An insight into the structure and functions of flabelliferins and borassosides; nutraceuticals in Asian palm (Borassus flabellifer)

Abstract

Palmyraculture is a sustainable livelihood, in which people structure their lifestyle utilizing the values of Palmyra palm. The Asian Palmyra palm, Borassus flabellifer, gives a lot of nutritional and nutraceutical products, as it is rich in vital biomolecules, especially flabelliferins and borassosides. Flabelliferins are found in the fruit, tuber, and inflorescence of Palmyra palm, and the borassosides are found in the inflorescence. There are 14 types of flabelliferins (only nine of their structures are known) and six types of borassosides have been extracted so far. Flabelliferin F-II reduces intestinal glucose uptake and is anti-diabetic, and antiobesitic. Flabelliferin FB is antimicrobial, an inhibitor for SARS-CoV main proteinase, SARS-CoV main protease, and human cellular transmembrane serine proteinase, and Borassoside E is antifungal. Further studies have to be conducted to determine the structures and functions of the other flabelliferins and borassosides.