Phytochemical constituents, biological activities, toxicological profiles, and current applications of Muntingia calabura L.: an updated review

Abstract Objectives Muntingia calabura L. has long been utilized in traditional therapies, with various plant parts (fruits, leaves, and stem bark) used to treat a range of conditions, including diabetes, inflammatory disorders, and respiratory diseases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on M. calabura, including its chemical constituents, biological activities, and emerging applications. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted using several electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, SciFinder, and ScienceDirect. The search strategy employed keywords such as “M. calabura”, “M. calabura”, “Jamaican cherry”, “botanical characteristics”, “distribution”, “phytoconstituents”, “biological activities”, “toxicological profiles”, and “green-synthesized nanoparticles”. Key findings Based on the synthesis of available literature, a total of 98 flavonoids have been characterized, alongside 22 phenolic compounds, 25 terpenoids, 7 tocopherol derivatives, and other secondary metabolites, demonstrating the diversity of phytochemical constituents from M. calabura. Pharmacological investigations have revealed a wide range of bioactivities, including antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anticancer, wound-healing, respiratory-supportive, anti-obesity, immunomodulatory, renoprotective, metabolic, and antidepressant effects. Additionally, recent studies highlight its potential as a green bioconstituent for eco-friendly nanoparticle synthesis, extending its relevance to environmental technologies.