Celtis genus (Cannabaceae): A comprehensive review of the ethnomedicinal use, food value, phytochemistry, biological activities, valuable compounds, and insight into mechanisms of action

The genus Celtis, which is currently placed in the Cannabaceae family, comprises approximately 70 species that are predominantly found in mild temperate parts of the northern Hemisphere, as well as certain areas of South America, North and Central Africa. These plants are utilized not just as nutrie...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jihane Touhtouh, Mustapha Laghmari, Fettouma Chraa, Taoufiq Benali, Jamal Ghanam, Mohamed El Shazly, Khang Wen Goh, Abdelhakim Bouyahya, Learn-Han Lee, Tarik Aanniz, Khalil Hammani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Agriculture and Food Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154325001681
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849521477630558208
author Jihane Touhtouh
Mustapha Laghmari
Fettouma Chraa
Taoufiq Benali
Jamal Ghanam
Mohamed El Shazly
Khang Wen Goh
Abdelhakim Bouyahya
Learn-Han Lee
Tarik Aanniz
Khalil Hammani
author_facet Jihane Touhtouh
Mustapha Laghmari
Fettouma Chraa
Taoufiq Benali
Jamal Ghanam
Mohamed El Shazly
Khang Wen Goh
Abdelhakim Bouyahya
Learn-Han Lee
Tarik Aanniz
Khalil Hammani
author_sort Jihane Touhtouh
collection DOAJ
description The genus Celtis, which is currently placed in the Cannabaceae family, comprises approximately 70 species that are predominantly found in mild temperate parts of the northern Hemisphere, as well as certain areas of South America, North and Central Africa. These plants are utilized not just as nutrients and food supplements, but also as remedies to manage different ailments. This review aims to provide an update on the biodiversity and updated taxonomy of this genus. It aims to highlight the traditional uses of Celtis spp., as well as the biological activities of its extracts and bioactive compounds, covering antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, gastroprotective, and wound healing activities. Scientific findings on Celtis spp. unanimously endorse the utilization of this genus in the medical field, offering novel therapeutic options. The review also highlights the nutritional values of different parts, the main phytochemicals found in Celtis spp. extracts, and their biological capacities. The presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, ceramides, cerebrosides, tannins, phenolic amides, phenolics, protein, fiber, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and mineral components, along with some substances unique to this genus was documented. Information on some mechanisms responsible for the pharmacological effects and molecular targets of various extracts and pure phytochemicals is also provided. Celtis spp. have demonstrated their efficacy in modern in vitro and in vivo investigations, confirming their wide traditional use. These findings offer valuable insights for future research on developing Celtis-based drugs. Nevertheless, further research should focus on conducting pharmacological investigations to discover novel mechanisms of action of Celtis spp., investigate their pharmacokinetics, develop innovative pharmaceutical formulations from these plants for targeted delivery, and explore their potential interactions with allopathic medications.
format Article
id doaj-art-0a4fde95d29e4c7f8d6ab19510cd6113
institution Kabale University
issn 2666-1543
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Journal of Agriculture and Food Research
spelling doaj-art-0a4fde95d29e4c7f8d6ab19510cd61132025-08-20T03:25:08ZengElsevierJournal of Agriculture and Food Research2666-15432025-06-012110179710.1016/j.jafr.2025.101797Celtis genus (Cannabaceae): A comprehensive review of the ethnomedicinal use, food value, phytochemistry, biological activities, valuable compounds, and insight into mechanisms of actionJihane Touhtouh0Mustapha Laghmari1Fettouma Chraa2Taoufiq Benali3Jamal Ghanam4Mohamed El Shazly5Khang Wen Goh6Abdelhakim Bouyahya7Learn-Han Lee8Tarik Aanniz9Khalil Hammani10Laboratory of Natural Resources and Environment, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University of Fez, B.P. 1223 Taza-Gare, Taza, MoroccoLaboratory of Natural Resources and Environment, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University of Fez, B.P. 1223 Taza-Gare, Taza, MoroccoBiotechnology Laboratory (MedBiotech), Bioinova Research Center, Rabat Medical and Pharmacy School, Mohammed V University, Rabat, MoroccoLaboratory of Ecotoxicology, Bioresources, and Coastal Geomorphology, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Safi, Cadi Ayyad University, PO Box 4162, 46000, Safi, MoroccoDepartment of Pediatrics II, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, GermanyDepartment of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain-Shams University, Cairo 11566, EgyptFaculty of Data Science and Information Technology, INTI International University, Nilai, Malaysia; Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, IndonesiaLaboratory of Human Pathologies Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat 10106, Morocco; Corresponding author.Microbiome Research Group, Research Centre for Life Science and Healthcare, Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute (CBI), University of Nottingham Ningbo China, 315000, Ningbo, China; Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group (NBDD), Microbiome and Bioresource Research Strength (MBRS), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Selangor 47500, Malaysia; Corresponding author. Microbiome Research Group, Research Centre for Life Science and Healthcare, Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute (CBI), University of Nottingham Ningbo China, 315000, Ningbo, China.Biotechnology Laboratory (MedBiotech), Bioinova Research Center, Rabat Medical and Pharmacy School, Mohammed V University, Rabat, MoroccoLaboratory of Natural Resources and Environment, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University of Fez, B.P. 1223 Taza-Gare, Taza, MoroccoThe genus Celtis, which is currently placed in the Cannabaceae family, comprises approximately 70 species that are predominantly found in mild temperate parts of the northern Hemisphere, as well as certain areas of South America, North and Central Africa. These plants are utilized not just as nutrients and food supplements, but also as remedies to manage different ailments. This review aims to provide an update on the biodiversity and updated taxonomy of this genus. It aims to highlight the traditional uses of Celtis spp., as well as the biological activities of its extracts and bioactive compounds, covering antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, gastroprotective, and wound healing activities. Scientific findings on Celtis spp. unanimously endorse the utilization of this genus in the medical field, offering novel therapeutic options. The review also highlights the nutritional values of different parts, the main phytochemicals found in Celtis spp. extracts, and their biological capacities. The presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, ceramides, cerebrosides, tannins, phenolic amides, phenolics, protein, fiber, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and mineral components, along with some substances unique to this genus was documented. Information on some mechanisms responsible for the pharmacological effects and molecular targets of various extracts and pure phytochemicals is also provided. Celtis spp. have demonstrated their efficacy in modern in vitro and in vivo investigations, confirming their wide traditional use. These findings offer valuable insights for future research on developing Celtis-based drugs. Nevertheless, further research should focus on conducting pharmacological investigations to discover novel mechanisms of action of Celtis spp., investigate their pharmacokinetics, develop innovative pharmaceutical formulations from these plants for targeted delivery, and explore their potential interactions with allopathic medications.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154325001681CeltisCannabaceaeEthnomedicinal useNutrient valueZenkeramideMarmesin
spellingShingle Jihane Touhtouh
Mustapha Laghmari
Fettouma Chraa
Taoufiq Benali
Jamal Ghanam
Mohamed El Shazly
Khang Wen Goh
Abdelhakim Bouyahya
Learn-Han Lee
Tarik Aanniz
Khalil Hammani
Celtis genus (Cannabaceae): A comprehensive review of the ethnomedicinal use, food value, phytochemistry, biological activities, valuable compounds, and insight into mechanisms of action
Journal of Agriculture and Food Research
Celtis
Cannabaceae
Ethnomedicinal use
Nutrient value
Zenkeramide
Marmesin
title Celtis genus (Cannabaceae): A comprehensive review of the ethnomedicinal use, food value, phytochemistry, biological activities, valuable compounds, and insight into mechanisms of action
title_full Celtis genus (Cannabaceae): A comprehensive review of the ethnomedicinal use, food value, phytochemistry, biological activities, valuable compounds, and insight into mechanisms of action
title_fullStr Celtis genus (Cannabaceae): A comprehensive review of the ethnomedicinal use, food value, phytochemistry, biological activities, valuable compounds, and insight into mechanisms of action
title_full_unstemmed Celtis genus (Cannabaceae): A comprehensive review of the ethnomedicinal use, food value, phytochemistry, biological activities, valuable compounds, and insight into mechanisms of action
title_short Celtis genus (Cannabaceae): A comprehensive review of the ethnomedicinal use, food value, phytochemistry, biological activities, valuable compounds, and insight into mechanisms of action
title_sort celtis genus cannabaceae a comprehensive review of the ethnomedicinal use food value phytochemistry biological activities valuable compounds and insight into mechanisms of action
topic Celtis
Cannabaceae
Ethnomedicinal use
Nutrient value
Zenkeramide
Marmesin
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154325001681
work_keys_str_mv AT jihanetouhtouh celtisgenuscannabaceaeacomprehensivereviewoftheethnomedicinalusefoodvaluephytochemistrybiologicalactivitiesvaluablecompoundsandinsightintomechanismsofaction
AT mustaphalaghmari celtisgenuscannabaceaeacomprehensivereviewoftheethnomedicinalusefoodvaluephytochemistrybiologicalactivitiesvaluablecompoundsandinsightintomechanismsofaction
AT fettoumachraa celtisgenuscannabaceaeacomprehensivereviewoftheethnomedicinalusefoodvaluephytochemistrybiologicalactivitiesvaluablecompoundsandinsightintomechanismsofaction
AT taoufiqbenali celtisgenuscannabaceaeacomprehensivereviewoftheethnomedicinalusefoodvaluephytochemistrybiologicalactivitiesvaluablecompoundsandinsightintomechanismsofaction
AT jamalghanam celtisgenuscannabaceaeacomprehensivereviewoftheethnomedicinalusefoodvaluephytochemistrybiologicalactivitiesvaluablecompoundsandinsightintomechanismsofaction
AT mohamedelshazly celtisgenuscannabaceaeacomprehensivereviewoftheethnomedicinalusefoodvaluephytochemistrybiologicalactivitiesvaluablecompoundsandinsightintomechanismsofaction
AT khangwengoh celtisgenuscannabaceaeacomprehensivereviewoftheethnomedicinalusefoodvaluephytochemistrybiologicalactivitiesvaluablecompoundsandinsightintomechanismsofaction
AT abdelhakimbouyahya celtisgenuscannabaceaeacomprehensivereviewoftheethnomedicinalusefoodvaluephytochemistrybiologicalactivitiesvaluablecompoundsandinsightintomechanismsofaction
AT learnhanlee celtisgenuscannabaceaeacomprehensivereviewoftheethnomedicinalusefoodvaluephytochemistrybiologicalactivitiesvaluablecompoundsandinsightintomechanismsofaction
AT tarikaanniz celtisgenuscannabaceaeacomprehensivereviewoftheethnomedicinalusefoodvaluephytochemistrybiologicalactivitiesvaluablecompoundsandinsightintomechanismsofaction
AT khalilhammani celtisgenuscannabaceaeacomprehensivereviewoftheethnomedicinalusefoodvaluephytochemistrybiologicalactivitiesvaluablecompoundsandinsightintomechanismsofaction