Biological Activities of the Doum Palm (Hyphaene thebaica L.) Extract and Its Bioactive Components

Abstract

The doum palm (Hyphaene thebaica) is a type palm tree which has a wood texture and has edible oval fruits and the origin native to upper Egypt. The trunk of this small palm is dichotomous. It is one of the most important useful plants in the world. All parts of doum palm have a useful role such as fiber and leaflets which used to weave baskets and doum nuts which have antioxidants and secondary metabolites such as tannins, phenols, saponin, steroids, glycosides, flavonoid, terpenes and terpinoids. Also, roots, stems and leaves are used in medicine, ropes and baskets. Studies on anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer and pharmacological potential of Hyphaene thebaica extracts and its major phytoconstituents like the phenolic, essential oil and flavonoid compounds are extensively discussed in this review.Also, it is very resistant to destruction by fire in scrub or a forest [3]. This chapter focuses on the biological activities and beneficial effects of the Doum palm extract and its bioactive components in humans. Botanical descriptionThe doum palm is a dioecious palm and grows up to 17 m (56 ft) high. The trunk, which can have a girth of up to 90 cm (35 in), the trunk divided into two branches, each branch divided again into two branches, and the ends of the branches contain tufts of large leaves. The bark is smooth, dark gray and contains the scars of fallen leaves. The petioles are about 1 m long, sheathing the branch at the base and contain curved claws. The leaves are fan-shaped and measure about 120 by 180 cm (47 by 71 in) (Figure 1). Male and female flowers are produced on separate trees. The inflorescences are similar in general appearance, up to about 1.2 m (3 ft. 11 in) long, irregular in the branching and have two or three spikes in each branch. Male flowers have a short-stalk, solitary in pits of the spadix, spathe-bracts encircling the spadix, pointed. Branches of female spadices become thicker in the fruiting stage. Woody fruits are produced in the female palm that continues on the tree for a long time. They are 6-10 × 6-8 cm, smooth, rectangular to cubical with rounded edges, shiny brown when ripe. Its fresh weight is about 120 g and dry weight is about 60 g and each one containing a single seed. The size of seeds about 2-3.5 × 3 cm, the color is ivory, truncate at the base and the apex is obtuse [4]. Traditional usesH. thebaica tree is one of the most useful plants in the world [5]. Along the Nile, people used its fiber and leaflets to spin baskets. The fruits of doum palm are contained antioxidants [6]. Palms are used for firewood and charcoal. Leaves are probably the most important part of Figure 1. Hyphaene thebaica L. (Doum).

Effects of Dietary Doum Palm Fruit Powder on Growth, Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Response, and Disease Resistance of African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus (B.)

“…Although there is no available data on the impact of doum palm on fish growth and feed intake, the growth improvement offered by dietary doum palm can be returned to better nutritional status. High contents of proteins (2.86-5.01%), fibers (52.26-66.5%), essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals in doum palm justify its high nutritional value [21,23]. Moreover, the mesocarp of doum palm is very palatable and highly aromatic with a sweet smell [55].…”

“…Pectins present in DPFP may lower the total cholesterol by reducing the cholesterol absorption from the diet and, therefore, may be attributed to the cholesterol and triglyceride-lowering effect of DPFP [74]. The lipid-lowering effect of DPFP can also be explained by its high content of antioxidants, such as flavonoids and polyphenols compounds, that prevent lipid peroxidation and formation of lipo-peroxides, which are atherosclerosis agents [21,75]. Moreover, glycosides (saponins) present in doum palm are known to form complexes with cholesterol and bile in the intestine, thereby indirectly reducing the cholesterol level in the blood, which may also rationalize this effect of DPFP [24].…”

“…Doum palm fruit (DPF) has several applications in the food industry, such as in the manufacture of sweetmeats, cakes, and nutritious drinks [20]. The energy required by livestock is obtained from the high protein and carbohydrate (89.25%) contents of DPF [21,22]. Fatty acids, especially the essential linoleic acid and nutritional trace minerals, such as iron, copper, and cobalt, along with low anti-nutritional factors present in this fruit, are vital for the physiological functions of vertebrate organs [23].…”

“…Scientists have identified several active constituents of DPF, including flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, hydroxycinnamates, glycosides, essential oils, and terpenoids. As a consequence, DPF has potent antioxidant, immune-stimulatory, and antimicrobial activities [21]. To avoid the lethal and toxic effects even after DPF overdose, a broad safety margin is essential and the acute toxicity studies of DPF decoction in rats have substantiated adequate safety margin of this fruit [24].…”

Screening of Methanolic Extract for Antimicrobial Activity of Hyphaene thebaica L. Fruit Pulp from Sudanese Folklore

“…In literature, studies showed that Doum fruit has good nutritional and pharmaceutical properties; it contains carbohydrates, fibers, essential minerals, vitamin B-complex substantial for good nutrition, in addition to good amounts of phenolic compounds which are important in regulating various physiological processes in the human body [8,9]. Studies on Doum fruits have revealed a wealth of curative agents; it was found that Doum fruit is a good source of potent antioxidants and anticancer compounds [10,11], anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and antimicrobial activity [12].…”