A Review of the Importance and Nutritional Value of Caper (Capparis spinosa L.), and Its Health Benefits

Introduction: Caper (Capparis spinosa L.) is one of the most important and dominant medicinal plants in the Greco-Arabic, Chinese, Iranian, and Ayurvedic medicinal systems. The chemical components found in this medicinal plant were flavonoids, lipids, tannins, alkaloids, lignins, (6S)-hydroxy-3-oxo-α-ionolglucosides, glucocapperin, and polyphenols. Capers are usually used in Mediterranean cuisine, especially in seafood dishes. Methods: The goal of this article is to survey the natural benefits and medicinal value of caper. A literature search was performed in Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, Medline, and Wiley Online Library from 1990 to November 2023. The keywords used were the Latin and common names, as well as caper, natural products, traditional Chinese medicine, rutin, and kaempferol. Results: Caper has shown anti-microbial, cytotoxic, anti-arthritic, anthelminthic, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, antioxidant, chondroprotective, hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, anti-allergic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-histaminic, immunomodulatory, and anti-hepatotoxic activities. The main volatile ingredients discovered in caper bud oil were furfural, benzyl alcohol, 4-vinyl guaiacol, ethanol methyl pentyl acetal, octanioc acid, thymol, and methyl isothiocyanate. In addition to vitamin K and copper, capers also provide smaller amounts of vitamin E, magnesium, iron, and other different minerals and vitamins. In traditional medicinal science, caper has been used for the treatment of fever, headache, convulsions, diabetes, toothache, menstruation, kidney disease, skin disease, liver disease, rheumatism, ulcers, hemorrhoids, and sciatica. Conclusions: The leaves and fruits have anti-diabetic impacts, and fruits also exert cholesterol-lowering, anti-obesity, and anti-hypertensive impacts. Shoots, stem barks, fruits, and roots have shown antimicrobial effects, and roots, fruits, and leaves contain anti-inflammatory activity. In this article, we have introduced caper as a major medicinal plant by considering its natural products in both traditional and modern medicines.