Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Widely Consumed Date Palm (Phoenix Dactylifera L.) Fruit Varieties in Algerian Oases

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of methanolic extracts of date palm fruits grown in Algeria. Four in vitro methods were employed to evaluate the antioxidant activity (AA), namely β-carotene-linoleic acid system, phosphomolybdenum method, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and Ferric-Reducing Antioxidant Power assay. The anti-inflammatory activity was carried out using carrageenan-induced edema model. The extracts were found to be a rich source of polyphenols, flavonoids and flavonols. The methanolic extract of Ali Ourached cultivar showed the highest AA for the four methods cited previously (76.85%, 90.25 μmol of ascorbic acid/g of extract, 206 µg/mL and 56.04 μmol Fe (II) ∕ 100 g DW, respectively). Anti-inflammatory findings revealed noticeable reduction of paw volume ranging from 35.64 to 67.56% as a response to oral administration of 250 mg/kg dose of methanolic extracts. This study constitutes an endeavor for understanding the bioactive phytochemical variability in date palm fruit cultivars and corresponding antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Practical Applications In this study, the biological potentials of methanolic extracts of date palm fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) were evaluated. The date cultivars could potentially be considered as a functional food and could be useful as a good source of natural antioxidant compounds with possible applications to reduce oxidative stress and treatment of chronic inflammatory pathologies. The results suggest that date palm fruits contain potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can find application in food science, food technology and nutrition.