Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacological potential of the genus Diospyros

Diospyros species are deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of various communities across the globe. Their fruits and timber are among the most widely used natural resources from the genus, serving both ornamental and medicinal purposes. Traditionally, they have been employed to treat a range of health conditions, including leprosy, skin disorders, eye infections, cough, fever, diarrhea, dysentery, malaria, and other ailments.

This review aims to provide an updated overview of the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacological potential of Diospyros species.

The analysis was conducted using more than 500 scientific documents, including research articles, reviews, and patents, sourced from reputable databases such as SciFinder, Reaxys, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, using the keyword "Diospyros" along with filters such as "natural products," "antimicrobial," "cytotoxic," "antidiabetic," "analgesic," "anti-inflammatory," and "biological evaluation." The literature review covers reports on Diospyros species published up to January 2025.

Since the last major phytochemical review of the genus in 1998, approximately 350 additional compounds have been described. These include simple naphthalenes, naphthoquinones, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, coumarins, and lignans. All plant organs have also been the subject of biological activities that stretch to antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, hepatoprotective, analgesic, neuroprotective, antipyretic, and cardioprotective actions. Among these, naphthoquinones, flavonoids, and triterpenes emerged as the most biologically active classes.

Interest in Diospyros species has surged in recent years, largely due to scientific validation of many of its traditional medicinal uses. The pharmacological profile within the Diospyros genus is both broad and deep, with its most outstanding promise lying in the treatment of infectious diseases and cancer, primarily driven by its unique and largely landscape of naphthoquinones. The challenge and opportunity for future research lie in leveraging modern scientific approaches to understand the synergies within extracts, refine the active compounds for better selectivity and safety, and fully explore neglected areas like antiviral activity. Moreover, the isolation of bioactive alkaloids, the underrepresented phytochemicals from Diospyros species, should be envisaged.