English name

(common
name)
Capparis spinosa
Caper bush, Caperbush, caper,
caperberry


Origin
Genus: Capparis
Species: C. spinosa
Family: Capparaceae
Citation
No. of Times mentioned: One time
In Bible: Ecclesiastes 12:5

Folk uses
Effective in the treatment of cancer, other than the rumors about its
effectiveness in the degree of sexual stimulation equivalent to Viagra pill.
Best medicine for diseases of the spleen
drinks such as tea for diabetes, rheumatism, paralysis and good remover
for sand and gravel
The Wizard of gout and tonic for the liver and diuretic menstruation.

Nutritional value / Dietary supplement
(Per 100 g of Capparis spinosa)

Plant parts Nutritional value

Fruit
Alkaloids (0.74%), glucosides (0.083%), reducing sugar
(32.9%), fats (3.75%),resins (23.75%), titratable acid (14.1%),
ascorbic acid (135.5 %)28
Leaf Alkaloids (0.02%), reducing sugar (1.68%) fat (0.71%), resins
(2.2%), ascorbic acid (70.8%)
Bud Antioxidants/flavoring agent
Flower/ buds Pickels










The studied organs of the plant (part used)
Capers(flower buds), Caperberries (fruits), leaves, roots, seeds.
Active constituents
The crude extract of the:
flower buds contains 162 volatile constituents of which isothiocyanates,
thiocyanates sulphides and their oxidative products have been identified as the
major components
The root contains glucobrassicin, neoglucobrassicin and 4-methoxy-glucobrassicin.
The root bark contains stachydrine, rutic acid and a volatile substance with garlic
odor.
The cortex and leaves contain stachydrine and 3-hydroxystachydrine.
The leaves and seeds contain glucocapparin and glucocleomin.
The seeds are rich in protein, oil, and fiber.

The main fatty acids palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids.
contain active compound rutin, in all aerial part.
The caper is rich in capric acid. This gives a distinctive aromatic flavor
enhanced by pickling.

The pungency of unripe caper berries is due to aliphatic isothiocyanates
(methyl, isopropyl and sec-butyl); furthermore, a pyridine alkaloid stachydrine
was found.

The average content of flavonoid glycosides quercetin 3-rutinoside, kaempferol 3-
rutinoside and kaempferol 3-rhamnosyl-rutinoside) in commercial capers
produced in different Mediterranean countries was 5.18 mg/g fresh weight
Name of
Compound
Plant part Chemical class Chemical structure
Cappariloside Mature fruit Glycosides

Stachydrine Root bark,
Seed,flower
,marure fruit
Alkaloids
Polyprenols
cappaprenol
Whole plant Isoprenoid
alcohols

Glucocapparin The leaves
and seeds
Glycoside

3-methyl-2-
butenyl--
glucoside
Flower Carbohydrate

Capparidisine Root bark Alkaloid


Palmitic acid Seed Fatty acid

Ascorbic acid Seed Vitamin

Guercetin-3-O-
glucoside-7-O-
rhamnoside
Aerial part Flavonoid

Rutin Aerial part Flavonoid

Glucobrassicin The root Glucosinolates

Neoglucobrassicin The root Glucosinolates

Beta carotene leaves, buds,
and flowers
Terpenoid
hydrocarbon


Medicinal uses
Caper is used as an Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Antihaemorrhoidal, Deobstruent,
Depurative, Diuretic, Expectorant, Tonic, and Vasoconstrictor. These are the
properties of the root bark. Decoctions from the root bark have been used in
traditional medicines for dropsy, anemia, arthritis and gout.

The stem bark is bitter and diuretic. If taken before meals it will increase the
appetite.

One of the reasons for its effectiveness for these purposes may be the fact that
the plant contains the anti-oxidant bioflavinoid rutin which also contributes to
the flavor.

In ayurvedeic medicine capers are recorded as hepatic stimulants and
improving liver function.

It is used internally in the treatment of gastrointestinal infections, diarrhoea,
gout and rheumatism. Externally, it is used to treat skin conditions, capillary
weakness.
Cadabicine The root Alkaloid

Stigmasterol Aerial part Steriod


The unopened flower buds are laxative. They are used internally in the treatment
of coughs, and externally to treat eye infections.

The buds are a rich source of compounds known as aldose-reductose inhibitors -
it has been shown that these compounds are effective in preventing the
formation of cataracts. The buds are harvested before the flowers open and can
be pickled for later use - when prepared correctly they are said to ease stomach
pain.

Caper root bark and leaves may have some anticarcinogenic activity. In fact, the
hydrolysis products of indol-3-ylmethyl glucosinolates have anticarcinogenic
effects. Although the consumption of capers is low in comparison with the
intake of other major dietary sources of glucosinolates (white cabbage, broccoli
and cauliflower) it may contribute to the daily dose of natural anticarcinogens that
reduces cancer risk.

Glucosinolates are known to possess goitrogenic (anti-thyroid) activity.

Rutin and quercetin may contribute to cancer prevention.

Selenium, present in capers at high concentrations in comparison with other
vegetable products, has been associated with the prevention of some forms of
cancer.it also used as Antioxidant, hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, and
hypoglycemic,

Limitations
Side effects:
Capers are safe for most people when eaten as a food. There isnt enough
information available to know if capers are safe in medicinal doses. Capers can
cause skin rash and irritation.

Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Capers are safe when eaten as food, but theres
not enough information to know if they are safe in the larger amounts that are
used as medicine. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, stick with food
amounts until more is known.

Diabetes: There is some concern that capers might alter blood sugar control in
people with diabetes. Monitor you blood sugar closely if you have diabetes and
use capers.

Surgery: Capers might affect blood sugar levels. There is some concern that
capers might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop
using capers at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Toxicity: Liver and renal toxicity.


Pharmaceutical product




Ingredients:
Capers (Capparis spinosa)
Wild chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna)
Negro coffee (Cassia occidentalis)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium
Tamarisk (Tamarixgallica )

Liv.52 tablets
Indications: In the prevention and treatment of:

For the prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease,
pre-cirrhotic conditions and early cirrhosis, anorexia, loss of appetite and
liver damage due to radiation therapy
Liver disorders including fatty acid associated with protein-energy
malnutrition
Jaundice and loss of appetite during pregnancy
As an adjuvant during prolonged illness and convalescence
As a adjuvant to hemodialysis
As an adjuvant to hepatotoxic drugs like anti-tubercular drugs, statins,
chemotherapeutic agents and antiretrovirals

Side effects:
Liv.52 is not known to have any side effects if taken as per the prescribed
dosage.