Loquat leaf health benefits
How Loquat leaf health benefits were found?
Loquat is an evergreen fruit-bearing tree, which belongs to the Rose (Rosaceae) family. The flower of this tree has a perfumery fragrance. [1] Southern China is the native place to Loquat. Since 2000 years China has cultivated for dietary purposes and also get high economic return due to a less competitive market. Presently, Loquat is commercially cultivated in different countries including Japan, Spain, Italy, India, Brazil, Turkey, Pakistan, and Israel. [2]
Loquat obtains a therapeutic place in traditional Chinese medicine for treating respiratory disorders like cough, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, inflammatory conditions, and cancer. Scientific evidence has also supported the therapeutic benefits of Loquat. Medicinal values of Loquat also mentioned in the Compendium of Materia Medica. [2]
Loquat leaf is a well-established cough remedy in the Eastern region of the country and a primary ingredient of many herbal patent medicines. Loquat leaf has multiple therapeutic benefits, such as anti-tussive, expectorant, analgesic, antiemetic, astringent, antibacterial, antiviral, and diuretic. [2]
What are the Phytochemicals present in Loquat leaf?
Different plant parts of Loquat do not contain the same phytochemical composition. The leaf and flowers of this plant contain a high amount of triterpenes and phenolic compounds, whereas the fruits of the Loquat are a rich source of carotenoids, sugars, flavonoids, organic acids, phenolic acids, and vitamins. Kernels of Loquat seeds supply starch, proteins, tannins, and minerals. [2]
What is the mode of action of Loquat leaf health benefits?
Ursolic acid is a type of triterpene acids present in Loquat leaf that has potent anti-inflammatory properties, which is effective to regulate the macrophages functioning present in alveolar tissues in the bronchi to treat chronic bronchitis. Scientists identified twelve triterpene acids present in Loquat leaf and these phytochemicals mainly exert anti-inflammatory. An animal research study provided evidence that Loquat leaf tea made up of freshly roasted Loquat leaves effective to reduce paw edema. [2]
Loquat leaf also has inhibited the secretion of different inflammatory mediators like TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 and smoothing the activation of the different cellular signaling pathways, such as NF-κB, p38Mitogen-activated protein kinases, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase. This regulatory effect helps to manage mast cell activation. [2]
Loquat leaf inhibits Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) stimulation to reduce the inflammatory expression.
Loquat leaf up-regulates the expression of an antioxidant enzyme such as Superoxide dismutase (SOD) in alveolar tissue and effective to control respiratory inflammation. Loquat leaf extracts also increase the glutathione peroxidase, SOD, and catalase activities in liver tissue to improve the free radical scavenging activity. [2]
Corosolic acid along with other the phytochemical present in loquat leaf inhibits 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1) enzyme for anti-diabetic effect. [2]
Ursolic acid and oleanolic acid present in Loquat leaf are effective to produce a cytotoxic effect by inhibiting inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9. [2]
Different Forms of Loquat leaf
Following are different forms of Loquat leaf supplement available in the market:
Loquat Leaves Tea: Used as a health-promoting supplement to prevent different chronic conditions.
Loquat Leaf Extract: This is used for the management of diabetes, liver health, alleviate respiratory problems.
Dried, chopped loquat leaf Packet: This can be used as Loquat leaf tea or extract preparation.
The recommended method for preparing Loquat leaf tea or extract is to add 4.5 to 12 grams of dried leaf in boiled water. [3]
However, no scientific study has yet recommended any specific dose for the Loquat leaf supplement.
Loquat leaf uses
Alleviate respiratory problems
The anti-inflammatory effect in alveolar tissues present in the bronchi helps to treat chronic bronchitis. Management of mast cell activation can help to prevent exaggeration of an allergic reaction including allergic asthma attacks. The potent antioxidant activity in alveolar tissue also effective in relieving respiratory symptoms. Scientific research has proven that the antifibrosis effect of Loquat leaf is effective to treat pulmonary fibrosis due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. [2]
Oral and skin health
Inhibition of LPS stimulation by treating with Loquat leaf extract leads to treating gingival fibroblasts which are effective to treat oral and skin inflammatory conditions. [2]
Anti-diabetic property
The anti-diabetic effect of Loquat leaf fermented tea product with a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight of the mice (study participants) showed blood glucose level suppression and a subsequent reduction of the serum insulin secretion. The anti-diabetic activity of Loquat leaf is effective against both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. [2]
Anticancer activity
The cytotoxic effect of Loquat leaf effective to provide anti-tumor and anti-cancer activity. This herb restricts cancer cell proliferation. Several research studies have proven that anticancer efficacy of Loquat leaf effective against estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer, leukemia due to suppression of tumor cells, immunomodulatory activity and restrict proliferation. [2]
Hepatoprotective activity
Loquat leaf has significant hepatoprotective activity due to its antioxidant properties. Loquat fruit extract inhibits the nitric oxide (inflammatory molecule) and reactive oxygen species (free radicals) formation in blood cells. This herb part increases antioxidant activity cellular viability in hepatic tissue. Loquat leaf significantly inhibits liver fibrosis development. [2]
Fatty liver is another common liver problem. Loquat leaf extracts alleviate the non-alcoholic fatty liver condition and prevent alcohol-related liver disease by improving antioxidant activity in liver tissue. [2]
Neurological protection
The strong antioxidant property of Loquat leaf also protects against neuronal deterioration. A laboratory study showed that Loquat leaf has protective action against neurodegenerative disorders by preventing the oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death. An animal research study reported that treatment with Loquat leaf could alter cognitive deficit condition and improves memory impairment and restores alternation behavior. [2]
Active against nephropathy
In general, the diminishing of glutathione levels in kidney and other renal tissue increase the organ-specific oxidative stress which causes nephropathy. An animal research study reported that the Loquat leaf ingestion improves kidney health and prevent nephropathy by increasing the level of glutathione enzyme activity and promotes antioxidant activity. [2]
Weight management
The anti-hyperlipidemic effect of Loquat leaf able to reduce body weight by reducing white adipose tissue amount, size of adipocytes. [2]
Heart health improvement
Loquat leaf has many beneficial effects to improve heart health such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant property. anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-thrombotic actions of Loquat leaf also prevent cardiac diseases. The anti-thrombotic potential of this herbal ingredient obtains by reducing the membrane glycoprotein thromboplastin tissue factor in the blood. [2]
Bone health protection
Loquat leaf has antiosteoporosis effect, which upholds the bone health. Ursolic acid present in Loquat leaf extract effective to inhibit osteoclast. [2]
Anti-allergic
Loquat leaf able to stabilize the mast cell stimulation in exposure to the allergen and thus it is a good therapeutic anti-allergic agent. [2]
Antinociceptive activity
Loquat leaf acts as an opioid agonist and showed excellent anti-nociceptive activity. [2]
Loquat leaf side effects
The Loquat leaf has relatively safe and has multiple health benefits obtained in a particular dose with a distinct treatment period. But excessive dose or long term treatment without consultation with herbal experts can provide side effect. A research study reported that Loquat leaf tea consumption for prolonged period markedly increase HDL level, but exerts also side effects symptoms like muscle weakness, muscle pain, and inflammatory condition of muscles due to development of toxic myopathy. [4]
References
- Loquat. Eriobotrya japonica. Natural Medicinal Herbs.
- Yilong Liu, Wenna Zhang, Changjie Xu, Xian Li. Biological Activities of Extracts from Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.): A Review.
- Loquat Leaf (pi pa ye). Herbs & Botanicals. Acupuncture today.
