ABSTRACT
Abstract@#Introduction: Arterial and venous thromboses contribute to significant morbidity and mortality rate, thus an antithrombotic agent is needed for prevention and treatment of thrombosis. Ajwa dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) reportedly contain a high level of salicylic acid which is a compound responsible for anticoagulation via antagonism of vitamin K. The present study was designed to assess coagulation activities in human plasma treated with Ajwa date extracts in vitro. Methods: Platelet-poor plasma samples from 27 donors were treated with ethanol crude date extract (ET) or aqueous crude date extract (AQ) of Ajwa dates at different concentrations to generate the following seven test groups from each donor: control (normal saline), ET-I (0.1 g/mL), ET-II (0.5 g/mL), ET-III (1.0 g/mL), AQ-I (0.1 g/ mL), AQ-II (0.5 g/mL) and AQ-III (1.0 g/mL). In vitro coagulation activities of Ajwa dates were assessed based on prothrombin time (PT, an assessment of extrinsic coagulation pathway), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT, an assessment of the intrinsic coagulation pathway), and thrombin time (TT, an evaluation of level and function of fibrinogen). Results: A very significant prolongation of PT, APTT and TT were observed for the ET-II and ET-III groups and very significant prolongation of PT and TT was observed for the AQ-II and AQ-III groups. Significant prolongation of TT was observed in the AQ-I group. Conclusion: In conclusion, Ajwa date extracts had an anticoagulation effect on human plasma.
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Objective: To investigate different types of dates and medical properties of influencing blood clotting and wound healing in an animal model. Methods: Three different cultivars of dates (Ajwa, Khalas, and Fardh) were examined in-vivo, for blood clotting and wound healing using CD1 mice of both sexes. Study of toxicity to animals was performed accordingly prior to further investigations. The ethanolic extracts were given orally to animals as a constituent in their daily water. Blood samples were obtained from the mice inferior vena cava to carry out the prothrombin time (PT) assay using the manual method and confirmed using a semi-automated machine. The bleeding time (BT) assay was performed using the cutting technique. In the wound healing analysis, a small cut (5-10 mm) in the skin overlying the thigh was conducted in all mice under anesthesia. The diameter of the cut and healing status were measured on a daily basis throughout the time of the experiment using a roller. Results: Ajwa was able to elevate both PT and BT (P<0.05), significantly in a time-dependent manner followed by Khalas date (P<0.05). The results of PT and BT of Fardh date were found to be very close to those of the control group (P<0.05). Despite its activity as an anticoagulant, Khalas date showed a potential property to enhance wound healing in contrast to other dates and the control groups in this study. Conclusions: Omani Khalas date fruit has both antithrombotic as well as wound healing properties. The results open a new gate with these fruits for exploring the potential component(s) that may play an important role in antithrombotic as well as wound healing process.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate different types of dates and medical properties of influencing blood clotting and wound healing in an animal model. Methods: Three different cultivars of dates (Ajwa, Khalas, and Fardh) were examined in-vivo, for blood clotting and wound healing using CD1 mice of both sexes. Study of toxicity to animals was performed accordingly prior to further investigations. The ethanolic extracts were given orally to animals as a constituent in their daily water. Blood samples were obtained from the mice inferior vena cava to carry out the prothrombin time (PT) assay using the manual method and confirmed using a semi-automated machine. The bleeding time (BT) assay was performed using the cutting technique. In the wound healing analysis, a small cut (5-10 mm) in the skin overlying the thigh was conducted in all mice under anesthesia. The diameter of the cut and healing status were measured on a daily basis throughout the time of the experiment using a roller. Results: Ajwa was able to elevate both PT and BT (P<0.05), significantly in a time-dependent manner followed by Khalas date (P<0.05). The results of PT and BT of Fardh date were found to be very close to those of the control group (P<0.05). Despite its activity as an anticoagulant, Khalas date showed a potential property to enhance wound healing in contrast to other dates and the control groups in this study. Conclusions: Omani Khalas date fruit has both antithrombotic as well as wound healing properties. The results open a new gate with these fruits for exploring the potential component(s) that may play an important role in antithrombotic as well as wound healing process.
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Objective: To evaluate and compare the antioxidant activity, total phenolic contents (TPCs) and in vitro antidiabetic activity of various pits extracts obtained from five Omani date cultivars. Methods: Sun-dried mature fruits of five Omani date varieties, namely, Fardh, Naghal, Khalas, Khinazi and Khasab were purchased from the local market in Muscat, Oman in the month of September 2014. Four seed extracts viz. water, ethanol, methanol and acetone were prepared for each date variety and their antioxidant activities were investigated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, hydrogen peroxide scavenging method and reducing power assay method, respectively. In vitro antidiabetic activity of the date pit extracts was evaluated by measuring their inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase and α-amylase level. TPCs were also quantified colorimetrically. Results: The results indicated that TPC of date seeds was solvent dependent. Acetone, ethanol and methanol were found to be significantly better solvents than water in extracting phenolic compounds from the date seeds. Pit extracts exhibited moderate to good in vitro antioxidant activity and increased reducing power. Among all date pit extracts, water extract exhibited significant in vitro antidiabetic activity in comparison to standard drug, acarbose. Conclusions: The present study confirms that disposed waste of Omani dates is a rich source of dietary antioxidant because of its high TPC. The pits due to their inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase and α-amylase level could be used as a monotherapy along with an appropriate diabetic diet and exercise or might be in conjunction with antidiabetic therapy to manage and prevent progression of diabetes.
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The use of opioids has gain popularity in the field of medicine especially in treating chronic terminally ill patients. Unfortunately, several adverse effects in relation to its use have been reported. Literature search on the adversity of opioids in treating pain, its paradoxical hyperalgesic effects and susceptibility to addiction were conducted using Pubmed, Embase and Google Scholar without species limitation. This brief article focuses on the corresponding neuro-protective, hepato-protective, anti-inflammatory, ulcero-protective and nephron-protective functions of (Phoenix dactylifera L) to elaborate on evidences, mechanisms, modulatory and pharmacological significance to counteract adverse effects of opioid treatment and provide insight on the underlying mechanisms of addiction.