Longan - NutraPedia

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Longan: An Overview of Its Potential Health Implications

1. Studied Conditions

Longan, scientifically known as Dimocarpus longan, has been studied for various conditions. Some of these include:

Anxiety
Memory improvement
Insomnia
Antioxidant effects
Anti-inflammatory effects

2. Efficacy in Treating Conditions

The effectiveness of longan in treating these conditions is not yet conclusively proven. While traditional medicine and some early research suggest potential benefits, more rigorous scientific studies are needed to establish its efficacy. As of now, it should not replace conventional treatment options.

3. Health Benefits

Longan is attributed with several health benefits, including:

Rich in Vitamin C, which contributes to immune defense
Contains antioxidants that may protect cells from damage
May have a calming effect, potentially aiding sleep and reducing anxiety
Potential to improve cognitive function

4. Potential Downsides

Despite the possible health benefits, longan may have downsides, such as:

Overconsumption can lead to excessive sugar intake
May cause allergic reactions in some individuals
Insufficient evidence on long-term safety for pregnant and breastfeeding women

5. Genetic Variations and Longan

Currently, there is limited research on the relationship between genetic variations and the impact of longan on health. As such, it is unclear whether it is particularly beneficial or harmful for individuals with specific genetic variations. Personalized nutritional genomics is an emerging field, and future studies may provide more insights.

Research Summary on Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.)

Antioxidant Properties and Chronic Disease Protection

The antioxidant capabilities of longan seed extract were examined, showcasing polyphenolic compounds such as corilagin, gallic acid, and ellagic acid that contribute to the extract's free radical scavenging activity. The Edor cultivar, in particular, presented high antioxidant activity, with some extracts comparable to Japanese green tea. Additionally, tyrosinase inhibitory activity suggests potential use in natural skin-whitening products.

Longan Flower Extracts: Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects

Water and ethanolic extracts from longan flowers were found to possess antioxidative effects parallel to well-known antioxidants such as gallic acid and epigallocatechin gallate. These extracts, rich in phenolic compounds, showed significant anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide production, hinting at their potential as natural dietary antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.

Memory Enhancement Potential in Mice

A study on the aqueous extract of Euphoria longan fruit indicated memory improvement in mice, possibly related to the upregulation of proteins associated with memory and learning. This finding supports the traditional use of longan fruit in Chinese medicine.

Phenolic Compounds in Longan Seeds

Using HPLC-ESI-MS analysis, a variety of phenolic compounds were identified in longan seeds, positioning them as a source of bioactive compounds with health benefits. The seeds were also found to have high contents of ellagic acid and ellagitannins, suggesting their value as a source of natural antioxidants.

Antitumor Activity of Corilagin

Corilagin, a compound found in longan and other plants, was identified to have significant antitumor activity, especially against liver cancer cells. Longan was highlighted for its high content of corilagin compared to other plant species.

Anxiolytic and Analgesic Effects

An extract from the Arillus of the longan fruit demonstrated significant anxiolytic-like effects in mice, with adenosine pinpointed as the active component responsible for the anti-anxiety effect.

Obesity and Lipid Levels in Rats

Longan flower water extract (LFWE) was shown to have antiobesity and hypolipidemic effects on rats fed a high-calorie diet, leading to reductions in body weight and improved lipid profiles, likely due to decreased pancreatic lipase activity and modulation of genes involved in fat metabolism.

γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) in Longan Fruit

Precooling and controlled-atmosphere storage affected the accumulation of GABA in longan fruit, with certain storage conditions helping to delay fruit softening and browning while influencing GABA concentrations and enzyme activities related to its production.

Immunomodulatory Effects

A polysaccharide-protein complex from longan fruit pulp (LP3) showed significant immunomodulatory effects, improving antibody production and enhancing various immune responses in immunosuppressed mice.

Antioxidant Oligosaccharides and Polysaccharides

Oligosaccharides extracted from longan pericarp and polysaccharides from longan seed showed strong antioxidant properties, with the potential to neutralize free radicals and protect against oxidative damage.

Phytochemical Bioactive Compounds

Longan fruit peel, pulp, and seed extracts were rich in gallic acid, corilagin, and ellagic acid, with significant variations in phenolic levels across different tissues and cultivars. Bioactive compounds from these parts of the fruit have health-promoting potential.

Longan Seed Extract for Hyperuricemia

Longan seed extract was effective in reducing serum uric acid levels by inhibiting xanthine oxidase activity and modulating urate transporters, offering support for its traditional use in treating gout and related conditions.

Longan Flower Extract as Hypouricemic Agent

Longan flower extract showed strong xanthine oxidase-inhibitory activity and effectively reduced plasma uric acid levels in hyperuricemic mice, suggesting its potential as a hypouricemic agent.

Anti-cancer Potential

Longan flower extract inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer cells and induced apoptosis, while longan seed polyphenols also showed promise in preventing and treating colorectal cancer by affecting cell cycle regulation and promoting apoptosis.

Longan Extract in Bone Formation

Longan fruit extract was found to stimulate osteoblast differentiation, enhancing bone formation through the ERK signaling pathway, indicating its potential as a herbal treatment for osteoporosis.

Safety Assessment

Safety assessments through acute and repeated oral dosing in animals showed no adverse effects from longan seed extract, suggesting its safety for consumption, though further studies are recommended.

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