Phytochemical Properties and Biological Activities of Anacardium Species

Anacardium species, notably Anacardium occidentale (cashew), comprise a rich reservoir of secondary metabolites with diverse structural classes, including anacardic acids, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids and terpenoids. These compounds are distributed across nuts, apples, bark and leaves, and underlie a spectrum of bioactivities. Anacardic acids, characterised by a salicylic acid core with a variable C15 side chain, exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant and enzyme-modulating effects. Flavonoids such as catechin and epicatechin contribute to free-radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory responses. Phenolic acids like gallic and protocatechuic acids further enhance antioxidant capacity and modulate cellular signalling pathways. Biological activities documented for Anacardium extracts span antimicrobial efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, inhibition of digestive enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), cytotoxicity toward cancer cell lines and anti-inflammatory effects in animal models. The interplay between compound polarity, degree of unsaturation and functional groups dictates potency and selectivity. Emerging applications envisage development of nutraceutical formulations, topical anti-inflammatory agents and adjuncts to antimicrobial therapy. Standardised extraction, quantification and fractionation methods are critical for reproducible evaluation and translation of these phytochemicals into industrial and clinical contexts.

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Phytochemical Properties and Biological Activities of Anacardium Species publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytochemical properties and biological activities of anacardium species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Anacardic acids: Salicylic acid derivatives with a 15-carbon aliphatic side chain, responsible for antimicrobial and enzyme-modulating activities.

Flavonoids: Polyphenolic compounds characterised by a C6–C3–C6 structure, contributing to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Phenolic compounds: Aromatic molecules bearing one or more hydroxyl groups, notable for free-radical scavenging and metal-chelating properties.

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC): A separation technique for quantifying and purifying phytochemicals based on interactions with a stationary phase under high pressure.

Genotoxicity: The capacity of a substance to damage DNA or chromosomes, assessed to ensure safety of bioactive preparations.

References

1. Validation of a Method for Anacardic Acid Quantification in Cashew Peduncles via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to a Diode-Array Detector. Foods (2023).
2. An Integrated Approach to the Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Genotoxic Potential of Portuguese Traditional Preparations from the Bark of Anacardium occidentale L.. Plants (2024).
3. Fractionation, identification of chemical constituents, and biological properties of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) leaf extracts. Food Science & Nutrition (2023).