Ziziphus lotus
Ziziphus lotus, commonly known as the lotus jujube, is a resilient, thorny shrub native to North Africa and the Middle East. Renowned for its medicinal properties, this plant is used in traditional healing to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues, offering valuable bioactive compounds for modern pharmacology.
- Scientific name: Ziziphus lotus
- Family: Rhamnaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Rosales and the family Rhamnaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Ziziphus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Rhamnaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ziziphus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several key regions. In Southwestern Europe, its presence is notably recorded in Spain. Its distribution extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically within the territories of Greece and Sicilia. Furthermore, the species is well-established across Northern Africa. This African coverage includes significant populations found in both Algeria and Egypt.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Western Sahara | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
Chemicals
Ziziphus lotus has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, polyphenols, quinic acid, Hydroxymethylfurfural, ash.
- Total chemicals
- 24
- Scientific sources
- 28
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quinic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hydroxymethylfurfural | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ash | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carotenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| condensed tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fat | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatty acids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ziziphus lotus has 9 reported activities identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Analgesic, Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antispasmodic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Litholytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Nephroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ziziphus lotus has 15 reported medicinal uses identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include COVID 19, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus.
- Total uses
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| COVID 19 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Listeria monocytogenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Salmonella typhimurium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bronchitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infectious diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| liver diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |