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Phytochemicals and its pharmacological activities
Walnut is a good source of essential fatty acids and tocopherols and is found to contain
several potential neuroprotective compounds such as gamma tocopherol (vitamin E), long-
chain omega-3 fatty acids. Also, research carried out earlier had revealed its role on treatment
of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (Subhan and Bagchi, 2017; Muthaiyah et al., 2014).
Walnut is rich source of phenolic acids, and tannins (Martinez et al., 2010). The detailed
summary of the active constituents of Juglans regia L. is represented and illustrated in (Table
2 and Fig. 6.). The oil obtained from walnut contains majorly triacylglycerols which
comprises of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids
(MUFAs). Oil of walnut also contains linoleic acid and oleic acids. Saturated fatty acids
present are Stearic acid and palmitic acid. Some other compounds are Magnesium, Calcium,
Potassium, Phosphorous, Manganese, Sodium are present in kernels (Subhan and Bagchi,
2017; Muthaiyah et al., 2014).
Pharmacological Uses
The various phytopharmacological uses reported from time to time by different researchers. It
has been reported that the due to presence of bioactive molecules in different plant parts are
responsible for the medicinal and pharmacological properties of walnut (Figure 6 and Table
2).
Antibacterial activity
Many researchers reported antibacterial activity of walnut extracts by using agar streak and
disc diffusion methods. The aqueous extract of leaves, bark, fruits and fruits green husk
obtained in hot and cold solvent resulted into antibacterial activity when tested against the
gram+ and gram- strains of bacterial cultures (Deshpande et al., 2011; Poyrazolu et al., 2010).
The aqueous extract obtained from bark, green husk and leaves shows negligible
antimycobacterial activity. This antimycobacterial on the other hand exhibited by extract
obtained from hexane and methanol using Soxhlet extractor (Cruz-Vega et al., 2008). The
chloroform and aqueous extract of walnut shows microbicidal activity on air microorganisms
also the leaves extract is very much beneficial in treat acne on skin against
Propionibacterium acne which causes acne on skin and other acne causing bacteria (Qa'dan et
al., 2005b). The use of natural antimicrobial compounds in food preservatives are preferred
over chemical preservatives to avoid their side effects in food and Hence increase more
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