Anti-inflammatory effect of Algerian date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera)

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 50mg/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 50mg/kg plant extract group compared to Control, Methionine 400mg/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.