The botanical, chemical and pharmacological properties of syzygium species / Mohamad Fariz Hashim

Syzygium cumini, commonly known as black plum, jambolan or jamun, is a plant native to India. Annually, the trees produce in clusters, round or oblong fruits. They are green when raw and purplish black when fully ripe. The leaves are oblong-oval elliptic shape with leathery and glossy features when it matured. Studies have shown that S. cumini is rich in phytochemicals like anthocyanins, glycosides, tannins and various minerals that contribute to the pharmacological properties of this plant. Various extracts from different parts of S. cumini were reported for its antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antivirus, antifungal, antiinflammatory, antidiarrheal, gastroprotective, neuropsychopharmacological, gastroprotective and other activities. In this methodology, the phytochemical screening and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) were involved to identify the presence of natural compounds. It is concluded that phytoconstituents such as phenol, terpene and saponins were present in the methanol extract of leaves, branch and bark of S. cumini.