Phytochemical Composition and Antidiabetic Potential of Selected Ziziphus Species: A Systematic Review

Diabetes is a significant global health problem and a leading cause of death in the Philippines. Plant-based therapies are being explored as alternatives to synthetic medications due to their reduced adverse effects. This review examines the phytochemical composition and antidiabetic potential of selected Ziziphus species. A literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, limited to studies published between 2016 and 2024. Search terms included "Ziziphus and diabetes," "Ziziphus and α-amylase inhibition," and "Rhamnaceae and hypoglycemic activity." Only experimental studies providing antidiabetic and phytochemical data were included; ethnobotanical studies without pharmacological data were excluded. Six species — Z. spina-christi, Z. mucronata, Z. abyssinica, Z. oenoplia, Z. xylopyrus, and Z. mauritiana — demonstrated strong antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic properties. Key phytochemicals, including flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and phenolics, were responsible for these effects through antioxidant mechanisms, carbohydrate-digesting enzyme inhibition, and insulin regulation. Two major knowledge gaps were identified: the underexplored medicinal potential of lesser-studied Ziziphus species and the incomplete understanding of their antidiabetic mechanisms. Further research is needed to characterize the chemical composition, biological activity, and mechanisms of action of active compounds across the genus.