Anti-Alzheimer Activity of Date Fruit

Phoenix dactylifera (Arecaceae) a cousin of lily is cultivated primarily as a fruit. P. dactylifera (PD) is found to possess useful medicinal properties, such as anti-viral, gonadotropic and anti-tubercular. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of P. dactylifera fruit (Date) on cognitive functions in mice. A total of 180 young mice divided in 36 groups were employed in the present study. PD fruit was administered orally in three doses (5, 10, 20 mg w/w) for seven successive days to different groups of mice. The learning and memory parameters were assessed using elevated plus maze and passive avoidance apparatus. PD fruit showed significant improvement in the memory of animals as reflected by increased step down latency and decreased transfer latency. It also reversed the amnesia caused by scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) and diazepam (1mg/kg, i.p.). Furthermore, PD fruit reduced significantly the central (brain) cholinesterase activity in mice. Since diminished cholinergic transmission appears to be responsible for the development of dementia in Alzheimer patients, PD fruit may prove to be a useful medicine on account of its multifarious beneficial effects. PD fruit appears to be a promising candidate for improving memory and it could be worthwhile to explore the potential of this fruit (Date) clinically in the management of Alzheimer’s disease.