Phytochemical Properties and Bioactivity of Prunus Mume Extracts

Prunus mume exhibits a rich assemblage of phytochemicals that includes phenolic acids (such as caffeic, chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acids), flavonoids, organic acids (including citric, malic and quinic acids), amygdalin and polysaccharides. Advanced extraction and analysis techniques—such as global natural products social (GNPS) molecular networking, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and tandem mass spectrometry—have revealed diverse secondary metabolites which underpin its biological activities. Key bioactivities encompass potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects through scavenging of reactive oxygen species and inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. Vascular benefits include endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation mediated via nitric oxide–cyclic GMP and prostacyclin pathways, alongside modulation of potassium channels. Cardioprotective and neuroprotective actions stem from attenuation of oxidative stress and apoptosis, while antithrombotic properties arise from inhibition of platelet aggregation and inflammatory signalling. Pharmacokinetic profiling of multiple constituents highlights variable absorption and bioavailability, informing dosing strategies for functional foods, nutraceuticals and potential therapeutic applications. The global significance of Prunus mume spans cardiovascular health, metabolic regulation and inflammatory disease management, bridging traditional medicine and modern phytopharmacology.

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Phytochemical Properties and Bioactivity of Prunus Mume Extracts publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytochemical properties and bioactivity of prunus mume extracts across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Phenolic compounds: A class of secondary metabolites with one or more hydroxylated aromatic rings, responsible for antioxidant activity.

Vasorelaxation: The process of blood vessel smooth muscle relaxation, leading to vessel dilation and reduced blood pressure.

Molecular networking: An analytical approach that organises mass spectrometry data into networks based on structural similarity to prioritise bioactive compounds.

UPLC-MS/MS: Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, a sensitive method for quantifying multiple phytochemicals in biological samples.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen, which at high levels cause oxidative stress and cellular damage.

References

1. Molecular Networking-Guided Isolation of a Phenolic Constituent from Prunus mume Seed and Its Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities. Foods (2023).
2. Vascular Relaxation and Blood Pressure Lowering Effects of Prunus mume in Rats. Bioengineering (2023).
3. Comprehensive Review of Phytochemical Constituents, Pharmacological Properties, and Clinical Applications of Prunus mume. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2021).
4. Multi-component pharmacokinetic study of prunus mume fructus extract after oral administration in rats using UPLC-MS/MS. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2022).
5. Vasorelaxant Effect of Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc. Branch through the Endothelium-Dependent Pathway. Molecules (2019).
6. Antiplatelet mechanism of an herbal mixture prepared from the extracts of Phyllostachys pubescens leaves and Prunus mume fruits. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2017).