Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Capparis spinosa as a Medicinal Plant.

Over the past decades, there has been increasing attention on polyphenol-rich foods including fruits and vegetables on human health. Polyphenols have been shown to possess some potential beneficial effects on human health and they are widely found in foods consumed by populations worldwide. () is an important source of different secondary metabolites of interest to humankind. The traditional therapeutic applications of have been reported in Ancient Romans. Numerous bioactive phytochemical constituents have been isolated and identified from different parts (aerial parts, roots and seeds) of which are responsible alone or in combination for its various pharmacological activities. Therefore, this paper is a review of publications on the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of . There is insufficient evidence to suggest that or its extracts are able to improve the biomarkers of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, these studies used different parts of plant, methods of preparation and types of solvents, which cause the evaluation of activity of difficult and involve quite heterogeneous data. There is also evidence, although limited, to suggest benefits of in improving human health. Therefore, the relationship between and improved human health outcomes requires further study.