Jujube

Generic name: Ziziphus Jujuba Mill.
Brand names: Annab, Ber, Chinese Date, Daechu, Hei Zao, Hongzao, Jujube, Natume, Red Date, Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, Sour Date, Suanzaoren

Usage of Jujube

Both extracts and purified compounds have excellent biological activities, especially sedative and hypnotic effects. Other effects include ameliorating or improving learning and memory, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, blood pressure and lipid lowering, antiaging, and antitumor effects.(He 2020)

Anemia

Evidence for the development of jujube fruit as a supplementary product for prevention and/or treatment of anemia has been proposed.(Chen 2020) In addition, further investigation, production, and application of jujube polysaccharides in functional foods and therapeutic agents is foreseen.(Ji 2017)

CNS

Animal data

Jujube is used traditionally as an anxiolytic and sedative. Animal experiments using the saponin jujuboside and flavonoids from the fruits, as well as the seed extract, showed reductions in anxiety, impaired coordination and responses, and enhanced barbiturate-induced hypnotic effects.(Jiang 2007, Peng 2000, Shou 2002)

In a plant screening exercise, oleamide from a jujube extract given for 3 weeks atTenuated Scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice. A role in cognitive impairment disorders, such as that seen in Alzheimer disease, was suggested, as the jujube extract appeared to increase the activation of choline acetyltransferase.(Heo 2003)

A hydroalcoholic extract of Z. jujube has been shown to possess antiepileptic effects against induced seizures in rodents.(Pahuja 2012)

Clinical data

A role in the management of insomnia has been suggested in a review of pharmacological effects of the jujube seed, based on 2 small clinical studies.(Rodríguez Villanueva 2017) The chemistry and psychopharmacology of the seeds of the Z. jujuba plant, Ziziphus spinosa, has been reported. Whole extracts and constituent compounds have been evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies. Z. spinosa secondary metabolites have shown to modulate GABAergic activity and the serotonergic system. The actual therapeutic agents require further cOnfirmation/identification so that new insomnia phytomedicines can be discovered.(Shergis 2017)

A systematic review and meta-analysis of traditional herbal medicine (with Z. jujuba as the most frequently used herb) concluded that traditional herbal medicine may be an effective therapeutic option for insomnia in patients with cancer. However, considering the limited methodological qualities and inconsistent results of the included trials, further rigorous randomized controlled trials are required.(Yoon 2021)

Cancer

Animal and in vitro data

Ursonic acid (UNA) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid extracted from certain medicinal herbs such as Z. jujuba. UNA has promising potential to be developed into cancer- and protozoan-fighting pharmaceuticals.(Son 2020)

Studies using specific saponins, as well as ethyl acetate and water extracts of the fruit and bark, have explored the potential cytotoxicity of jujube. Apoptosis and differential cell cycle arrest are suggested to be responsible for the dose-Dependent reduction in cell viability. Activity against certain human cancer cell lines has been demonstrated in vitro.(Huang 2007, Lee 2004, Tahergorabi 2015, Vahedi 2008)

Contraceptive

An ethyl acetate extract of the plant bark had a contraceptive effect, as it arrested the normal estrus cycle of adult female mice and reduced the weight of the ovaries. The antisteroid action was reversed upon cessation of the extract supplementation.(Gupta 2004)

Drug-induced hepatotoxicity

A small pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial investigated the efficacy of Jujube syrup on the prevention of drug-induced hepatotoxicity in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients. This study suggested that jujube syrup could prevent anti-TB drug-induced hepatotoxicity and that it could also improve the severity of the patient's cough as well as the quality of life in pulmonary TB patients.(Maddahi 2022)

Gastrointestinal/Dyslipidemia

Animal data

Jujube fruit has traditionally been used as a paste, puree, or soup to enhance digestion. In animal experiments, jujube extract decreased GI transit time and increased fecal moisture content. Increased fatty acid concentration in the cecum and decreased fecal ammonia and bacterial enzyme activity in the feces were also measured.(Huang 2008)

Clinical data

In a small (N = 50) clinical trial, the symptoms of patients with chronic idiopathic constipation improved with daily consumption of jujube extract (average, 20 drops per day) versus placebo. Because of practical issues, GI transit times were not measured in the study.(Naftali 2008) Jujube extract may offer a safe natural laxative option.

A clinical study evaluated consumption of jujube fruit as a powder (5 g taken 3 times a day for 1 month) among 86 obese adolescents (12 to 18 years of age) with dyslipidemia. Decreased serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were reported, with no effect on other lipid indices, blood glucose, or BMI.(Sabzghabaee 2013)

Immunoregulatory

In vitro experiments in sheep and human blood suggest anticomplementary action of the tripenoids of ethylacetate fruit extracts.(Lee 2004, Chan 2005)

Z. jujube (3.9%) is an ingredient in the Chinese multi-preparation CKBM-A01 studied for immunological effect.(Maek-a-nantawat 2009)

Jujube side effects

Information is lacking. A clinical trial using extract of jujube reported no adverse effects and no changes to liver or kidney laboratory indices.Stewart 2004 Immunoglobulin E–mediated allergy with angioedema, generalized urticaria, asthma, and hypotension has been reported. A cross-Reactivity with latex is also suggested.Lombardi 2005

A hepatoprotective effect (reduction of serum bilirubin levels) has been reported in a review of pharmacological effects.Rodríguez Villanueva 2017

Before taking Jujube

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. A contraceptive action of a bark extract has been demonstrated in mice.Gupta 2004

How to use Jujube

Information on dosages for clinical applications is lacking. Bacterial contamination of imported jujube products remains an issue for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).(Stewart 2004)

In a clinical trial, up to 40 drops/day of extract were used in chronic idiopathic constipation.(Naftali 2008) For traditional GI uses, up to 50 g/day of dried fruit (equivalent to 4 g of extract) has been used.(Huang 2008) A clinical study evaluated consumption of 5 g powdered jujube fruit taken 3 times/day for 1 month in adolescents with dyslipidemia.(Sabzghabaee 2013) Doses of 10 mL/day of jujube syrup have also been used in a study evaluating drug-induced hepatotoxicity.(Maddahi 2022)

Warnings

Information is lacking. In mice, the suggested median lethal dose for the fruit is 14 g/kg body weight intraperitoneally; for the bark extract, the dose is 2.5 g/kg.Gupta 2004, Naftali 2008

What other drugs will affect Jujube

There has been a case report of a severe, acute serotonin reaction of venlafaxine with coadministration of jujube. Jujube 0.5 g/day was consumed regularly, and the reaction occurred after a single dose of venlafaxine 37.5 mg.Stewart 2004

Potentiation of effect of phenytoin and phenobarbitone in rodents has been reported. No effect on Carbamazepine was noted.Pahuja 2012

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