title: A matured fruit extract of date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.) stimulates the cellular immune system in mice.
abstract: The immunomodulatory effects of a hot water extract from matured fruit of the date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.) were investigated in comparison to those of prune and fig fruit in mice. The number of spleen IFN-γ(+)CD4(+), IFN-γ(+)CD49b(+) and IL-12(+)CD11b(+) cells was highest in mice given the date extract-added diet. Polyphenols identified in the date extract, such as chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, pelargonin and ferulic acid, stimulated IFN-γ mRNA expression significantly in mouse Peyer's patch cell cultures. Chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid also increased the number of IFN-γ(+)CD4(+) cells significantly, while some polyphenols increased the number of IFN-γ(+)CD49b(+) and IL-12(+)CD11b(+) cells significantly. On the other hand, a 70% ethanol-insoluble date extract treated with trypsin increased the number of IFN-γ(+)CD49b(+) and IL-12(+)CD11b(+) cells significantly. These results indicate that some polyphenols and polysaccharides present in date fruit stimulate the cellular immune system in mice.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Minamiminowa-mura 8304, Kamiina-gun, Nagano 399-4598, Japan.
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karasawa
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Uzuhashi
authors.forename: Mitsuru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hirota
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Otani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D028023:Arecaceae; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D010581:Peyer's Patches / Q000276:immunology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D007371:Interferon-gamma