Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Aqueous Extract of Phoenix dactylifera Fruits in Levofloxacin-Induced Inflammation in Wistar Female Rats

Abstract

Phoenix dactylifera, also known as date palm, from time immemorial has been using both for nutritional and medicinal purposes. The present study aimed to evaluate the pro-inflammatory and antioxidant enzymes/biomarkers activities of aqueous extract of Phoenix dactylifera in Levofloxacin–induced inflammation in female rats. A powdered sample of the edible portion of the plant was extracted using the cold-water extraction method. A total of 30 female rats were divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each and were administered different doses of Phoenix dactylifera aqueous extract, ranging from 100, 200, and 400mg/bodyweight, while the reference group was administered the standard drug diclofenac, and the 5th group was left untreated and uninduced. At the end of the study, the animals were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected for analysis. Determination of pro-inflammatory enzymes and antioxidant enzymes was carried out using standard procedures. Findings from the study indicate that the aqueous extract of Phoenix dactylifera exhibits its action in a dose-dependent manner, also it competes favorably well with the group administered the reference drug. Thus, the finding from the study justifies the use of the plant in the treatment of several inflammatory-related illnesses in folk medicine.