Medicinal Properties of Desert Date Plants (Balanites aegyptiaca)-An Overview

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Global Journal of Pharmacology 12 (1): 01-12, 2018
ISSN 1992-0075
© IDOSI Publications, 2018
DOI: 10.5829/idosi.gjp.2018.01.12
Corresponding Auhor: Saed A. Al-Thobaiti, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences,
King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 139109, Jeddah 21323, Saudi Arabia.
Tel: +966503052017, E-mail: saiad1402@gmail.com.
1
Medicinal Properties of Desert Date Plants
(Balanites aegyptiaca) – An Overview
Saed A. Al-Thobaiti and Isam M. Abu Zeid
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences,
King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 139109, Jeddah 21323, Saudi Arabia
Abstract: Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del, an evergreen, woody, spinous flowering tree about 10 m height
referred to as ‘desert date,’ is a fabulous therapeutic source of curing ailments. It is a member of the family
Balanitaceea which is broadly spread in waterless land areas of Africa and Southern part of Asia. It consists
of saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and organic acids. Different parts of the
plant are confirmed to be utilized in folkloric medicines for the treatment of many diseases. These traditional
uses of B. aegyptiaca (L.) Del were scientifically proven by many studies including in vivo,in vitro and even
one pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT). This paper presents the folkloric and scientific review of the
B. aegyptiaca (L.).
Key words: Balanites aegyptiaca Folkloric Medicine Bioactive Compounds Pharmacological Properties
INTRODUCTION desert date (common name) and lalobe (Arabic name), is
Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. is in the family of glabrous (Figure 2), after ripening [4]. It contains four
Balanitaceea.The word Balanites is derived from the layers [20]. The outer skin called epicarp (Figure 3), the
Greek word acorn, which means fruit by Alire Delile in fleshy pulp called mesocarp (Figure 4), the woody shell
1813, who substitute Agihalid name rooted from the called endocarp (Figure 5) and the inner seed called kernel
Arabic word heglig [1]. The entire genus of Balanites is (Figure 6). All of the four layers can be utilized for
consist of nine species and eleven intra-specific taxa [2]. different industrial and pharmaceutical products [21]. The
It is a true arid and semi arid multibranched, evergreen seed contains high amounts of oil [22-24]. The oil is
spiny tree species (Figure 1) with a wide range of consumed in human food [25, 26], or can be converted
geographical distribution [3]. It is found in the Sudan- into biodiesel [27, 28]. Also, the oil can used for medicinal
Sahel region of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and South purposes [22]. The cake remains after oil extraction is a
Asia [4-6]. In addition to this wide distribution, it can also good source for animal feed supplement [29]. However,
grow in many soil type, including sand, heavy clay with the most important product obtains from different parts of
different climatic moisture levels [7, 8]. Also, the tree has the tree is the saponins. This compound proved to have
a good adaptive mechanisms to grow and thrive under wide range of industrial and pharmaceutical applications
combined water and salinity stresses [9]. [30, 31]. In other words, different parts of the plant were
Balanites is known to be multiple uses and multiple reported to have medicinal properties in many
users arid land tree with a wide range of products and ethnobotanical studies as antihelmenthic, a purgative,
values such as food, fodder, shade, oil and traditional leukoderma and emetic [27, 32]. It was also used as
medicine [10-13] and potential shelterbelts and anticancer, antivirus as well as antimicrobial [33, 34],
agroforestry species [14, 15]. However, the most important and act as a good antidiabetic and antioxidant agents
part of the tree is its fruits [16-19]. The fruit is known as [35, 36].
a drupe, pubescent when green, becoming yellowish and

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Fig. 1: B.aegyptiaca Fig. 2: Fruit Fig. 3: Epicarp
Fig. 4: Mesocarp Fig. 5: Endocarp Fig. 6: Kernel
Botanical History: Balanites aegyptica (L.) Delile (the Taxonomic Classification: The taxonomic classification of
desert date or Heglig tree) was first named as Agihalid B.aegyptiaca ( L. ) Del was reported by National Plant
after the Arabic name‘Heglig’in 1592 by Prosper Alpinio Data Center [42], as seen below:
[37]. In 1753 Linnaeus described it as Ximenia
aegyptiaca, while in 1813 Delile replaced Agihalid name
by Balanites which was originally a Greek word acorn,
meaning the fruit [37,38]. The placement of the genus
Balanites was debatable a long its history. It was
originally placed in Zygophyllaceae then shifted to
Olacaceae,Simaroubaceae and finally Balanitaceae.
Boesewinkel [39], supported the recognition of a separate
family Balanitaceae based on its unique ovule and seed
characters. The molecular work on floral anatomy,
embryology, taxonomy and pollen morphology supported
the retention of the genus under Zygophyllaceae [40, 41].
However, according to very thorough and extensive
review it was recognized as independent separate family
of Balanitaecae [2, 37]. This revision concluded that the
whole genus Balanites has nine species and eleven
intraspecific taxa (1-Balanites wilsoniana (var.
wilsoniana, var. mayumbensisandf var. glabripetata);
2-Balanites maughamii (subsp. Maughamii and subsp.
Acuta); 3- Balanitestriflora; 4- Balanitesroxburghii;
5- Balanitesaegyptiaca (var. aegyptiaca, var.
ferox, var. pallida, var. quarrrei and var. tomentosa);
6- Balanitespedicellaris (subsp.. pedicellaris and subsp.
Somalensis);7- Balanitesangolensis, (subsp. Angolensis
and subsp. Welwitschii);8-Balanitesrotundifolia,(var.
rotundifolia,var. scillia and var. setulifera);9-
Balanitesglabra)
Taxonomic classification:
Kingdom Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass Rosidae
Order Sapindales
Family Balanitaceea – Creosote-bush family
Genus Balanites Delile – balanites
Species Balanites aegyptiacus (L.) Delile – desert date
Synonyms: Ximenia aegyptiaca L. (excl. Balanites roxburghii Planch),
Agialida senegalensis van Tiegh., Agialida barteri van Tiegh., Agialida
tombuctensis van Tiegh., Balanites ziziphoides Milbr. Et Schlechter,
Balanites latifolia (van Tiegh.) Chiov [32].
Vernacular Names: Arabic (zachun, zaccone, heglig
(tree)), Lozi (mwalabwe); Luganda (musongole); Amharic
(kudkuda, jemo, bedeno), Jericho balsam,lalob tree, heglig,
Egyptian myrobalan, desert date, torch wood); French
(dattier sauvage, dattier du desert, myrobalau d' Egypte);
Hindi (engua, ingudi, betu, hingan, hingn, hingot, hongot,
hingota); Bemba (katikayengele, mubambwangoma)
Bengali (hin); English (soap berry tree, simple-thorned
torchwood, simple thorned torch tree, heglig berries (in
the sudan), Mandinka (sumpo); Nyanja (nkuyu); Sanskrit
(ingudi); Swahili (mjunju, mwambangoma); Tamil
(nanjunda); Tigrigna (indrur, mekie); Tongan

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(mulyanzovu, mwalabwe); zacon, kuge, lalob (fruit)); Distribution and Habitat
Trade name (desert date (dried fruit, egyptian myrobalan) Ecology: Balanites aegyptiaca ( L. ) Del has extensive
[1]. ecological distribution; nevertheless, it reaches its
Botanical Features: Balanites aegyptiaca (L. ) Del is a with profound sandy loam and continuous access to
tree with multiple branches, spiny shrub having height of water like valley floors, river banks or the foot of rocky
10m. Crown rounded, dense (but still seen through) with slopes. It is intolerant to shade after the seedling stage
lengthy stout branchlets. Bark grey and trunk, intensely and therefore prefers open wood land or savannah for
fissured longitudinally [1, 7]. natural revival [43-45].
Leaves and Seeds: The plant has compound leaves with with a enormous geographical distribution. In Africa, its
spiral arrangement on its shoots, murky green with two region extends west to east, in the Sahelian band from the
firm coriaceous leaflets; having different shapes and Atlantic Ocean (Senegal, Mauritania) as far as Eritrea.
dimensions. Petiolecanaliculate, five mm to twenty mm This distribution extends across the Sahara, to Algeria
with a short rachis. It usually specifies a greatest length where its periphery is situated at 27 N; then in East
of eight mm for the plant in Uganda. Margin of every Africa in the strip going from Egypt and Libya, as far as
leafletentire; lamina commonly up to six cm long, four cm Zimbabwe (19 S), while in the Middle East from South to
broad, although actually lesser (1-3 x 0.3-1.5 cm) as in the North as far as latitude 35 25’ N, in the Arabian
Sahara and Palestine. The seed is pyrene, one and half to Peninsula, Burma, India and Pakistan, along the Arabian
three cm long, radiance brown, tough and extremely rigid. Gulf [43-45].
It makes up fifty to sixty percent of the fruit. About five
hundread to one thousand five hundread dry clean seeds Biophysical Limits: Orwa et al. [1] reported the following
per kg [7]. biophysical limits of B. aegyptiaca (L. ) Del:
Flowers and Fruits: Inflorescence is a dumpy Altitude: 0-2000 m, mean yearly temperature: twenty to
pedunculate fascicle of a few flowers. The flower buds are thirty degree, mean yearly rainfall: 250-1200 mm.
ovoid and covered with a short tomentose pubescence. A
flowers hermaphroditic, pentamerous an actinomorphic, is Type of Soil: It ranges from coarse sands, grimy clay
8-14 mm in diameter and generally greenish-yellow. loams, sandy loams or clays.
Pedicels heavily greyish, pubescent and rarely reaching10
mm in length, although 15 mm is reported for Zambia and Documented Species Distribution
Zimbabwe.The normal length is about 8 mm. Fruit Native: Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Kenya, Libyan Arab
ellipsoid, up to 4 cm long, green. Ripe fruit brown or pale Jamahiriya, Morocco, Myanmar, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire,
brown with a delicate coat enclosing a brown or brown- Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Burkina Faso,
green muggy pulp and a hardstone seed [7]. Nigeria, Burundi, Cameroon Sudan Saudi Arabia, Senegal,
Flowering and Fruiting Habit: The flowering behavior India, Israel, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Republic of
differs, indeed, there is no specific time for its flowering in Zambia, Zimbabwe [1].
the Sahel region, where as it normally happens in the dry
season. Consequently, flowering season in Nigeria ranges Exotic: Cape Verde, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico[1].
from November to April and fruits are ripen during
December and January and seldom from March to July. Ethnomedicinal and Folklore Reports: Although, there is
somewhere else, foliage and fruit production occur at the massive advancement in the field of synthetic drugs,
peak period of the dry season [7]. plants still hold their special importance, considering the
Pollination apparently takes place when the insects fact that they have no side effects. Different components
scents its flowers. It starts fruiting from 5-7 years, with an of B. aegyptiaca (L.) Del possess an enormous
rising yields for about two decades.These fruits actually convetional medicinal properties. On the other hand the
take at least a year to get matured and consequently ripen. therapeutic properties of the plant such as antihelminthic,
Mammals and birds eat the fleshy and safe fruit, throwing febrifuge, vermifuge, emetic, a purgative have been
away, reiterating, i.e discarding the seeds [7]. reported,it cures different types of diseases that include
maximum growth as an entity, low-lying, level alluvial sites
Also, B. aegyptiaca (L. ) Del is an Afro Asiatic tree
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Algeria, Angola, Ghana, Guinea,

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malaria, colds, skin boils, leukoderma, syphilis, liver and glucopyranosyl)-3- -[4-O-( -d-glucopyranosyl)-2-O-( -l-
spleen disorder, wound healing and pains [46]. The bark r hamnopyr a n o syl)- -d-glucopyranosyloxy]-22,26
of the plant is helpful in curing epilepsy, yellow fever, dihydroxyfurost-5-ene [57]. Nine saponins were
jaundice, mental diseases and syphilis and can at the isolated from kernel cake of B. aegyptiaca and out of
same time act as a fumigant for healing circumcision them, six were with molecular masses of 1196, 1064, 1210,
injuries [46]. The poach root of the plant are employed as 1224, 1078 and 1046Da were identifed, with the compound
a potage against stomach pain, anthrax and its concoction of mass 1210 Da being the main saponin present (ca. 36%)
serves as an antidote to snake bite [34]. The mixture of [23].
root bark has been documented to exterminate diarrhea, in
hemorrhoid, as well as a fish poison [33]. The paste of Flower: According to Umar et.al [58], the nutrient and
shoot is utilized for dressing of wounds and as tooth antinutritional content of B. aegyptiaca (L. ) Del flower
fluoresher. The thorns are employed as medicaments for composition found were ; ash (6.67±0.29%), moisture
healing leprosy. The leaf is employed in curing anthrax, (43.3±2.89%); crude protein (10.8±0.49%) crude lipid
due to their antihelminthic properties and as well as (4.5±0.50%), crude fibre (3.8±0.29%), available
flushing away malignant wounds [46]. The fruit cures oral carbohydrate (74.2±0.49%) and calorific value
ulcer, whooping cough, sleeping sickness and skin (380.5kcal/100g), Na (42.1mg/100g), K (81.8mg/100g), P
infections. Fruit kernel has been found as a mild laxative, (5.91mg/100g),Ca (49.8mg/100g), Mg (19.36mg/100g), Mn
an antidote for avoiding poisons and as a vermifuge [34]. (0.35mg/100g), Fe (31.46mg/100g), Cu (0.42mg/100g), Zn
The seeds are helpful in making cream for curing cough, (3.69mg/100g), Cd (0.19mg/100g), Co (0.33mg/100g), Cr
colic pain and at same time exhibit magicoreligious (0.35mg/100g) and Ni (6.33mg/100g).
properties [33, 34]. Due to its high percentage of carbohydrates content
Phytochemical Constituents an excellent source of energy and consequently contains
Leaves: The Egyptian species of the plant contains six adequate essential nutrients which include protein, lipid,
flavonoids which are quercetin 3-rutinoside, 3-glucosides, mineral elements and amino acids.
3-rutinoside, quercetin3-glucosides, 3-7 diglucoside and
3-rhamnogalactosides of isorhamnetin, which were Root: The specimen of the the East African roots
isolated from the leaves and branches [47]. Also, the revealed a Balanitin 1, 2 and 3, alkaloids and diosgenin
leaves, contain six diosgenin glucosides including di-, tri- [59-61]. Furthermore, it contains steroidal saponin1%
and tetraglucosides. Hydrolysis of the saponins gave glycosides with the major sapogenin is yamogenin
25D-spirosta-3, 5-diene and 3 -chloro-25D-spirost-5- [62, 63]. Other forms of glycosides are; (3 ,12 , 14 , 16 )-
ene[56-59] balanitin-1, -2 and -3[48-50]. 12 - h y d rox y c h ol est - 5 - en e- 3 , 1 6- di y l bi s ( -
Fruit: Mesocarp contains about 7.2% saponin, while 6.7% 25S)-26-( -D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-methoxyfurost-5-en-
is found in the Kernel [51]. Balanitin A, B, C, D, E have 3-yl -D-xylopyranosyl-(1>3)- -D-glucopyranosyl-(1>4)[ -
been isolated from pulp while kernel contains only L r h a m n o p y r a n o s y l - ( 1 > 2 ) ] - -D-
Balanitin F and G [52].. The oil extracted from the kernel glucopyranoside;(3 ,20S,22R,25R) and (3 ,20S,22R,25S)-
composed mainly of triglycerides constituting 44–51% spirost-5-en-3-yl -D-xylopyranosyl-(1>3)- -D-
w/w, with little amount of diglycerides, phytosterols, glucopyranosyl-(1>4)[ -L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1>2)]- -D-
sterol esters and tocopherols [53]. Additionally, a famous glucopyranoside [64]. Balanitins 1 to 7 have also been
spirostanol glycoside, balanitin-3 and sapogenol, 6- reported from both root and bark of B.aegyptiaca (L.) Del
methyldiosgenin, furostanol saponin, balanitoside and [61, 65].
two pregnaneglycosides have been separated from the
fruits (mesocarp) of B. aegyptiaca (L. ) Del [54-56]. Stem Bark: The stem bark of the Indian species,
Chemical analysis proposed the chemical structure of the Balanites.Roxburghii contains balanitol and the
glycoside as 26-O- -dglucopyranosy l-3- saponins, deltoninand protodeltonin [66].
,22,26trihydroxy-furost-ene, 3-O- -lrhamnopyranosyl- Furanocoumarin, bergapten and a dihydrofuranocoumarin
(1>2)- -d-glucopyranosyl-(1>4)- dglucopyranoside and (marmesin) have been isolated from the chloroform extract
the saponins present in the mesocarp of B. aegyptiaca of the stem bark [67]. Balanitin 1, 2 and 3 have been
fruit are a mixture of 22R and 22S epimers of 26-(O- -d- isolated from East African species of B. aegyptiaca while
and calorific value as seen above, it is actually serves as
Dglucopyranoside), (3 , 20S, 22R, 25R)-, (3 , 20S, 22R,

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diosgenin and sugars (glucose and rhamnose in the A prominent hyopoglycemic activity was reported
ratio 3:1) have been isolated from the Indian species from the water extract of mesocarps in the fruits of B.
Balanites roxburghii [66]. Dicholoromethane extract aegyptiaca (L.) Del on oral administration in
has yielded two different kind geometric isomers of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. It is believed that
alkaloid N-trans-feruloyltyramine and N-cis- the antidiabetic activity was due to the presence of
feruloyltyramine respectively and other metaboliteslike steroidal saponins in the extracts [77]. Additionally,
vanillic acid, syringic acid and 3 hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3 homogeneous extracts of fruits using cell-based
methoxyphenyl)-1-propanone [69]. bioassays showed augmented basal glucose uptake by
Seeds: Four new cytostatic saponins have been extracted sugar particles [78]. Whereas, the dichloromethane and
from the seeds of B. aegyptiaca (L.) Del, namely, ethyl acetate extracts showed 37 and 41% increase in the
balanitins 4, 5, 6 and 7 [65]. Also, they contain deltonin glucose uptake, respectively [78]. Another possible
and isodeltonin which both are used as molluscicidal explanation of the hypoglycemic effect may be due to
agents [70]. trigonelline which was isolated from B. aegyptiaca ( L. )
Pharmacological Activities A more recent study was able to isolate the
Antidiabetic Activity: Different extracts of B. aegyptiaca subfraction-D from butanol fraction which exhibited the
(L.) Del show antidiabetic and hypoglycemic effects as highest inhibitory activity of aldose reductase enzyme
rported by many studies done to prove and understand (IC50 = 12.8±1 µg/ml) in B. aegyptiaca (L.) Del extract [80].
the possible mechanisms involved. The water extract of In the same context, a biologically active compound was
the mesocarp of fruits of B. aegyptiaca (L.) Del was isolated from the methanol extract (MeEx); 26-(O-b-D-
studied to possess lowering suger level effect in STZ- glucopyranosyl)-22-O-methylfurost-5-ene-3b,26-diol-3-O-
induced diabetic mice [71]. Similarly, ethyl acetate extract b-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 4)-[a-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1
(EAE) from B.aegyptiaca (L.) Del has a defensive effect 2)]-b-D-glucopyranoside [81]. It showed a significant -
against oxidative stress induced by streptozocine with glucosidase and aldose reductase inhibitory effects
reduction in blood glucose levels, HbA1c, (IC50¼ 3.12 ± 0.17 and 1.04 ± 0.02 lg/mL, respectively)
malondialdehyde and vascular endothelial growth factor [81].
(VEGF) in diabetic retina [36]. The only randomized double-blinded (pilot) clinical
In same context, the bark extract has shown a study conducted till the present aimed to investigate the
reasonable effect on the activity of -amylase that is antidiabetic efficacy of the 70% ethanol extract of the
accountable for the decomposition of oligosaccharides pericarps of B.aegyptiaca ( L. ) Del with a nutritional
[72].Also, the fruit extracts (1.5 g/kg bw) decreased the intervention in elderly people [82]. It showed a reduction
level of the blood glucose by 24% with decreasing liver in both post prandial plasma glucose and fasting plasma
glucose-6-phosphatase activity extensively in diabetic glucose by 26.88% and 10.3%, respectively. This is a clear
infected rats. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of B. evidence of the antidiabetic effect on humans.
aegyptiaca (L.) Del fruit induce significant reduction in In the same context, Artemisia sieversiana, medical
every component of diabetes which include serum herb widely distributed in China, has shown a similar anti-
glucose, glucagon, total lipids, total cholesterol, diabetic effects [83]. It exhibited a significant acute and
triglycerides level and transaminases [aspartate sustained hypoglycemic effects with decreasing plasma
aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) lipid profiles induced by an insulin-like effect on glucose
and ãGT (gamma aminotransferase)] activities [73, 74]. transport [84, 85]. Similarly, Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal
In comparing to similar effects in other plants, the (Solanaceae), also known as ashwagandha, showed
roots of Panax ginseng or traditionally known as hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities with restoring
Korean ginseng have a great value in folk medicine all parameters of diabeti rats into normal euglycemic state
especially within East Asian countries, such as Japan, [86].
Korea and China for about 2000 years [75]. The roots of
Panax ginseng has been shown to improve insulin Anti-microbial Activity: The anti-microbial activity of
sensitivity and glucose homeostasis with reduction of different parts of B.aegyptiaca (L.) Del has been proven
blood glucose simulating the effect of an insulin sensitizer by many studies [87-89]. The leaf extracts done in water
[75, 76]. and organic solvents (acetone and ethanol) showed
52%; which is twice the activity of 100 nM insulin with
Del fruit [79].

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antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi. In paniculata (Burm.f) showed anti-microbial activity that
comparison of ethanolic extracts to water, the former effect various bacteria and fungi [94].
exhibited very high antibacterial activity (16 mm zone
of inhibition) than the later (4 mm zone of inhibition) at Anti-cancer Activity: Saponin extracted from B.
100 mg/ml. The preliminary phytochemical analysis aegyptiaca (L.) Del fruit showed anti-tumor activity.
revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, phenols and According to two studies –conducted in mice-, it reduced
anthraquinones which may explain the antibacterial the number of ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in both
activity [87]. therapeutic group and preventive groups with an increase
In the same perspective, flavonoid extracts of callus in life span compared to controls [95, 96].
tissue showed antimicrobial activity against; Escherichia In the same context, it showed anti-proliferative and
coli,Proteus vulgaris,Pseudomonas aureginosa, cytotoxic activity using various extracts as ethylacetae
Citrobacter amalonaticus,Staphylococcus aureus, extract, ethanol extract and chloroform with ethylacetae
Micrococcus lylae,Bacillus subtilis and Sporolacto extract being the most effective among them [97].
bacillus with higher activity against gram +ve bacteria Moreover, it also has anti-proliferative activity against
[88]. Active principles isolated were discovered as human foreskin fibroblast (HFF), MCF-7 human breast
flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol. Consequently, it can cancer cells and HT-29 human colon cancer cells with in
be concluded that antimicrobial activity of tissue culture vitro inhibition rates up to 82% [98]. Also, it showed anti-
extracts of B.aegyptiaca ( L. ) Del may be due to the proliferative activity in opposition to both HepG2 and
presence of these flavonoids in sufficient amount [88]. Caco2 cells with more prominent effect on HepG2 cells
In comparstion to similar effects in other plants,[99].
Saussure laniceps (Compositae), commonly known as Interestingly, when a mixture of balanitin-6 and -7
“cotton-headed snow lotus” have a great value in folk were used in mice bearing murine L1210 leukemia grafts,
medicine especially within East Tibetan and Chinese it increased their survival time and with a significant anti-
people [90]. Its extracts showed inhibitory effects against cancer activity [30]. Furthermore, methanol extract of B.
26 types of bacteria as well as pants' pathogenic fungi aegyptiaca (L.) Del stem bark acted as anti-tumor agent in
which mostly attributed to interactions with cell membrane mice injected with HCT-116 cells with significant
[90]. reduction in cancer cell growth [100].
Additionally, the hydroethanolic extracts of the bark
of B. aegyptiaca inhibited in vitro the growth of multi- Anti-oxidant Activity: The studies of different parts of
drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and B. aegyptiaca ( L. ) Del extracts has been reported to have
Staphylococcus aureus in a dose-dependent manner [91]. an anti-oxidant effects [101]. In addition, a raise in
Stem-barks of B. aegyptiaca (L.) Del contains antioxidant enzymes as superoxide dismutase and catalase
furanocoumarin-bergapten that showed anti-inflammatory, in mice treated with these extracts was an evident in
antioxidant and antimicrobial activities [7]. As comparison to control group [96].
furanocoumarins have a lactone structure, they have a Another study testified that methanol extract of B.
wide range of biological activity which may count for this aegyptiaca (L.) Del revealed the highest anti-oxidant
antimicrobial activity. A corresponding inhibitory activity activities while hexane and water extracts were with
of both methanolic and water extracts of whole plant unimportant activity. Also, it revealed a strong positive
extract on Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus relation between total flavonoid and total phenolic
epidermidis has been documented by Parekh and Chanda contents and ferric reducing anti-oxidant power although
[89].Similarly, the crude extract of B.aegyptiaca (L.) Del a negative relation was found between both against Di
showed a significant reduction in bacterial growth in (pheny)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) iminoazanium (DPPH) and
untreated well water [91, 92]. Phytochemical analysis 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid
disclose the occurrence of saponins, coumarins, (ABTS ) [100].
triterpenes, steroids and tannins which might be Moreover, it helps in scavenenging free radicals in
responsible for this activity [91]. diabetic patients and provide anti-oxidant protection as a
In the same context, the genus Garcin (family result of increasing endogenous production of anti-
Clusiaceae) is a medical herb widely distributed in India, oxidant agents [35]. Phenolic and flavonoid contents of
has shown a similar anti-microbial effects [93]. It exhibited B. aegyptiaca (L.) Del were found to be responsible for
a similar effect to clarithromycin. Similarly andrographis their anti-oxidant effect; both have redox properties that

Global J. Pharmacol., 12 (1): 01-12, 2018
7
allow them to act as hydrogen donors, single oxygen ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
quenchers and reducing agents [100]. It also prevents
lipid oxidation in food thus inhibiting many diseases as
cancer and atherosclerosis [102]. According to some
reports, the anti-oxidant activity of desert date extract
is dose dependent with safety dose up to 1000 mg/kg
[95, 103].
Anti-viral Activity: Extract of B. aegyptiaca (L.) Del bark
aqueous is used to treat both acquired immune deficiency
syndrome (AIDS ) and leukemia. When this extract was
orally administrated for a month to AIDS patients, it
showed good results. The same was done with leukemia
patients, an increase in the stem bark extract was tested
against Herpes Simplex Virus, Coxsackie B2, Semliki forest
A7 and Vesicular stomatitis Virus, it gave negative
results with no activity on them as reported by Maregesi
et al. [104].
Anti-inflammatory Activity: It has been reported that
both methanol and butanol extracts of desert dates have
a significant anti-inflammatory effect on the rat paw edema
with respect to controls. Furthermore, methanol extract
had no dose-response relation, as both the lowest (200
mg/kg) and the highest (400 mg/kg) doses showed the
same effect on edema reduction. Although, butanol
extract showed a significant dose-response relation [105].
A study conducted on rats indicated that petroleum
and ethanolic extracts of aerial parts of desert dates have
a significant effect on carrageenan-induced hind paw
edema in comparison to the effect of the standard drugs
as control group, indomethacin and diclofenac sodium,
respectively. The same study reported that ethanol extract
had more significant effect on treating inflammatory
related pains [106].
CONCLUSION
Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del has been used in
folkloric remedy for a extensive period of time with several
and diverse uses [107-111]. Recently, numerous studies
reported that B. aegyptiaca (L.) Del has proved these
actions and activities as antidiabetic, antimicrobial,
antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral and anti-Inflammatory
activity as clearly mentioned [81, 83].
It is apparent that future studies are needed to
explore B. aegyptiaca (L.) Del utilization along with
pharmacological activites and possibility to cure and treat
different diseases both safely and effectively with better
understanding of the exact mechanisms of actions.
Thanks are due to Dr. A. EL Feel, Department of Arid
land Agriculture, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment
and Arid land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, for
his helpful discussions.
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