Medicinal Properties of Cydonia Oblonga Mill Fruit (Pulp and Peel) in Iranian Traditional Medicine and Modern Phytothrapy

Cydonia oblonga Mill is commonly known as quince. It seems to have been used since the ancient time. Quince is a popular fruit because of its health promoting properties. It is an undeniable fact that there is a positive relationship between a diet rich in plant foods and a diminish incidence of cancer, cardiovascular and other diseases. The aim of this study was demonstrating pharmacologic properties of quince (pulp and peel), view of Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) and modern phytotherapy. For this purpose, Pubmed, Elseveir, Scopus, SID and Google scholar were searched for the key terms “Cydonia oblonga” and “Quince” up to 20st June 2015, and also Iranian traditional medicine manuscripts and herbal medicine books were studied. All experimental and animal studies that included the evidences of fruit (pulp and peel) written in this article were selected for review. Quince has various pharmacological properties including antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, and anticolitis properties and effects on blood pressure and blood rheology, and also has several traditional medicine uses. In Iranian traditional medicine, quince pulp is effective on the most important and vital organs like brain, heart and liver. This fruit is a valuable source of compounds with health-promoting properties and can be used as good sources of antioxidants in our diet and may have use in the prevention and treatment of heart, brain and gastrointestinal diseases.