Anti-inflammatory effect of Algerian date fruit (<i>Phoenix dactylifera</i>)

Abstract

From ages, dates are consumed by humans for its beneficial health and nutritional values. The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory effect of Algerian date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera). A quantity of 50 mg/kg of the P. dactylifera extract was analyzed in vivo using the formalin-induced paw edema test in mice. The inflammation level was detected by the measure of the edema size, also the dosage of C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine levels in the blood. The results showed a highly significant decrease in the edema size and the level of the homocysteine in the blood (P = .000) and significant decrease in CRP values (P < 0.05) in the 50 mg/kg plant extract group compared to Control, Methionine 400 mg/kg and (Plant + Methionine) groups. The study suggests that the extract possesses enough potential to reduce inflammation by in vivo and directs the importance of further research and development of novel anti-inflammatory agents.