Chemical composition and biologic activities of different preparations of Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica)

Abstract The hectic pace of life and growing threat of cardiovascular, metabolic and neoplastic diseases highlight the demand for products with natural origin that could simultaneously be part of the balanced diet and improve human’s health. A promising finding in this respect is the Japanese quince – Chaenomeles japonica. It is an ancient plant with eastern origin, but the scientific knowledge about it has only recently started to build up. The aim of this review is to gather scientific data about chemical composition and biologic activities of Chaenomeles japonica and to provide an insight into the possible prophylactic and therapeutic applications of the plant. The gathered and summarized information concerning Japanese quince shows that preparations of different parts of the plant, especially fruits and leaves, possess biologic properties that could be of exceptional nutritional and medicinal value. Antiinflammatory, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, carbohydrate metabolism-modulating activities in in vitro studies as well as safety profile, influence on neuropsychology and behavior in animal models are discussed. This review outlines the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of Chaenomeles japonica, as well as the chemical composition that stands behind them, and aims to serve as a basis for further investigations of the medicinal plant’s potential.