Ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry of some representatives of the genus Prunus

Representatives of the Prunus genera, found in almost every country and continent, have been recognized not only for their delicious fruits nuts, but also because beneficial properties. To date, numerous cultivars phytochemically studied, leading to identification various compounds including terpenes, tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, carotenoids, fatty so on. Pharmacological studies on species revealed a variety bioactive potentials antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, brain protecting, other evidence based uses. This review covers articles, retrieved from scientific databases, using “Prunus” as search term (“all fields”) with specific time frame set search. Information about amygdalus, armeniaca, cerasifera, persica, domestica, avium, cerasus was selected summarized giving information ethnopharmacological uses, isolated phytochemicals, pharmacological activities.