Effects of Ajwa date seeds on the oxidative stability of butter

Butter is a widely used food product. However, owing to its rich fatty acid content (saturated and unsaturated fatty acids), it is prone to lipid oxidation, which may affect the quality of butter-containing products. Because of the possible toxic properties of synthetic antioxidants, recent research has focused on the use of natural antioxidants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Ajwa date seeds as natural antioxidants to retard lipid oxidation in butter. Date seeds as either a powder or extract were added to butter at concentrations of 0.5 % and 1 %; 100 % butter was used as the control. The samples were stored at 60 °C for 21 d. Radical scavenging activity, peroxide value, acid value, and thiobarbituric acid value (TBA) were analysed every 7 d. This study revealed a strong relationship between storage period and oxidative stability parameters. After 21 d, butter containing date seed powder exhibited higher radical scavenging activity than date seed extract. A reduction in peroxide, acid, and TBA values was also observed in butter samples containing date seed powder. In conclusion, date seed powder increased the oxidative stability of butter. Therefore, adding date seed powder to butter-rich food products can increase their shelf-life and stability.

TPD1-like Gene as a Suitable Marker for Early Sex Determination in Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a considerably beneficial and economically profitable fruit crop. Female date palm plants produce fruit that is rich in fiber and sugar. Date palm is propagated by two means: suckers and seed. The propagation of date palm through seeds is very necessary for germplasm conservation and breeding. The late reproductive age (4-5 years) and dioecious nature of date palm make genetic improvement and breeding difficult. Early sex determination is the only way to improve breeding by selecting experimental male and female plants at the seedling stage. The primers for Tapetum Determinant 1 (TPD1-like) were designed using Amplify software. The DNA amplification of selected date palm suckers of three genotypes (Ajwa, Amber, and Medjool) was observed through PCR. Expression profiling of selected genotypes was carried out through semi-q PCR and RT-PCR by using the cDNA of suckers and unknown seedlings. Different in silico analyses were performed for the gene and protein characterization and identification of cis-acting elements in the promoter region. The promoter was identified along with the protein's properties and functionality. The expression of TPD1-like gene was found in the leaves of three selected genotypes of male sucker and in some plants of selected unknown seedlings that are considered male plants, and no expression was observed in female suckers and unknown seedlings that are considered female plants. The findings suggested that the TPD1-like gene has the potential for sex differentiation at the seedling stage, as the TPD1-like gene is essential to the specialization of tapetal cells and plays a critical role in plant reproduction.

Role of Ajwa Date Fruit Pulp and Seed in the Management of Diseases through In Vitro and In Silico Analysis

Simple Summary

Most diseases result in an imbalance of antioxidant defense, inflammatory responses, and membrane permeabilization. The current therapeutic modules of disease prevention are not fully effective and have some adverse effects on physiological parameters. In this vista, medicinal plants and their active compounds have proven to be effective against disease prevention and treatment. Ajwa dates have high nutritional value and are reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. In the current in vitro study, Ajwa fruit pulp and seed extract were found to have strong antioxidant properties, stabilize the RBC membrane, and have a good protective capacity against protein denaturation. Besides this, the seed extract prevents glucose-mediated browning of BSA as well as inhibiting the development of cross-amyloid and AGEs formations. Molecular docking results confirm the interaction between functional residues of antioxidant enzymes and components of Ajwa fruit pulp and seed contents. Therefore, the consumption of Ajwa dates can be beneficial in disease prevention and treatment. However, more detailed study is required based on pharmacological aspects to determine the mechanisms of action of Ajwa dates’ components in disease prevention.

Abstract

This study investigated the health-promoting activities of methanolic extracts of Ajwa date seed and fruit pulp extracts through in vitro studies. These studies confirmed potential antioxidant, anti-hemolytic, anti-proteolytic, and anti-bacterial activities associated with Ajwa dates. The EC₅₀ values of fruit pulp and seed extracts in methanol were reported to be 1580.35 ± 0.37 and 1272.68 ± 0.27 µg/mL, respectively, in the DPPH test. The maximum percentage of hydrogen peroxide-reducing activity was 71.3 and 65.38% for both extracts at 600 µg/mL. Fruit pulp and seed extracts inhibited heat-induced BSA denaturation by 68.11 and 60.308%, heat-induced hemolysis by 63.84% and 58.10%, and hypersalinity-induced hemolysis by 61.71% and 57.27%, and showed the maximum anti-proteinase potential of 56.8 and 51.31% at 600 μg/mL, respectively. Seed and fruit pulp inhibited heat-induced egg albumin denaturation at the same concentration by 44.31 and 50.84%, respectively. Ajwa seed showed minimum browning intensity by 63.2%, percent aggregation index by 64.2%, and amyloid structure by 63.8% at 600 μg/mL. At 100 mg/mL, Ajwa seed extract exhibited good antibacterial activity. Molecular docking analysis showed that ten active constituents of Ajwa seeds bind with the critical antioxidant enzymes, catalase (1DGH) and superoxide dismutase (5YTU). The functional residues involved in such interactions include Arg72, Ala357, and Leu144 in 1DGH, and Gly37, Pro13, and Asp11 in 5YTU. Hence, Ajwa dates can be used to develop a suitable alternative therapy in various diseases, including diabetes and possibly COVID-19-associated complications.

Ajwa Nanopreparation Prevents Doxorubicin-Associated Cardiac Dysfunction: Effect on Cardiac Ischemia and Antioxidant Capacity

Background: This study evaluated the cardioprotective effect of Ajwa nano-preparation against doxorubicin-associated cardiotoxicity. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided into 3 groups. One group was given the nanopreparation containing both Ajwa fruit and pit in a dose of 1.4 g/kg orally 1 hour before doxorubicin infusion (Dates-DOX group). Another group was given the vehicle for 1 hour before doxorubicin infusion (DOX group). The third group received the vehicle but no DOX infusion (time control). Cardiac hemodynamics, blood pressure, cardiac contractility, and conductivity were recorded before and after 45 minutes of infusion of doxorubicin (15 mg/kg, slow intravenous over 45 minutes). Blood samples were collected before and after doxorubicin infusion. Heart tissue samples were collected and snap frozen until assay of reduced glutathione. Results: Rats pre-administered Ajwa nanopreparation were protected from doxorubicin-associated systolic and diastolic dysfunction based on the significant elevation in the rate of rise in left ventricular pressure (dp/dt_max) and (dp/dt_min) compared with the DOX group. In addition, it prevented the doxorubicin-associated ischemia based on the significant shortening in QT interval, JT interval, and T_peak-T_end interval versus the DOX group. There was no effect on atrial conductivity (PR interval and P duration). Ajwa pretreatment increased the antioxidant capacity of cardiac tissue, as evidenced by increasing the cardiac content of reduced glutathione compared with the untreated doxorubicin group. Conclusion: Ajwa nanopreparation protects from doxorubicin-associated cardiotoxicity through alleviating cardiac ischemia and increasing cardiac antioxidant capacity.

Effects of Phoenix dactylifera Ajwa on Infection, Hospitalization, and Survival Among Pediatric Cancer Patients in a University Hospital: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial

This nonrandomized controlled trial determined the effects of Phoenix dactylifera palm date (Ajwa) intake on the number of infections and hospitalizations associated with fever, neutropenia, and mortality of pediatric cancer patients admitted between 2008 and 2017 to King Abdulaziz University Hospital (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia). Patients were eligible to be enrolled if they fulfilled the inclusion criteria, were not allergic to Ajwa, and were not enrolled in another study. Of 200 screened patients, 56 were included and 144 were excluded. Of the 56, 26 agreed to take Ajwa, and 30 served as controls. Both groups were assessed based on infection rates, frequency of hospital admissions for fever and neutropenia, and mortality rate. Background information regarding demographics, clinicopathological data, and treatment options was documented. Supplementation of Ajwa significantly reduced hospital admissions (for fever-associated neutropenia) and infections (P = .009 and P < .001, respectively). Off-treatment did not significantly differ between the Ajwa and control groups. The Ajwa group had a better survival rate in comparison to the non-Ajwa group (stratified log-rank P = .005), where the main cause of death of patients in the non-Ajwa group was disease progression associated with infections (77%). In summary, Ajwa intake during the standard treatment of pediatric cancer patients improved their treatment outcome.

In vivo evaluation of hypolipidemic and antioxidative effect of 'Ajwa' (Phoenix dactylifera L.) date seed-extract in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rat model

In the present study, we investigated the hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective potential of the commercially available crushed Ajwa date seed-extract on the toxicity caused by the atorvastatin in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Male albino rats were divided into two main groups, Group I (normal control) and Group II (HFD); Group II was further divided into four subgroups: Group IIa (HFD control), Group IIb (Atorvastatin: A10)-6 rats were administered with 10 mg/kg atorvastatin daily for 30 days, Group IIc (Ajwa seed extract: AJ)-6 rats were given 1000 mg/kg Ajwa seed extract daily for 30 days, Group IId (AJ + A10)-6 rats were given Ajwa seed extract 1000 mg/kg and Atorvastatin 10 mg/kg daily for 30 days. The data obtained suggested that Ajwa seed extract lowered the serum cholesterol level in HFD rats and demonstrated the hepatoprotective effect in combination with atorvastatin by reducing the levels of ALT and AST. In conclusion, it protected the tissues from the detrimental effects of hyperglycemia and enhanced antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the dose-limiting toxicity of atorvastatin may be reduced if the Ajwa seed extract is incorporated in the current treatment regimens to treat hyperlipidemia in hypercholesteremic individuals.

In Vivo Evaluation of Anti Diabetic, Hypolipidemic, Antioxidative Activities of Saudi Date Seed Extract on Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

INTRODUCTION

Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) is major fruit of gulf region. In folk medicine; dates have been traditionally use. The date seed is used as hypoglycaemic, expectorant, tonic, aphrodisiac, antidiarrheic and mouth hygiene.

AIM

This study intended to evaluate the anti-diabetic, hypolipidaemic and antioxidative activities of date seed extract in diabetes-induced rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Total of seven groups of rats, consisting of control rats and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats treated with aqueous seed extract in concentration of 100g/L in dosage of 10ml/day/rat. To evaluate the anti-diabetic property, glucose and weight was analysed weekly and at the end of eight week all rats were sacrificed. To evaluate the hypolipidaemic and antioxidative activities, serum cholesterol, triglyceride, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine were estimated. Liver enzymes and kidney function tests were performed. Moreover to verify the glycaemic effect; glycated haemoglobin and serum insulin was performed.

RESULTS

Aqueous seed extract in concentration of 100 gm/L in dosage of 10ml/day/rat brings a significant reduction of blood glucose levels in diabetic rats in comparison of control rats. There were significant differences in the investigated clinical chemistry and oxidative stress parameters between control and diabetic rats with both seed extract of Ajwa and Sukkari dates.

CONCLUSION

Present study verifies the antidiabetic property, of aqueous seed extracts of two different varieties of dates namely Ajwa and Sukkari of Kingdom of Saudi on streptozotocin induced Diabetic rats. Prolong treatments with the extract restores the function of liver and kidney and balance the oxidative stress condition in diabetic treated rats.