Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and In-Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Aqueous Hyphaene thebaica Fruit Pulp

Abstract

Natural products from plants, including fruits, seeds, barks, leaves, and other plant parts, are endowed with various phytochemicals and nutritional elements with diverse nutraceutical and pharmacological potentials for the management and treatment of various human health disorders, including oxidative stress-related diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammatory disorders. These diseases are fueled by the actions of free radicals, whose effects on body tissues and organs can be neutralized by antioxidants. Our study investigated the preliminary phytochemical screening and in-vitro antioxidant activities of a Nigerian edible wild fruit, Hyphaene thebaica, commonly known as doum palm or gingerbread palm, a member of the mint family (Arecaceae). The fruit is traditionally used to treat diabetes, hematuria, and worm infestations. Spectrophotometric phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, reducing sugars, tannins, saponins, steroids, and other vital phytochemicals. In-vitro free radical scavenging assays demonstrated the extract's significant ability to scavenge free radicals, comparable to the standard antioxidant ascorbic acid. These findings suggest that H. thebaica fruit pulp holds promise for managing oxidative stress-related disorders.