Manilkara zapota (Sapodilla or Chikko): A Review of the Phytochemical Composition, Traditional Uses, and Therapeutic Potential

Manilkara zapota, also referred to as sapodilla, is the most prominent and widely grown fruit in the Sapotaceae family. It is distinguished as a nutrient-rich fruit, including sugars, acids, proteins, amino acids, and minerals. Chiku is rich in bioactive components such as ellagitannins, gallotannins, phenolic acids, depsides, and flavonoids including anthocyanins and flavanols. This review seeks to systematically gather critical information and possibility for extracting bioactive chemicals from on sapodilla for exploring its therapeutic potential. In this review we highlight the composition of sapodilla fruit and presents current research findings on the principal pharmacological actions. The significant bioactive qualities indicate potential for employing components from both the edible and inedible sections of sapodilla in the development of innovative food and medicinal products. The nutritional value of sapodilla fruit, along with the phytochemical variety present in its by-products such peels, seeds, bark, and leaves, establishes them as potential sources of nutraceutical components for functional food development. From a pharmacological standpoint, both the consumable and non-consumable components of sapodilla demonstrate potential as antioxidants, anticancer agents, antimicrobials, analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and hepatoprotective agents.