Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: “A Review of Dietary Ziziphus jujuba Fruit (Jujube): Developing Health Food Supplements for Brain Protection.” The hydroalcoholic extract of jujube at 200–400mg/kg was applied onto acute and chronic rat models of inflammation. The study revealed that jujube extract markedly declined granuloma tissue formation, as compared with model rat. Serum nitrite/nitrate level was notably up regulated in inflammatory rat; while pre-treatment with jujube significantly reduced the increased level of nitrite/nitrate ( Goyal et al., 2011). These findings suggest the anti-inflammatory effects of jujube. In line with this, the applied jujube extract at 100–500μg/ml inhibited nitric oxide production and splenocyte proliferation on the inflammatory activated cells ( Yu et al., 2012). The excessive induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, i.e., IL-1β and IL-6, also contributes to chronic inflammation. In the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages, the pre-treatment with jujube water extract repressed the expressions of IL-1β and IL-6 ( Chen et al., 2014a). Besides, the triterpene acid fraction of jujube at a dose higher than 10μg/ml was able to inhibit the production TNF-α ( Yu et al., 2012). NF-κB is one of main transcription factors that has vital role in controlling pro-inflammatory cytokine production ( Du et al., 2013). The treatment with jujube extract slightly inhibited NF-κB activity. On the other hand, the pre-treatment with jujube water extract (0–3mg/ml) for 3h in cultured macrophages, before the addition of LPS at 1μg/ml for 24h, dose-dependently repressed the activation of NF-κB activity. The reduction at 60% was observed under the pre-treatment of extract at 3mg/ml ( Chen et al., 2014a). In parallel, the anti-inflammatory property of jujube was shown in colitis-associated colon cancer mice ( Periasamy et al., 2020). In this study, mice were injected with azoxymethane followed by three cycles of dextran sulfate sodium, as to induce colitis-associated colon, before the intake of jujube extract for 70days. The results showed that dietary jujube intake could attenuate inflammation in model mice. Moreover, the extract of jujube markedly inhibited the protein expressions of IL-6, NF-κB, JAK1, and STAT3 in colon tissues, as compared with model group. This result suggests that jujube can suppress the stimulation of NF-κB/IL-6/JAK1/STAT3 signaling ( Periasamy et al., 2020). Jujube in Blood Circulation Jujube polysaccharide has been reported to improve hematological parameters in anemic animal models. Mice of blood deficiency model were induced by releasing blood and injection of cyclophosphamide. The levels of RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit were decreased, and the level of platelet was increased in model mice, as compared to control group. Compared with model mice, the decreased levels of RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit were reversed by treatment with jujube extract; while the increased level of platelet however was down regulated in jujube-treated mice ( Xu et al., 2004). In another investigation, the activities of dietary jujube on the levels of RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit were analyzed in colitis-associated colon cancer mice. These hematopoietic parameters in cancer mice were significantly decreased, as compared to control group; however, which were markedly increased in the jujube-treated mice ( Periasamy et al., 2020), suggesting possible beneficial effects of this fruit on cancer patients suffering from anemia. Besides, the extract of jujube possessed the ability to stimulate the activity of ATPase, i.e., Na+-K+-ATPase, Ca 2+-ATPase and Ca 2+-Mg 2+-ATPase, in erythrocyte, and therefore which was shown to promote bone marrow nuclear proliferation and to inhibit atrophy thymus and spleen in blood deficient animals ( Miao et al., 2006; Miao et al., 2010). Moreover, the intake of jujube extract (100–400mg/kg) was found to increase the level of EPO in blood circulation, which suggested that jujube might promote RBC level through up regulation of EPO production. In support of this notion, the applied jujube extract at concentrations of 0.75–3mg/ml in cultured Hep3B cells for 48h increased the expression of EPO transcription, and the increase was shown to be in a dose-dependent manner ( Chen et al., 2014b). In parallel, the applied jujube extract was able to stimulate the protein expression of EPO, giving ∼50% increase of the total protein ( Lam et al., 2016). The circulating EPO is produced by adult kidney cells; while kidney dysfunction contributes to inadequate amount of EPO production and renal anemia. In ibuprofen-induced nephrotoxicity rats, the intake of jujube extract (500mg/kg) improved kidney function by declining the levels of creatinine and urea, and this treatment could prevent histopathological damages of kidney ( Awad et al., 2014). On the other hand, the intake of Jian-Pi-Yi-Shen, a Chinese herbal decoction comprising of Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Cistanches Herba, and other four herbs, was able to improve renal function and kidney injury in anemia rats suffering from chronic kidney disease ( Chen et al., 2019). Jian-Pi-Yi-Shen improved the hematological parameters and stimulated EPO production ( Chen et al., 2019). Massive EPO-producing cells are identified in the renal interstitium. The occurrence of renal interstitial fibrosis is accompanied by decrease of fibroblasts, which impairs the production of EPO. Moreover, Jian-Pi-Yi-Shen was believed to ameliorate renal interstitial fibrosis, and the renal recovery might be related to improvement of EPO production. Thus, the function of jujube in promoting EPO expression in renal anemia patients was in line to that of Jian-Pi-Yi-Shen ( Chen et al., 2019). This assumption requires further studies as to confirm the ability of jujube to prevent/treat renal anemia through regulation of EPO production.

Sometimes pieces of jujube fruit are preserved by storing them in a jar filled with baijiu (Chinese liquor), which allows them to be kept fresh for a long time, especially through the winter. Such jujubes are called zui zao (醉枣; literally "drunk jujube"). The fruit is also a significant ingredient in a wide variety of Chinese delicacies (e.g. 甑糕 jing gao, a steamed rice cake).a b "jujube". Oxford English Dictionary (Onlineed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.) As investigated in Figure 2, CAP treatment can effectively reduce the weight loss of jujube, but this has no concern with moisture content changes. The reason might be due to there were higher content bound water than free water in jujube, and the bound water combined with cell wall polysaccharides and macromolecules was hard to dislodge ( 41, 42). Besides, the high relative humidity can restrain the water diffusion from peel to air under a stable pressure difference, which already verified by ( 43– 45). Jujube fruit is also commonly found dried. These dried Chinese jujubes are known as red dates. The dried fruits can be eaten directly, but they’re also often cooked into soups and tea. Dried red dates can be used in place of raisins or palm date fruits in cakes and other desserts.

Herbal cuisine is a practice in achieving the therapeutic functions by using natural herbs, especially the edible and medicinal dual-purpose herbs as materials during cooking processes. Jujube has been considered as a favorite fruit in daily life for its health properties spanning thousands of years. In practice of herbal cuisine, jujube is one of common materials that is considered as boosting or nourishing type of food. It can be taken into decoction for daily consumption, or which can be taken together with other foods to prepare delicious soup. According to the aforesaid cellular and animal findings, jujube has a promising potential in developing medicinal food and supplement for prevention against anemia, cancer, inflammation and iron/vitamin deficiency.Jujube is a rich source of potassium, which is required for maintaining your blood pressure. It relaxes your blood vessels and regulates blood flow preventing you falling prey to hypertension. You can add jujube in your diet, which fulfill the 15% daily recommended dose of potassium. 7. Powers the Immune System Witch's broom, prevalent in China and Korea, is the main disease affecting jujubes, though plantings in North America currently are not affected by any pests or diseases. [15] In Europe, the last several years have seen some 80%–90% of the jujube crop eaten by insect larvae (see picture), including those of the false codling moth, Thaumatotibia (Cryptophlebia) leucotreta. [16] The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. Publisher’s Note The H 2O 2 content was carried out based on titanium sulfate colorimetric method, with slight modifications ( 38). First, 0.1 g of freeze-dried jujube powder was decolored using 2 ml pre-cooled acetone, accompanied by grinding for 1 min. The mixture (∼2 ml) was collected, the residual jujube powder in mortar was washed by another 3 ml acetone, and 5 ml of jujube-acetone mixture was obtained. After centrifugation at 5,600 × g for 15 min, 1 ml of supernatant was added to a 2-ml tube, and 100 μl of 5 % titanous sulfate regnant and 200 μl of ammonium hydroxide were successively added. After reaction for 5 min and centrifuged at 5,600 × g for 10 min, the precipitate was preserved and used for next procedure. Finally, the precipitate was washed by acetone for two times and 1.5 ml of 2 M vitriol solution was added. The absorbance value of 150 μl reaction solution was obtained at 415 nm. The standard curve was built using different concentrations of H 2O 2 solution by the same processing. The results were expressed as mmol kg –1 dry weight (mmol kg –1 DW). Early animal studies have found that jujube extract may interact with some seizure medications, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbitone.

When products like jujube are used for certain purposes over hundreds of years, there’s often good reason for it,” says registered dietitian Sarah Thomsen Ferreira, RD, LD. “Foods tend to gain a reputation for a reason, so their historical use can be informative. Research data on Jujube in human health, however, is limited.” The ultimate source of the name is Ancient Greek ζίζυφον zízyphon. [8] This was borrowed into Classical Latin as zizyphum (used for the fruit) and zizyphus (the tree). A descendant of the Latin word into a Romance language, which may have been French jujube or medieval Latin jujuba, in turn gave rise to the common English jujube. [3] This name is not related to jojoba, which is a loan from Spanish jojoba, itself borrowed from hohohwi, the name of that plant in a Native American language. [9] [ which?] Jujube has long been used in China and other parts of Asia as a remedy for insomnia, anxiety and more. But major scientific research on jujube’s effects has yet to materialize. Some small studies at the cellular level and in non-human models have shown some promise, but much more is yet to be understood about the health benefits of jujube. The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. Supplementary Material Thomsen Ferreira explains what we know and what we have yet to learn about jujube’s benefits. Nutritional benefitsAccordingly, the objective of this study was to apply CAP pretreatment to delay ripening and senescence of jujube. Finally, our work will provide a theoretical support for proposing CAP as an effective storage and preservation strategy for jujube fruit. Materials and Methods Jujube Processing The original contributions presented in this study are included in the article/ Supplementary Material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors. Author Contributions All data were collected, recorded, and calculated by Excel 2016. Every figure was plotted using Origin 8.5, 2019b version. Moreover, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tools including least-significant difference (LSD) and Waller-Duncan were used to compare and label statistically differences between groups. The results were recorded as mean ± SD (standard deviation) and p< 0.05 represented the significant differences. Results Surface Morphology The total native aerobic bacterial count was determined by the National Food Safety Standards of China (GB 4789.2-2016), with slight modifications. A total of 5 jujubes were separately cut into slices, diluted with desterilized normal saline (0.9 % NaCl) at a ratio of 1:10, and tapped for 2 min to prepare the original TAB solution. About 100 μl of above solution was spread on the plate count agar (PCA) medium, cultured at 37 ± 1°C for 48 h. The plates with the number of colonies between 30 and 300 CFU were recorded. Each value was obtained two times by technical replications, and the result was averaged by three values. The results were expressed as log 10 CFU g –1. Antioxidant Activity Determination We tend to think of cherries as antioxidant superfoods, so to see such a high content of phenols in jujube is pretty significant,” Thomsen Ferreria says.

Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert. "A Greek-English Lexicon, ζίζυ High in antioxidants. Jujube fruits are a rich source of compounds such as flavonoids, polysaccharides, and triterpenic acids. Some of these compounds have antioxidant properties.

In Croatia, especially Dalmatia, jujubes are used in marmalades, juices, and rakija (fruit brandy). Its precise natural distribution is uncertain due to extensive cultivation, but its origin is thought to be in southwest Asia, between Lebanon, northern India, and southern and central China, and possibly also southeastern Europe though more likely introduced there. [5] It grows wild but is also a garden shrub, kept for its fruit. Jujube are naturally sweet, and heralded as a superfood in Chinese medicine and diet - they are very high in vitamins, and are believed to help build up strength - the yang side of the ying yang balance. These red jujube dates are seedless, meaning you don't have to pit them before eating. May help with digestion and constipation. Jujube has high fiber content. A 100-gram serving of dried jujube has 6 grams of dietary fiber.