In-vitro Investigation of Polyphenol-Rich Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Seed Extract Bioactivity

Abstract

Date seeds are a by-product of the date fruit processing industry with minimal human use; however, they are a rich source of polyphenols with a range of potential biological properties. The current study investigates the cytotoxicity of date seed polyphenols against cancer cell lines, its ability to combat hyperglycemia, its antioxidant potential and its anti-adipogenic effect. The present work aimed to establish the usefulness of date seeds in the food industry as a functional ingredient. The anti-tumour activity of DSE was tested in a panel of cell lines such as MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, Hep-G2, Caco-2, and PC-3 by measuring cell viability and cleaved PARP. Lipid accumulation and effect on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells (adipocytes) were tested with date seed extract treatments. The influence of date seed polyphenols on glucose uptake was studied in 3T3-L1 cells and C2C12 cells (muscle cells). The antioxidant activity of the polyphenols from date seed products such as date seed extract (DSE), date seed powder (DSP), and date seeds fortified bread (DSB) was tested following in-vitro digestion to study their stability in the gastrointestinal milieu. DSE treatment resulted in significantly reduced viability in MCF-7 and Hep-G2 cells with 48-h treatments. Glucose uptake increased in the adipocytes with DSE treatments; moreover, it inhibited adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation. DSE decreased the expression levels of PPAR-γ, C/EBPα, adiponectin and upregulated GLUT-4, and phospho-AMPK. This study also found that date seed samples retained antioxidant activity in the digestive milieu and concludes that the date seed polyphenols remain active in the digestive milieu and exhibit potential anti-hyperglycemic and anti-adipogenic activity.

The effect of date seed (Phoenix dactylifera) supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress biomarkers, and performance in active people: A blinded randomized controlled trial protocol

“…Due to having different ingredients, these multi-nutrient supplements lead to several simultaneous effects, such as modulation of antioxidant capacity, inflammation, muscle fatigue, and subsequently enhancing athletes' performance [ 48 , 49 ]. It has been shown that date seeds as a functional food have a wide range of healthful properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective, anti -hyperlipidemic, antiaging, and memory improvement [ 20 , 29 , 50 , 51 ]. Also, it is worth mentioning that the chemical constituents' polyphenols, flavan-3-ols, especially catechins and epicatechins, and prebiotics are the critical contributors to the mentioned conventional activities [ 51 , 52 ].…”

Utilization of Fruit Seed-Based Bioactive Compounds for Formulating the Nutraceuticals and Functional Food: A Review

“…In the Vivo studies, the anti-cancer activities of date seeds were recently demonstrated by Hilary et al ( 97 ). Zhang et al also demonstrated similar results to Inhibit cell proliferation in gastric, colon, breast, and lung tumor lines ( 96 ).…”

Biochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Seeds: A Review

“…Hilary and colleagues (2021) investigated the total polyphenol content of DSE, DSP, and date seed Arabic pita bread (DSB). It was found that the polyphenol content increased following digestion of DSB [ 9 ]. Polyphenols protect cell constituents such as DNA, protein, and lipid against oxidative damage by eliminating free radicals.…”

“…There have been extensive studies carried out on the effects of date seeds in terms of pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammation, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties [ 7 , 8 ]. Owing to its health benefits, date seeds possess high potential as a nutritional therapeutic agent for several chronic diseases [ 9 ]. This paper reviews the date seed nutritional components, biological activities, and its application in medicine and other non-conventional uses.…”