Java plum

Java plum  is an evergreen tropical tree in the flowering plant family Myrtaceae, and favored for its fruit, timber, and ornamental value. It is native to the Indian Subcontinent, adjoining regions of Southeast Asia, including Myanmar, Sri Lanka,, and the Andaman Islands.It can reach heights of up to 30 metres (98 ft) and can live more than 100 years. A rapidly growing plant, it is considered an invasive species in many world regions.

Java plum seeds are also known for their medicinal properties and are used to treat diabetes, diarrhea, and dysentery. Bhargva et al. (1969) have shown that consumption of jamun markedly lowers blood pressure. The fruit can be used for making dry wine of acceptable quality, and high-quality alcoholic beverage can also be prepared from jamun juice (Joshi et al., 2012a). In Goa and the Philippines, jamun fruits are an important source of wine, somewhat like port and the distilled liquors. Brandy and jambava have also been made from the fermented fruit.

Jamun has been used to treat diabetes for centuries, and scientific studies carried out in the past few decades have confirmed that the seed is most effective and is useful in both insulin-dependent and noninsulin-dependent diabetes. Reports also suggest it to be effective in reducing the production of glucose, in inducing utilization of glucose, and of use in preventing/retarding diabetic complications. Mechanistic studies indicate that Jamun possesses free radical scavenging and antioxidant effects, prevents lipid peroxidation, regenerates the β-cells, prevents alterations in glycation status and formation of AGEs, improves glucose utilization and maintains glucose homeostasis, activates peroxisomal PPARs, inhibits alpha-glucosidases, and ameliorates dyslipidemia. These activities are beneficial in reducing hyperglycemia and in preventing/reducing the secondary complications of diabetes. Although Jamun has been propounded as an effective antidiabetic agent in both traditional and animal studies, the clinical trials performed with small sample size have been inconclusive. The antidiabetic action of Jamun includes the combined effect of acarbose, meglutude, insulin, lovastatin, and vitamin E. Future studies should be aimed at performing randomized double-blinded clinical studies with a large sample size and a standardized extract with suitable controls. The observation from these studies will help in understanding and validating the traditional observations.