Comparative chemical and biological studies of leaves and pollens of Phoenix canariensis hort. ex Chabaud.

AIM: Phoenix canariensis hort. ex Chabaud is one of the most important palm plants. In spite of that, it has not been extensively investigated from a phytochemical or a biological perspective.

MATERIALS & METHODS: Air-dried powdered leaves and pollen grains of the plant were extracted using 70% ethanol. The residues were fractionated with different solvents of increasing polarity. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-hyperglycemic activities were determined using adult male albino rats of wistar strain.

RESULTS: Phytochemical investigation of Phoenix canariensis (Arecaceae) leaves and pollens led to the isolation of five compounds; isorhamnetin-3-O-β-glucoside and isorhamnetin 7-O-rutinoside from the leaves in addition to isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside and rutin together with β sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside from pollens. The 70% ethanolic extracts of both organs were found to possess the highest antioxidant activity followed by their ethyl acetate fractions. Seventy percent ethanolic leaf extract and its ethyl acetate fraction showed the most potent hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycemic activities as compared with reference drugs. Isorhamnetin-7-O-rutinoside and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside were isolated from the genus and from Phoenix canariensis for the first time.

CONCLUSION: This study reveals that Phoenix canariensis is an efficient natural source of safe antioxidants, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective agents.