PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Aljohani, Ahmad K.
AU  - Maghrabi, Nader A.
AU  - Alrehili, Osama M.
AU  - Alharbi, Abdulaziz S.
AU  - Alsihli, Rawad S.
AU  - Alharthe, Abdulrahman M.
AU  - Albladi, Rayan S.
AU  - Alosaimi, Khalid A.
AU  - Albadrani, Bader M.
AU  - Miski, Samar F.
AU  - Elbadawy, Hossein M.
AU  - Alrehaili, Bandar D.
AU  - Abdelkarem, Fahd A.
AU  - Hussein, Modather F.
TI  - Ajwa date extract (<em>Phoenix dactylifera L.</em>)
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2025.46.1.20240780
DP  - 2025 Jan 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 26--35
VI  - 46
IP  - 1
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/46/1/26.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/46/1/26.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2025 Jan 01; 46
AB  - Objectives: To investigate the phytochemical composition of Ajwa date extract and evaluate its antiviral activity and mechanism of action.Methods: High perfomance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to analyze the phytochemical profile of Ajwa date extract. The antiviral activity was assessed using the MTT colorimetric assay against herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-I) and coxsackievirus B4 (CVB-4). Assessment of the mechanism of action against HSV-I was carried out using 3 protocols. Molecular docking and quantum chemical calculations were carried out to predict the binding affinities of the identified compounds to viral glycoprotein D.Results: A total of 17 metabolites belonging to different classes of metabolites, mainly flavonoids, phenolic acid derivatives, fatty acids, and sugar derivatives. Ajwa extract exhibited antiviral activity against HSV-I with an IC: 50 of 113.99±4.67 μg/mL, whereas it showed limited activity against CVB-4. The antiviral activity of Ajwa extract was mainly attributed to its cell protectant activity by preventing adherence of viral to host cell with an IC: 50 equal to 57.82±1.37μg/mL. Molecular docking studies indicated that chlorogenic acid had the strongest binding affinity to viral glycoprotein D, which suggests its potential role in inhibiting viral entry into host cells.Conclusion: The Ajwa date extract demonstrated promising antiviral activity, especially against HSV-I. Integrating in vitro and in silico analyses provided valuable insights into the mechanisms of action.