla
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Diospyros kaki, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Ericales, it is further categorized into the family Ebenaceae. Ultimately, it is placed under the genus Diospyros.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Ebenaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Diospyros | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. In Southeastern Europe, its presence can be noted specifically within Bulgaria. The species also extends into the Caucasus region, particularly throughout the Transcaucasus area. Within China, it is found across diverse territories including China North-Central and China South-Central. Furthermore, its range reaches the southern island province of Hainan.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| Caucasus | Transcaucasus | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Diospyros kaki, features various components that contribute to its botanical profile. The structure is supported by sturdy stalks that connect the foliage to the main stem. Its lush green leaves provide the primary surface area for photosynthesis, while the broader green leaves often showcase a vibrant texture. The fruit itself is a key feature, characterized by a protective peel that encases the nutrient-rich fruit pulp inside.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Frontiers in chemistry (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fruit | Journal of medicinal food (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Diospyros kaki has 51 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, polyphenols, quercetin, 3alpha,19alpha-dihydroxyurs-12,20(30)-dien-24,28-dioic acid, 3alpha,19alpha-dihydroxyurs-12-en-24,28-dioic acid.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Flavonoids | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3alpha,19alpha-dihydroxyurs-12,20(30)-dien-24,28-dioic acid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3alpha,19alpha-dihydroxyurs-12-en-24,28-dioic acid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ARABINOGALACTAN | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aloe vera | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Astragalin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Betulin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CHLOROGENIC ACID | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Flavonoids
- Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
polyphenols
- Talanta
- BMC complementary and alternative medicine
quercetin
- Journal of separation science
- Drug and chemical toxicology
3alpha,19alpha-dihydroxyurs-12,20(30)-dien-24,28-dioic acid
- Journal of natural products
3alpha,19alpha-dihydroxyurs-12-en-24,28-dioic acid
- Journal of natural products
ARABINOGALACTAN
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Aloe vera
- PloS one
Astragalin
- Drug and chemical toxicology
Betulin
- Dr. Duke
CHLOROGENIC ACID
- Frontiers in chemistry
Activities
Diospyros kaki has 32 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antidiabetic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | Journal of separation science (and other 4 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | Dr. Duke (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | Dr. Duke (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | Journal of medicinal food (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AntiHIV | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticarcinomic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiedemic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Diospyros kaki has 28 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, antidiabetic, apoptosis.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| oxidative stress | Journal of natural medicines (and other 4 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular disease | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | Natural product research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apoptosis | Journal of natural medicines (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| atherosclerosis | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | BioFactors (Oxford, England) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cerebral arteriosclerosis | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cerebral infarction | Journal of natural medicines (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cerebral ischemia | Advances in pharmacological sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| "kaki-yô" | Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hexane extract | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavone from leaves of Diospyros kaki | Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| n-BuOH extract | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| persimmon tannin | Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |