Actinidia arguta: Biological and Health Promoting Properties-Analysis of Bioactive Components

Actinidia arguta, also known as mini kiwi (due to its small size) or hardy kiwi (due to its frost resistance), is becoming an increasingly popular fruit alongside its commercially older siblings, i.e., A. deliciosa (green kiwi fruit) and A. chinensis (golden kiwifruit), from the Actinidiaceae family. This review paper discusses the biological and pharmacological properties of A. arguta fruits, with a special focus on methods of the bioactive component analysis. Mini kiwi is a valuable source of bioactive compounds, which contribute to its health-promoting properties, among others: antioxidant, neuroprotective, anticholinergic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiobesity as well as antiatherosclerotic ones. They are briefly discussed, illustrating the action of bioactive ingredients and the methods of analysis, which are presented in the tables. This review includes a concise characterization of A. arguta and updates the current field of knowledge about its diverse biological activities, which are undoubtedly related to the content of bioactive components and the methods used for their isolation and analysis. The information included in this review paper will be helpful in perceiving mini kiwi not only as a tasty fruit but also as a source of bioactive ingredients with beneficial, health-promoting effects on the body. Effective isolation of these components can contribute to the future development of antiaging and anticancer drugs, which undoubtedly will lead to further research and promote this species.