Critical review on nutritional, bioactive and medicinal potential of Bunium persicum

Abstract

Bunium persicum Boiss. Fedtsch., a highly valued spice crop from the Apiaceae family, is renowned for its rich phytochemical profile, including compounds such as cuminaldehyde, α-terpinene-7-al, γ-terpinene-7-al, γ-terpinene, p-cymene, and β-pinene. These bioactive constituents contribute to its diverse therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, lipid and glucose-lowering, and anti-carcinogenic activities. Due to its limited growth in specific wild regions and over-exploitation,B. persicum faces significant conservation challenges, both in vitro and in situ. In India, its primary hotspots are in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. This review provides a comprehensive examination ofB. persicum’s functional properties, with a focus on its traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities, highlighting the need for its conservation and sustainable use.

Keywords

Bunium persicum / bioactive compound / cuminaldehyde / essential oils

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