Physalis spp.: Botany, cultivation, phytochemical compositionand therapeutic activities

The genus Physalis, belongs to Solanaceae family, comprises approximately ۱۰۰ speciesmainly from tropical America. Of these, only a few species with high nutritional andpharmacological values including: P. peruviana L., P. philadelphica Lam. (P. ixocarpa Brot .ex Horm.), P. angulata L., P. pubescens L., and P. alkekengi L. have garnered more attentionas food and medicine, because consumer interest in novel fruits and vegetables has increaseddue to increasing awareness of the health benefits of eating a diverse diet. The fruit representa rich source of minerals, vitamins, fibers, carotenoids, organic acids, fatty acids, phytosterols,phenolic compounds, steroids, alkaloids and terpenes. Phytochemicals isolated from Physalisplants demonstrate various therapeutic and pharmacological activities including antiinflammatory,antioxidant and cytotoxic, diuretic, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, antileishmanial,anti-gastric ulcer, anti-asthmatic and anti-fertility. Most of these activities are associated withthe presence of tropane alkaloids (mainlytropine and tigloidine), physalins (steroidcompounds), and other bioactive compounds. Accordingly, Physalis species have greatpotential as highly functional foods and sources of valuable secondary metabolites forphytopharmacy and novel medicine.