Nutraceutical and Therapeutic Potentials of Snake Fruit (Salacca zalacca): A Comprehensive Review

Snake fruit (Salacca zalacca), a nutrient-rich tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia, presents a diverse pharmacological and nutritional profile across its pulp, peel, and seeds. Extensive phytochemical investigations have revealed a wide array of bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, alkaloids, triterpenoids, and various volatile compounds. Peel extract (SPE) is notably abundant in chlorogenic and gallic acids, while the pulp contains natural sugars, dietary fiber, monoterpenoids, and carotenoids. Mineral analyses have confirmed substantial levels of potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and other essential micronutrients, affirming the fruit’s systemic health benefits. Experimental studies have demonstrated its antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, antidiabetic, antihyperunicemic, immunostimulant and anticancer effects. Ethanolic extracts from various fruit parts exhibit α-glucosidase inhibition and tyrosinase-blocking properties, suggesting roles in blood glucose regulation and skin lightening. Seed flour and aqueous seed extract show promising applications in anemia management due to high iron bioavailability and supportive micronutrients. Notably, snake fruit seed powder has also shown biosorption capacity for heavy metals, opening avenues for eco-friendly water treatment. This review consolidates current findings to underscore snake fruit’s potential as a multifunctional resource for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications, while encouraging further research into its bioactive mechanisms and clinical relevance.