The acute effect of a baobab fruit (Adansonia digitata) smoothie on cognitive function in healthy adults

The Potential Uses of Baobab Tree's Medicinal Effects in Dentistry: A Literature Review

Adansonia digitata (Baobab) tree is an African tree with a long history in traditional medicine. The local inhabitants of Africa have been using the different tree components to treat medical diseases, such as fever, diarrhea, malaria, cough, dysentery, and microbial infections. Recently, the tree gained the attention of scientists due to its medical and pharmaceutical properties and nutritional values, which generated a myriad number of investigations regarding its phytochemical and macro- and micronutrient contents. The fruit pulp is especially rich in vitamin C, pectin, fibers, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, and copper. Additionally, the leaves contain high levels of calcium, while the seeds are considered a good source of protein and fat. Altogether, they contain a variety of polyphenols, fatty acids, and amino acids. The tree extracts possess potent antioxidant, cell-protective, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, no information was found in the literature about the use of Baobab tree products in the dental field. The aim of this review is to discuss the well-documented medical effects and chemical and mineral components of the different Baobab tree parts from a dental point of view to open more areas of research concerning its potential applications in the dental field. Antioxidants and vitamin C are known to help in maintaining healthy periodontal and gingival tissues. They also help in wound healing and alveolar bone integrity. Moreover, phytochemicals and phenolic compounds have been utilized in controlling dental plaque and manufacturing intracanal medications as they manifest antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Furthermore, calcium and phosphorus incorporation in dental biomaterials is commonly used in vital pulp therapy and repairing bone defects. After reviewing the reported medicinal and pharmaceutical activities of the Baobab tree, it can be inferred that the tree extracts possess potential uses in the dental field, which requires further investigation for validation.

Xylogalacturonan-enriched pectin from the fruit pulp of Adansonia digitata: Structural characterization and antidepressant-like effect

The low methyl-esterified and acetylated xylogalacturonan (DM 20 %, DA 2 %, Mw ∼ 58 kDa) was isolated by water extraction for 4 h × 2 at 50 °C (yield 23 %) from the pulp of baobab fruit (Adansonia digitata L.). Subsequent tightening of the conditions for water extraction by mean increasing the temperature to 70 °C and time to 12 h led to the co-extraction of small amounts of starch components and RG I with xylogalacturonan. Structural analysis (DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography, HPSEC, monosaccharide analysis, NMR spectroscopy) revealed that about 12 mol. % of 1,4-linked α-GalpA residues were substituted by single β-Xylp residues at the O-3 position. The xylogalacturonan was found to possess an antidepressant-like effect in mice. The study offers using the baobab fruit as a rich source of soluble dietary fiber - water-soluble pectin with beneficial physiological effect.