A Review of Phytochemical Compounds and Therapeutic Properties of Juglans regia L. Case study: Kerman Province

Subject Areas :

Shahab Ojani ^{1 *} , Seyed Mohammad Reza Hosseinipour ² , Mozhgan Masoudi ³

1 - Young Researchers And Elite Club, Department of Chemistry, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon Branch, Tonekabon, Iran.
2 - Department of Economics, Raf. C., Islamic Azad University, Rafsanjan, Iran
3 -

Received: 2025-08-21 Accepted : 2025-09-17 Published : 2025-09-21

Keywords: Juglans regia L., Phytochemical compounds, Antioxidant activities, Cancer,

Abstract :

Numerous studies have shown that plants of the Juglandaceae family contain valuable compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has listed walnuts as one of the top ten food products due to their nutritional value and health benefits. Free radical species can cause irreversible damage to vital molecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids. Antioxidants protect biological systems from this damage by neutralizing the activity of free radicals. Walnuts (Juglans regia L.) from the Juglandaceae family are a widely consumed nut due to their rich nutritional content and valuable oils. Walnut kernels are rich in phytochemical compounds with antioxidant properties that can be beneficial to human health. These compounds can be used as a preventative factor against various diseases like cancer, as well as an aid in the treatment of some diseases such as diabetes. The increasing demand for herbal medicines has made research in this field appealing, as it seeks natural alternatives that can replace chemical products or at least reduce their use. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the properties of the bioactive compounds found in walnuts. These compounds exhibit various biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidiabetic effects, and have potential applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

References:

Anderson, K.J., Teuber, S.S., Gobeille, A., Cremin, P., Waterhouse, A.L., Steinberg, F.M. 2001. Walnut
polyphenolics inhibit in vitro human plasma and LDL oxidation. Journal of Nutrition, 131(10): 2837-2842. Alaviani, S., Mahmoudyar, F., Miraftabi, F., Salehisormghi, M.H., Qomi, M. 2012. Determination of Iranian Almond, Peanut and Hazelnut Mineral Contents. Journal of Basic and Applied Chemistry, 2(1): 50-54
. Amaral, J.S., Seabra, R.M., Andrade, P.B., Valentao, P., Pereira, J.A., Ferreres, F. 2004. Phenolic profile in the quality control of walnut (Juglans regia L.) leaves. Food Chemistry, 88(3): 373-379
. Asadi-Shekaari, M., Eslami, A., Kalantaripour, T., Joukar, S. 2014. Potential mechanisms involved in the anticonvulsant effect of walnut extract on pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure. Medical Principles and Practice, 23(6): 538-542
. Bakkalbaşı, E., Yılmaz, Ö. M., Javidipour, I., Artık, N. 2012. Effects of packaging materials, storage conditions and variety on oxidative stability of shelled walnuts. LWT-Food Science and Technology, 46(1): 203-209
. Basri, A.M., Hussein, T., Norhayati, A. 2017. A review on the pharmacological activities and phytochemicals of Alpinia officinarum (Galangal) extracts derived from bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 11(21): 43-56. https://doi.org/10.4103/phrev.phrev-55-16
. Balu, M., Essa, M.M., Lee, M., Chauhan, V., Kaur, K., Chauhan, A. 2014. Dietary supplementation of walnuts improves memory deficits and learning skills in transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 42(4): 1397-1405. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-140675
. Bayazit, S., Tefek, H., Çalışkan, O. 2016. Türkiye’de ceviz (Juglans regia L.) araştırmaları. Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi, 11(1): 169–179
. Bernard, A., Crabier, J., Donkpegan, A.S.L. et al. 2021. Genome-wide association study reveals candidate genes involved in fruit trait variation in Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.). Frontiers in Plant Science, 11: 607213. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.607213
. Bowman, A.B., Kwakye, G.F., Hernández, E.H., Aschner, M. 2011. Role of manganese in neurodegenerative diseases. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 25(4): 191-203
. Can, M., Keskin, M. 2025. Green synthesis, characterization and biochemical properties of waste walnut (Juglans regia L.) inner shell-based silver nanoparticles. Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society, 90(1): 123–135
. Claudia, V.G.O., Solange, M.T.P.G., Carneiro, M.T., Iamauti, M.D.P., Lilian Amorim, R.D., Berger, A., Bergamin, F. 1997. Diagrammatic scales for bean diseases: development and validation. Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection, 104(4): 336-345
. Cosmulescu, S., Trandafir, I. 2011. Seasonal variation of total phenols in leaves of walnut (Juglans regia L.). Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 5(19): 4938–4942
. Courtney-Martin, G., Ball, R.O., Pencharz, P.B., Elango, R. 2016. Protein requirements during aging. Nutrients, 8(8): 492
. Ding, T., Li, Y. 2021. Beneficial effect and mechanism of walnut oligopeptide on Lactobacillus plantarum Z7. Food Science & Nutrition, 9(2): 672-681
. Denyer, S.P., Stewart, G.S.A.B. 1998. Mechanisms of action of disinfectants. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 41(3-4): 261-268
. Delaviz, H., Mohammadi, J., Ghalamfarsa, G.H. et al. 2017. A review study on phytochemistry and pharmacology applications of Juglans regia plant. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 11(22): 145-152. https://doi.org/10.4103/phrev.phrev-10-17
. Ding, Y., Cao, Y., Zhang, W. et al. 2022. Population-genomic analyses reveal bottlenecks and asymmetric introgression from Persian into iron walnut during domestication. Genome Biology, 23: 145. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-022-02720-z
. Ebrahimi, Y., Hasanvand, A., Safarabadi, A.M. et al. 2019. A review of the most important herbal drugs effective in chest pain due to cardiac disease. Anaesthesia, Pain & Intensive Care, 23(1): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.15419/bmrat.v5i8.463
. FAO. 2017. FAOSTAT database results. [Online] Available at: http://faostat.Fao.org.faostat. Servlet
. FAOSTAT. 2025. FAOSTAT data. [Online] Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize. Fadi, Q.D., Thewaini, A.J., Ali, D.A. et al. 2005. The antimicrobial activities of Psidium guajava and Juglans regia L. leaf extracts to acne-developing organisms. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 33(2): 197-204. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X05002783
. Gao, Y., Hu, J., Su, X. et al. 2020. Extraction, chemical components, bioactive functions and adulteration identification of walnut oils: A review. Grain & Oil Science and Technology, 7: 30-41
. Gupta, A., Behl, T., Panichayupakaranan, P. 2019. A review of phytochemistry and pharmacology profile of Juglans regia. Obesity Medicine, 16: 100142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obmed.2019.100142
. Girzu, M., Carnat, A., Privat, A.M. et al. 1998. Sedative effect of walnut leaf extract and juglone, an isolated constituent. Pharmaceutical Biology, 36(4): 280-286. https://doi.org/10.1076/phbi.36.4.280.4580
. Hosseini Adarmanabadi, S.M.H. et al. 2023. Pharmacotherapeutic potential of walnut (Juglans spp.) in age-related neurological disorders. IBRO Neuroscience Reports, 14: 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibneur.2022.10.015
. Jaradat, N.A. 2005. Medical plants utilized in Palestinian folk medicine for treatment of diabetes mellitus and cardiac diseases. AlAqsa University Journal (Natural Sciences Series), 9(1): 1-28
. Jahanbani, R., Ghaffari, S.M., Salami, M. et al. 2016. Antioxidant and anticancer activities of walnut (Juglans regia L.) protein hydrolysates using different proteases. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 71(4): 402-409
. Jardim, T., Domingues, M.R.M., Alves, E. 2023. An overview on lipids in nuts and oily fruits: oil content, lipid composition, health effects, lipidomic fingerprinting and new biotechnological applications of their by-products. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 63(14): 1-29
. Kaileh, M., Berghe, W.V., Boone, E. et al. 2007. Screening of indigenous Palestinian medicinal plants for potential anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 113(3): 510-516
. Kaur, K., Michael, H., Arora, S. et al. 2003. Studies on correlation of antimutagenic and antiproliferative activities of Juglans regia L. Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology, 22(1): 59–67. https://doi.org/10.1615/JEnvPathToxOncol.v22.i1.60
. López, D.N., Galante, M., Robson, M. et al. 2018. Amaranth, quinoa and chia protein isolates: Physicochemical and structural properties. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 109: 152-159
. Liu, X., Guasch-Ferré, M., Tobias, D.K., Li, Y. 2021. Association of walnut consumption with total and cause-specific mortality and life expectancy in US adults. Nutrients, 13(8): 2699
. Martínez, M.L., Diana, O.L., Alicia, L.L., Damian, M.M. 2010. Walnut (Juglans regia L.): genetic resources, chemistry, by‐products. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 90(11): 1959-1967. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.4059
. Masoudi, M., Ojani, S. 2024. Investigating the Biological Properties of Pistacia vera as the Most Popular Nut. Journal of Applied Researchers in Nuts, 1(1): 12-25. (In Persian)
. McGranahan, G.H., Leslie, C. 1998. In-vitro propagation of mature Persian walnut cultivars. HortScience, 23(1): 220-224
. Mir, F.H., Tanveer, S., Para, B.A. 2024. Evaluation of anthelmintic efficacy of ethanolic leaf extract of Juglans regia L. on Ascaridia galli: a comprehensive in vitro and in vivo study. Veterinary Research Communications, 48(4): 2321–2330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-024-10411-2
. Meshkini, A., Tahmasbi, M. 2017. Antiplatelet aggregation activity of walnut hull extract via suppression of reactive oxygen species generation and caspase activation. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, 10(3): 193-203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2017.02.007
. Mozafarian, V. 2012. Walnut tree. In: Identification of medicinal and aromatic plants of Iran. Tehran: Farhang Moaser Press, pp. 473-475
. Mohammadi, J., Naik, P.R. 2008. Antidiabetic effects of Morus alba in experimentally induced diabetes in Wistar rat. Biomedicine, 28(2): 112-116
. Mohammadi, J., Naik, P.R. 2012. The histopathologic effects of Morus alba leaf extract on the pancreas of diabetic rats. Turkish Journal of Biology, 36(2): 211-216
. Montazeri, N., Ojani, S.H. 2018. Application of catalysts in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds. Islamic Azad University (Tonekabon) Publications. (In Persian)
. Noumi, E., Snoussi, M., Hajlaoui, H. et al. 2010. Antifungal properties of Salvadora persica and Juglans regia L. extracts against oral Candida strains. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 29(1): 81-88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-009-0824-3
. Ojani, S. 2015. Quantitative and qualitative study of the essential oil and alcoholic extract of the Polylophium involucratum (Pall.) Boiss. harvested in the highlands of Ramsar using microwave irradiation and its use to synthesis of silver nanoparticles. M.Sc. Thesis. Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon Branch. (In Persian).
Ojani, S., Montazeri, N., Mohammadi Zeydi, M., Ghane, M. 2023. Phytochemical examination of the hydroalcoholic extract of Polylophium involucratum (Pall.) Boiss. harvested from the heights of the Javaherdeh - Ramsar and determination of its cytotoxic effects on chronic myeloid leukemia. Iranian Journal of Biological Sciences, 18: 49-62. (In Persian).
Ojani, S., Montazeri, N., Mohammadi Zeydi, M., Ghane, M. 2024. Investigation of Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Cytotoxic Effects of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Seeds of Polylophium involucratum (Pall.) Boiss. on the Cell Line of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. National Congress on Medical Biology, 14(56): 83-94. (In Persian).
Ojani, S., Montazeri, N., Mohammadi Zeydi, M., Ghane, M. 2025. A Novel Assessment of In Vitro Cytotoxicity Efficacy of Phytosynthesized Selenium Nanoparticles Using Polylophium involucratum (Pall.) Boiss. Seeds Extract on 8305C Cell Lines. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal, 58(11): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11094-025-03321-3.
Pereira, J.A., Oliveira, I., Sousa, A. et al. 2007. Walnut (Juglans regia L.) leaves: phenolic compounds, antibacterial activity and antioxidant potential of different cultivars. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 45(11): 2287–2295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2007.06.004.
Pourshamsian, K., Ojani, S. 2016. Phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract of seeds of Polylophium involucratum (Pall.) Boiss. from Ramsar-Iran. Planta Medica, 82(5): 62.
Qing, P., Li, X.L., Zhang, Y. et al. 2015. Association of Big Endothelin-1 with Coronary Artery Calcification. PLoS ONE, 10(11): e0142458. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0142458.
Roozban, M.R., Mohamadi, N., Vahdati, K. 2006. Fat content and fatty acid composition of four Iranian pistachio varieties grown in Iran. Acta Horticulturae, 726: 573-577.
Salehi Shanjani, P., Dadmand, M., Seyedian, S.E. et al. 2021. Investigation of genetic diversity of Juglans regia using quantitative and qualitative growth traits. Journal of Forest and Wood Product, 74(2): 209-221. https://doi.org/10.22059/JFWP.2021.312071.1134. (In Persian).
Stampar, F., Solar, A., Hudina, M. et al. 2006. Traditional walnut liqueur–cocktail of phenolics. Food Chemistry, 95(4): 627-631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.01.035.
Subhan, S., Bagchi, M. (eds.). 2017. Phytopharmaceuticals for Brain Health. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315152998.
Suksomboon, N., Poolsup, N., Boonkaew, S., Suthisisang, C.C. 2011. Meta-analysis of the effect of herbal supplement on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 137(3): 1328–1333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.07.059.
Taghizadeh, S.F., Rezaee, R., Badibostan, H., Karimi, G. 2020. Probabilistic carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessment of heavy metal ingestion through consumption of different walnut cultivars: An Iranian study. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 192: 599.
Tomer, V., Kumar, A., Gupta, K. et al. 2020. Walnut: In antioxidants in vegetables and nuts - properties and health benefits. Springer Singapore, pp. 385–422. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7470-2_20.
Valko, M., Leibfritz, D., Moncol, J. et al. 2007. Free radicals and antioxidants in normal physiological functions and human disease. The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 39(1): 44-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocel.2006.07.001.
Vahdati, K., Sheikhi, A., Arab, M.M. et al. 2023. Cultivars and genetic improvement. In: Mir, M.M., Rehman, M.U., Iqbal, U., Mir, S.A. (Eds.), Temperate Nuts. Springer, Singapore, pp. 1-20.
Wilms, L.C., Hollman, P.C., Boots, A.W., Kleinjans, J.C. 2005. Protection by quercetin and quercetin-rich fruit juice against induction of oxidative DNA damage and formation of BPDE-DNA adducts in human lymphocytes. Mutation Research, 582(1-2): 155-162.
Wambulwa, M.C.F.P., Milne, R., Wu, Z.Y. et al. 2022. Genetic analysis of walnut cultivars from southwest China: Implications for germplasm improvement. Plant Diversity, 44(5): 530–541. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2021.08.005.
Wijngaard, H., Brunton, C. 2009. Survey of Irish fruit and vegetable waste and by-products as a source of polyphenolic antioxidants. Food Chemistry, 116(1): 202-207.
Zhang, S., Zheng, H., Zhang, R. et al. 2022. Extraction optimization and antioxidant activity evaluation of se-enriched walnut proteins. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 46(7): e16719. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpp.16719.
Zakavi, F., Golpasand Hagh, L., Daraeighadikolaei, A. et al. 2013. Antibacterial Effect of Juglans Regia Bark against Oral Pathologic Bacteria. International Journal of Dentistry, 2013: 854765. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/854765.