A REVIEW ON THE PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF PHYTOCONSTITUENTS AND BIOACTIVES PRESENT IN SPINACH (Spinacea oleracea)

Spinach (Spinacea oleracea) is a herbaceous annual herb, having a complex blend of active phytoconstituents, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, sterols, glycolipids, vitamins, and minerals. These constituents exert pharmacological effects in central nervous system, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and aging function. These nutrients assist health benefits beyond regular diets. Spinach derived bioactives and phytochemicals are capable of scavenging reactive oxygen species and stimulating in gene expression involved in proliferation, metabolism, mutagenicity and neuroplasticity. Natural antioxidant mixture (NAO) has been proven to be safe, and is well accepted in animal and human species also shown favorable activity in several diseases. In spite of these important characteristics, intake of spinach is lower than other green leafy vegetables. The current review compiles epidemiological studies, in vitro, preclinical and clinical data with a focus of efficacy spinach and spinach derived extract along with its safety of its consumption.