title: Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) leaves: a review on traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) leaves, known as Shi Ye (in Chinese), have a long history as a Chinese traditional medicine for the treatment of ischemia stroke, angina, internal hemorrhage, hypertension, atherosclerosis and some infectious diseases, etc. Additionally, persimmon leaves could be used as healthy products, cosmetics and so on, which have become increasingly popular in Asia, such as Japan, Korea and China etc.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present paper reviewed the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, analytical methods, biological activities and toxicology of persimmon leaves in order to assess the ethnopharmacological use and to explore therapeutic potentials and future opportunities for research.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information on persimmon leaves were gathered via the Internet (using Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, Elsevier, ACS, Pudmed, Web of Science, CNKI and EMBASE) and libraries. Additionally, information was also obtained from some local books.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Persimmon leaves have played an important role in Chinese system of medicines. The main compositions of persimmon leaves were flavonoids, terpenoids, etc. Scientific studies on extracts and formulations revealed a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as, antioxidative, hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, antibacterial, hemostasis activities and effects on cardiovascular system. Based on the pharmacological activities, persimmon leaves were widely used in clinic including treatment of cardiovascular disease, hemostasis, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and beauty treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Persimmon leaves probably have therapeutic potential in the prevention and treatment for cerebral arteriosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension. It showed significant neuroprotection against ischemia/reperfusion injury in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, it can regulate immune function and inhibite inflammation. Further investigations are needed to explore individual bioactive compounds responsible for these pharmacological effects in vitro and in vivo and the mode of actions. Further safety assessments and clinical trials should be performed before it can be integrated into medicinal practices.
authors: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510006 Guangzhou, PR China.
authors: Chunyan
authors: C
authors: Xie
authors: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510006 Guangzhou, PR China.
authors: Zhisheng
authors: Z
authors: Xie
authors: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510006 Guangzhou, PR China. Electronic address: xxj2702@sina.com.
authors: Xinjun
authors: X
authors: Xu
authors: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510006 Guangzhou, PR China.
authors: Depo
authors: D
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D029788:Diospyros; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D008517:Phytotherapy; D018515:Plant Leaves
chemical_list: D064209:Phytochemicals
keywords: Cardiovascular effects; Diospyros kaki L.; Flavonoids; Isoquercetin (PubChem CID: 5280804); Kaempferol (PubChem CID: 5280863); Myricitrin (PubChem CID: 5281673); Oleanolic acid (PubChem CID: 10494); Persimmon leaves; Quercetin (PubChem CID: 5280343); Terpenoids; Ursolic acid (PubChem CID: 64945)