Phytochemical Composition and Mechanistic Pharmacology of Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.): Implications for Functional and Therapeutic Applications

TL;DR

This paper reviews the health benefits of Jerusalem artichoke, focusing on its bioactive compounds and potential uses in food, medicine, and cosmetics.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of Jerusalem artichoke's bioactive compounds and their health benefits, beyond just inulin.

Findings

Jerusalem artichoke contains bioactive compounds like flavonoids and phenolic acids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

It shows potential in managing chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders.

JA benefits skin health and immune function by modulating gut microbiota.

Abstract

Jerusalem artichoke (JA) (Helianthus tuberosus), a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family, is well known for its high inulin content and diverse bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, sesquiterpenes, and amino acids. Extracts derived from different parts of JA, such as tubers, leaves, and flowers, have demonstrated a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, antihypertensive, and antifungal effects. These properties highlight JA’s potential in the prevention and management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, obesity, and colorectal cancer. Recent studies also suggest that JA benefits skin health through anti-aging and barrier-protective mechanisms and enhances immune function by modulating the intestinal microbiota. Owing to its multifunctional physiological activities, JA is being explored as a valuable raw material for food, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications. However, most existing research has focused primarily on inulin, while comprehensive studies on other bioactive constituents and their clinical validation remain limited. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the bioactive compounds present in JA, elucidate their health-promoting functions, discuss their pharmacokinetics, and outline future perspectives on their potential as functional ingredients and biohealth materials.

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