Abstract

Juglans regia Linn is a medicinal plant that has been widely used in traditional medicine for a wide array of ailments that include helminthiasis, diarrhea, sinusitis, stomachache, arthritis, asthma, eczema, scrofula, skin disorders, and various endocrine diseases such as diabetes mellitus, anorexia, thyroid dysfunctions, cancer and infectious diseases. The present review, attempts to provide comprehensive information on the ethnobotanical use, pharmacology, nutritional value, preclinical and clinical studies, toxicity, other uses and current research prospects of the Juglans regia L. Currently, there is a renewed interest in walnut, and several investigations aimed at scientific validation of its traditional uses and a humble scientific investigation aimed at isolation and identification of active constituents of crude extracts. 

Key words: Juglans regia, nutritional value, bioactivity, clinical trial, traditional use, toxicity

Abbreviation

FAs, Fatty acids; PUFAs, polyunsaturated fatty acids; AA, amino acid; MICs, minimum inhibitory concentrations; IC₅₀, half maximal inhibitory concentration; TMV, tobacco mosaic virus; DPPH, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; CCl₄, carbon tetrachloride; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; GSH, glutathione; GR, glutathione reductase; GOT, glutamyl oxaloacetic transaminase; GPT, glutamyl pyruvic transaminase; TG, triglycerides; EDV, endothelium-dependent vasodilation; CP, cyclophosphamide.