<i>Yucca schidigera</i> Roezl ex ortgies (Mojave yucca): an updated review of its phytochemistry, ethnopharmacological, and pharmacological properties

Abstract

Among the different Yucca species, <i>Yucca schidigera</i> has been valued for centuries as a traditional remedy for numerous inflammatory disorders, particularly arthritis and headaches. The plant's extracts, particularly rich in steroidal saponins and polyphenolics such as resveratrol, have demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects. Currently, <i>Yucca</i> products are GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe) certified by the FDA for human consumption and are widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries as foaming agents due to their high saponin content. The protective role of <i>Y. schidigera</i> extract (YSE) in Japanese quails was studied and the reported results revealed that YSE helped reduces the oxidative and inflammatory damage, protecting the brain from lipid, protein, and DNA damage. Given the extensive applications and health benefits associated with <i>Y. schidigera</i>, continued research is warranted to explore its full therapeutic potential and to identify additional bioactive metabolites responsible for its health-promoting activities.