Table 2 Bioactive compounds extracted from underutilized fruits of the northern Himalayas

Artocarpus lacucha (Moraceae)

Monkey fruit

Tannins, terpenoids, saponins, glycosides, alkaloids, steroids, quercetin, and kaempferol

Used as astringent and purgative, treat dysentery and arthritic swelling, prevent skin diseases, and clean wounds.

(Saleem et al. 2018)

Berberis asiatiica (Berberidaceae)

Indian barberry

Alkaloids (berberine), glycosides, flavonoids, phenolic acids, resin, carbohydrates and tannins

For the management of respiratory issues, problems related to eyes, jaundice, pigmentation on skin, and tooth pain, as well as for favouring the removal of redness and puffiness, and for ulcers.

(Saklani et al. 2011)

Carissa spinarum (Apocynaceae)

Conkerberry or bush plum

Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids and carbohydrates

Used in the management of tenderness, joint pains, microbial infection, epilepsy, viral infection, cancer disease

(Ansari & Patil 2018)

Cordia dichomata (Boraginaceae)

Glue berry/ Indian Cherry

Alkaloids, phenols, flavanol (Isorhamnetin, quercetin, and kaempferol) and glycosides

For management of cough, chest pains, sour throat, treatment of animal’s intestinal problems and used as gum

(Oza & Kulkarni 2017)

Corylus acquemontii (Betulaceae)

Jacquemont’s Hazel

Tannins, carotenoids, and polyphenols

Antioxidative properties, ability to reduce risk of certain type of cancers, coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, inflammation and other oxidative stress-associated ailments

(Kumar et al. 2016)

Cydonia oblonga (Rosaceae)

Beeddana

Flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol), flavan-3-ols, phenolic acids, alkaloids, polyphenols, mainly coumaroyl-quinic acid, mono and di caffeoylquinic acids, oxalic acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, and fumaric acids, terpenes and tannins

Used as harsh, antiseptic, hepatoprotective, cicatrising, anti-inflammatory; for management of diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatic disorders, leucorrhoea, haemoptysis, uterine haemorrhages, and wound

(Zhang et al. 2021; Hanan et al. 2020)

Elaeagnus latifolia (Elaeagnaceae)

Bastard oleaster

Terpenoids, triterpenoids, and anthraquinones

Antioxidative properties

(Panja et al. 2014; Basumatary et al. 2020)

Ficus auriculata (Moraceae)

Roxburgh Fig

Alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, tannins, diterpenes, flavonoids, and some other compounds such as betulinic acid, lupeol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-gluco pyranoside, myricetin and quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, resins, and tannins

Leaves are applied on wounds and also used as fodder. Stem and bark juice used to treat diarrhoea, wounds and small cuts.

(Mehra & Tandon 2021; Thingbaijam et al. 2012; Saklani et al. 2012)

Flacourtia indica (Salicaceae)

Aarlia of Panjali

Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenes, tannins and glycoside

Used in the treatment of various illnesses like liver problems, joint pain, bone inflammation and treatment of gout.

(Patro et al. 2013)

Ficus palmata (Moraceae)

Wild Himalayan fig

Alkaloids, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids and anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, cardiac glycosides. trans-psoralenoside, furanocoumarins, vanillic acid flavone, glycoside, and rutin

Source of mineral and phosphorous, also used in the treatment of lungs and bladder diseases.

(Alqasoumi et al. 2014; Chauhan et al. 2014)

Hippophae sps. (Elaeagnaceae) rhamnoides (Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh) salicifolia (Uttarakhand) and tibetana.

Sea buckthorn

Polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, carbohydrates and carotenoids

For pain-relieving, cough suppressant, digestive tonic, and promoter of blood-flow in heart and chest pains, abdominal dysfunctions, spleen deficiency, to reduce food intake, and stasis due to injuries from falls.

(Pundir et al. 2021)

Malus sikkimensis (Rosaceae)

Crab Apple

Alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, rutin, hyperin, and phlorizin

Used to heal and obviate constipation.

(Li et al. 2014)

Myrica esculenta (Myricaceae)

Bayberry

Alkaloids, flavonoid, saponins, tannins, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, glycosides, terpenes, triterpenoids, ascorbic acid, catechin, chlorogenic, caffeic acid, myricetin, L-hydroxyproline, iso-leucine, valine, L-cysteine hydroxy-chloride, alanine, tryptophan, glutamic acid, tyrosine, threonine, leucine, lysine monochloride, furfural, oxirane, myo-inositol, and 1-ethyl-4 methylcyclohexane

Used in the management of ulcers and numerous other illnesses.

(Kabra et al. 2019; Sood & Shri 2018; Rawat et al. 2013)

Olea ferruginea (Oleaceae)

Indian olive

Polyphenols, quinones, flavonoids, catechins, coumarins, terpenoids

Antioxidant properties

(Sharma et al. 2013)

Physalis peruviana (Solanaceae)

Rasbhari

Alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, terpenes, carbohydrates, tannins and glycosides

Used as therapeutic such as anti-spasmodic, diuretic, antiseptic, sedative, and analgesic.

(Bharthi et al. 2016)

Pinus gerardiana (Pinaceae)

Pine nuts

Phenols, terpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins

Asthma, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, oxidative stress related diseases, cardiovascular-related problems, liver and kidney disorders, and various pathogenic infections

(Zulfqar et al. 2020; Bhardwaj et al. 2022)

Prunus armeniaca (Rosaceae)

Wild apricot

Flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, sorbitol, phytosterol, fatty acids, eugenol, and carotenoids

Rich in vitamin C and potassium and helps in maintaining cholesterol level

(Sharma et al. 2014; Alajil et al. 2021)

Pyracantha crenulate (Rosaceae)

Himalayan firethorn

Flavonoids, terpenoids, glycoside, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid and tannins

Used in various cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and heavy bleeding in the menstrual cycle

(Sati 2017)

Pyrus pashia (Rosaceae)

Wild Himalayan Pear

Flavonoids, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid and polyphenols

Used to treat constipation, ailments, like dysentery, eye conditions, abdominal issues (dyspepsia), headaches, diaphoretic, hysteria, epilepsy, anaemia, sore throat, irritability, dysmenorrhea, also as astringent and has diuretic properties.

(Siddiqui et al. 2015)

Rubus ellipticus (Rosaceae)

Yellow Himalayan raspberry

Flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, phenols, tannins, antioxidants, anthocyanin, ascorbic acid, and resin

Provide energy for travellers or hikers.

(Saklani et al. 2012)

Rubus niveus (Rosaceae)

Mysore raspberry

Phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenes, carbohydrates and tannins

Decreases joint and bone pain, detoxifies, clear wind moist and deals with dysentery

(Pancholi & Rana 2020)

Viburnum mullaha (Viburnaceae)

Starry viburnum

Flavonoids

Possesses hypotensive, calming, anti-spasmodic, and anti-inflammatory properties

(Singh et al. 2017)

Ziziphus mauritiana (Rhammnaceae)

Indian jujube

Flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and saponins.

It helps improve muscular strength and weight and acts as a sweet nutritive, aphrodisiac, and appetizer.

(Prakash et al. 2021; Cheema et al. 2017)