Volume 37, Issue 7, Page 32 (July 2006)

LESLIE S. BAUMANN, M.D.

DR. BAUMANN is director of cosmetic dermatology at the University of Miami. To respond to this column, or to suggest topics for future columns, write to Dr. Baumann at our editorial offices via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

There are two predominant species of persimmon: Diospyros kaki, found in Japan, Korea, and China, and Diospyros virginiana, native to North America. The former is more often studied for potential medical benefits, but the latter species was traditionally used by some Native Americans to enhance skin firmness and elasticity. D. kaki has been used in China as an herbal medicine since ancient times, and in Japan as a folk medicine for treating stroke.

In Korea, persimmon leaf extract has been used to promote maternal health (Fitoterapia 2002;73:710–2) and as a tea for its presumed antihypertensive effects (Arch. Pharm. Res. 2005;28:667–74). Other long-standing indications for the Asian variety of persimmon, the focus of this article, include burns, frostbite, and bruises.

Several recent studies have suggested potentially broad medical uses for this botanical. In a study that targeted persimmon for possible therapeutic activity in skin because of its high concentration of polyphenolic tannins, various ethanol extracts of persimmon leaf inhibited tyrosinase, collagenase, and elastase to varying degrees, and were associated with a significant rate of collagen biosynthesis. The investigators concluded that the persimmon leaf confers sufficient biologic functions to warrant its inclusion in antiwrinkle formulations and cosmetic products intended to inhibit other skin conditions (Dermatol. Surg. 2005;31:848–54; discussion 854).

Antioxidant Properties

NaoXingQing, a newly patented traditional Chinese medicinal agent used to treat apoplexy syndrome, is primarily composed of the flavonoids from persimmon leaves. In a recent study, pretreatment of NG108–15 cells with NaoXingQing diminished cell injury and apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide, and suppressed declines in endogenous antioxidants such as glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase (Life Sci. 2005;76:1975–88).

In fact, identification of persimmon as a source of antioxidant activity has just emerged over the past few years. A recent study of fresh and dried persimmon fruit revealed that both contain high levels of bioactive compounds and exhibit significant antioxidant activity (Int. J. Food Sci. Nutr. 2005;56:105–13). Earlier, a methanol extract of D. kaki was found to be a potent scavenger of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, demonstrating significant antioxidant potential (Fitoterapia 2002;73:710–2).

Last year, a study of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) antioxidant activity in edible plants for use in preventing atherosclerosis landed persimmon extract in a group with the more heralded green tea. Extracts of both plants, along with two others from an original sample of 52 edible plants, showed the greatest ability to inhibit human LDL oxidation. Another noteworthy result of this study was that when researchers measured radical scavenging activity against DPPH, they observed that the LDL antioxidant in the most potent plant products was underestimated in the DPPH radical scavenging assay (J. Agric. Food Chem. 2004;52:2391–6).

Antitumor Properties

In a study evaluating the fractionated extracts of persimmon peels for wide-ranging health benefits, significant cytotoxic activity was seen in the acetone fractions against human oral squamous cell carcinoma and human submandibular gland tumor cells. The researchers reported scavenging of the superoxide radical produced by hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase reactions, and also found substantial reversal of multidrug resistance (MDR) activity. They concluded that such findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of persimmon peel extract as an antitumor and MDR-reversing agent (Phytother. Res. 2003;17:495–500).

Previous research had suggested the antitumorigenic potential of persimmon. In a study of the effects of persimmon extract and several polyphenolic compounds on the growth of human lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells, investigators found that persimmon strongly inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent fashion as effectively as ornithine decarboxylase does. This finding, along with a morphologic study that revealed severe damage, anomalous cell shapes, and DNA fragmentation in cells treated with persimmon (as well as other polyphenols), indicated that persimmon induced apoptosis in the leukemia cells, the investigators concluded (Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 1997;61:1099–101).

Persimmon extract has also been shown to strongly inhibit DNA polymerase alpha activity as well as [3H]thymidine incorporation into human peripheral lymphocyte cells stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (Biochem. Mol. Biol. Int. 1999;47:795–801).

Other Properties

Antibacterial activity has also been displayed by this astringent fruit. Persimmon exhibits rapid antibacterial effects at low concentrations against Listeria monocytogenes and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, both of which cause food-borne infections. This activity is ascribed to the polyphenolic components in the persimmon fruit (J. Food Prot. 2004;67:2820–4).

It should be noted that the study that yielded this result was conducted using only pathogens that cause food-borne infections.

A recent study has also suggested that persimmon leaves possess enough antithrombotic activity to warrant consideration as an antithrombotic agent (Arch. Pharm. Res. 2005;28:667–74).

In addition, antiallergic properties have been attributed to persimmon leaf extract, which inhibits histamine release by the human basophilic cell line KU812. In an attempt to identify the components responsible, investigators studied the effects of persimmon leaf extract in allergic mouse models, specifically anaphylaxis and atopic dermatitis models. Oral administration of persimmon leaf extract or astragalin (its major flavonoid constituent) inhibited histamine release from KU812, dose-dependently inhibited passive cutaneous reactions, and significantly suppressed dermatitis development. Significant reductions were also seen histologically in the infiltration of inflammatory cells, epidermal thickening, and salient hyperkeratosis (J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 2000;106:159–66).

In a subsequent study, the same investigators orally administered persimmon leaf extract or astragalin for 4 weeks to NC/Nga mice with dermatitis, and observed reductions in severity. Further, they found that the beneficial effects were dose dependent, with continuous intake significantly reducing symptom development. Transepidermal water loss also was suppressed.

The researchers concluded that persimmon leaf extract and its primary flavonoid constituent astragalin appear to be viable alternatives for treating atopic dermatitis (Br. J. Dermatol. 2002;146:221–7).

The Future

Despite a dearth of research on the potential medical benefits of persimmon extract, the available evidence seems to suggest that this botanical warrants more attention. A significant proportion of the admittedly narrow body of research indicates the potential for dermatologic applications of this fruit.

Much more research, particularly in the form of randomized controlled trials, is necessary to buttress the apparent antioxidant evidence and validate the use of persimmon leaf extract in the medical armamentarium.

Currently, this astringent botanical fruit is used in some deodorant products, as well as in shampoos, hair conditioners, and hydrating lotions.

PII: S0037-6337(06)71380-8

doi:10.1016/S0037-6337(06)71380-8

© 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.