Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera): Protection and Remedy Food

Phoenix dactylifera belongs to the Arecaceae family; its leaves, barks, pits, fruits and pollens have antioxidant, anticancer, hepatoprotective, n europrotective, nephroprotective, gastrointestinal protective, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, sexual improvement and antimicrobial potentials. The broad pharmacological effects of P. dactylifera may be attributed to the powerful and beneficial ingredients including phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids and organic acids. This review was conducted to explain the pharmacological preventive and curative potentials of P. dactylifera by searching through PubMed and Google scholar databases until January, 2016 by selection of some unique studies under each pharmacological potential of P. dactylifera. Introduction Natural products can be good remedies because they are inexpensive and easy to access. Some herbs are recommended as a remedy for some diseases by the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be upon Him) [1] as he said dates cure several disorders. The importance of dates has been documented in the Qur’an in Surah Maryam, at the point when Mary brought forth the Christ Jesus (Peace Be upon Him) under a palm tree, she heard a voice advising her: “Shake the trunk of the palm tree towards thee: it will drop new, ready dates upon thee. Eat, then, and drink, and let thine eye be cheered!” (Qur’an 19: 25-26) [2]. The health benefit of Ajwa dates has been documented in hadith as Saud (R.A) narrated that I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “If Somebody takes seven Ajwa dates in the morning, neither magic nor poison will hurt him that day” [3]. Table 1: A summary of the pharmacological potentials of P. dactylifera. Activity P. dactylifera / Extracts Study type Conclusions Reference Antioxidant Aqueous extract (fruits) In vitro Hydroxyl radical scavenging potential [13] Superoxide scavenging potential Phenolic and flavonoid fractions (fruits) In vitro Antioxidant capacity [14] Radical scavenging potential Aqueous-methanol extracts (fruits) In vitro Total phenolic contents [15] Total flavonoid contents Methanolic extract (fruits) In vitro Antioxidant capacity [16] Total phenolic contents Anticancer Date extract (DDE) and polyphenol-rich extract (DPE) In vitro Growth inhibition of Caco-2 cells [18] Review