RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Ajwa date extract (<em>Phoenix dactylifera L.</em>)
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 26
OP 35
DO 10.15537/smj.2025.46.1.20240780
VO 46
IS 1
A1 Aljohani, Ahmad K.
A1 Maghrabi, Nader A.
A1 Alrehili, Osama M.
A1 Alharbi, Abdulaziz S.
A1 Alsihli, Rawad S.
A1 Alharthe, Abdulrahman M.
A1 Albladi, Rayan S.
A1 Alosaimi, Khalid A.
A1 Albadrani, Bader M.
A1 Miski, Samar F.
A1 Elbadawy, Hossein M.
A1 Alrehaili, Bandar D.
A1 Abdelkarem, Fahd A.
A1 Hussein, Modather F.
YR 2025
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/46/1/26.abstract
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.