A review of cardio-metabolic properties of <i>Parkia biglobosa</i> seeds

Management of chronic diseases such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes is based on pharmacological treatment combined with non-pharmacological measures, including regular physical activity and diet rich in fruit and legumes. This includes Parkia biglobosa, a plant of Fabaceae family. While several preclinical data on medicinal effects of Parkia biglobosa seeds are available in literature, studies in humans are scarce. The objective of this review was to present and synthesize recent scientific data on the cardio-metabolic properties of Parkia biglobosa seeds. We conducted a review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines by consulted and retrieved usual search sites. The 24 studies that met the inclusion criteria were thoroughly analyzed. Cardio-metabolic medicinal properties of Parkia biglobosa seeds are thought to be linked to the action of various chemical substances contained in the seed on cardiac and vascular smooth muscle, carbohydrate-lipid and electrolyte metabolism. A synthesis of ethnobotanical, pharmacological, and nutritional data reveals that Parkia biglobosa seeds—particularly in fermented form—offer multiple cardiometabolic benefits: antihypertensive effects via vasodilation and calcium channel inhibition, improved lipid and glycemic profiles, and favorable modulation of electrolyte metabolism.