Friday Hope: Date Palm: A Safe and Effective Add-On Supplement for COVID

Another wonder-supplement with Anti-Cancer, Anti-Diabetic and Neuroprotective Properties

I am very happy to report this week on yet another overall fantastic supplement that is not only effective against COVID but is also effective and/or protective against a wide range of diseases. The humble date palm, available in almost every grocery store, has a storied past.

In Ancient Rome, the palm fronds used in triumphal processions to symbolize victory were most likely those of P. dactylifera.[48] The date palm was a popular garden plant in Roman peristyle gardens, though it would not bear fruit in the more temperate climate of Italy.[49] It is recognizable in frescoes from Pompeii and elsewhere in Italy, including a garden scene from the House of the Wedding of Alexander.[49] In later times, traders spread dates around southwest Asia, northern Africa, and Spain. Dates were introduced into California by the Spaniards by 1769, existing by then around Mission San Diego de Alcalá, and were introduced to Mexico as early as the 16th century.[50]

Dates are mentioned more than 50 times in the Bible and 20 times in the Quran. Date palms holds great significance in Abrahamic religions. The tree was heavily cultivated as a food source in ancient Israel where Judaism and subsequently Christianity developed.[51] Date palm leaves are used for Palm Sunday in the Christian religion.

Date palm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_palm

It is not just the fruit that is medicinally useful. Other parts of the Date Palm tree are quite beneficial, as well.

Date seeds were found to be effective against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Aqueous date pollen was used to manage hormonal problems and boost fertility. Palm leaves showed anti-hyperglycemic effects via inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Unlike previous studies, this study highlighted the functional roles of all the plant parts of the palm tree and provided insights into the various mechanism of action of their bioactive compounds. Although scientific shreds of evidence have been growing over the years, there is still a dearth of studies concerning the clinical validation of the date fruit and other plant parts to provide strong evidence on their medicinal uses. In conclusion, P. dactylifera can be regarded as a potent medicinal plant with prophylactic potential and should be further explored to alleviate the burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Nutritional, medicinal and functional properties of different parts of the date palm and its fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) - A systematic review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37070182/

In regard to COVID, date palm leaf extract was proven to ameliorate several biochemical parameters associated with the disease.

A very recent study by Ghasem Takdehghan et al. reported that several biochemical parameters amelioration evidenced when compared to the placebo group. The study parameters were on testing the CRP levels, white blood cells, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, lactate dehydrogenase, and the pressure of oxygen (PO2). The study was conducted with 136 patients who were mildly and moderately affected with COVID-19 and the patients have received regular medication along with the date palm leaf extraction solution five times a day. The extraction of 5 mL was diluted in 30 mL water and all the procedures were done under the physician’s monitoring. The study reported the decrease of C-reactive proteins (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and lactate dehydrogenase in the treated group. The PO2 levels and white blood cells were also significantly increased with the date palm interventions.

The fruit shows great potential in treating COVID inflammation, oxidation and tumor induction/acceleration, as well.

On the other hand, natural sources such as Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) can act as a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumoral, thus providing an alternative therapy in various diseases. The anti-inflammatory capability of the aqueous-ethanolic extract was determined by its inhibitory effect on phospholipase A2 activity and carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice. In in vitro, the extract suppressed phospholipase A2 activity with an IC50 of 130 g/mL, and in vivo studies demonstrated a substantial reduction in paw edema after 1 h when compared to the control group [45, 117].

When we look at other diseases and conditions, Date Palm possesses the ability to treat them as well.

DIABETES

DPF seed extract has also been shown to increase endogenous insulin secretion in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice (STZ). When diabetic mice were given dates instead of insulin alone, C-peptide levels increased significantly, indicating increased endogenous insulin secretion. The number of B cells can be increased by flavonoids and a possible mechanism would be to stimulate insulin secretion [123].

NEUROPROTECTION

Several experimental studies evaluated the neuroprotective potential of palm dates (Phoenix dactylifera). Recently, Imad Uddin et al. (2020) published a review on the protective role of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) on central nervous system disorders. Different models [pentylenetetrazole, picrotoxin, nicotine and maximal electroshock induced epileptic models [152], Cerebral ischemic model [153–157]; Lead acetate induced neuronal damage [158–160], Artesunate induced cerebellar damage [161], APPsw/Tg2576 Transgenic mice [162, 163], Scopolamine & Streptozotocin-induced memory loss [164], Pentobarbitone induced sleeping time, locomotor activity assessment model [165], Beta-amyloid induced hippocampal damage been used to induce neuronal damage and possible protective effect and mechanism of action of date palm (aqueous/methanolic/ethanolic) extracts been studied and suggested the presence of flavonoids, tannins and other polyphenols constituents in palm date is responsible for its neuroprotective and cerebral anti-ischemic actions [166].

ANTIHEMOLYTIC

DPF (Phoenix dactylifera) is a natural medicinal food exhibiting good antihemolytic activity and is reported by different studies as given in Table ​Table66.

It has been suggested that the involvement of flavonoids, as well as other polyphenolic contents in date palm, is responsible for their antihemolytic activity and the erythrocyte membrane stability [72, 170].

Bioactivity and Pharmacological Potential of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Against Pandemic COVID-19: a Comprehensive Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9110634/

I have certainly renewed my appreciation for dates. It informs me that how we structure our eating should not only account for a broad palate, but also provide a broad canvas on which we may create a culinary “painting,” thoughtfully allowing us the best nutrition possible.

It is a beautiful Friday afternoon here in Northern Vermont. I wish I could translate the warmth of today’s bright Spring sun into words. However, I’m certain each of us has their own untranslatable joys of this season. Blessings and hope to all this weekend.

Thank you, as always, for your continued readership, dialog and support.