Phytochemical Analysis and Anti-inflammatory Potential of Hyphaene thebaica L. Fruit

Metabolite profiling and biological activity are reported from organic and aqueous extracts of the fruit from the desert palm Hyphaene thebaica. Phenolics and oxylipids profiles were determined using UPLC-PDA-TOF (ultra performance-photodiode array-time of flight) high-resolution mass spectrometry in order to obtain the molecular formula and exact mass. Under optimized conditions, 17 compounds were simultaneously identified and quantified including 2 cinnamic acid derivatives, 5 flavonoids, 6 fatty acids, 2 sphingolipids, a lignan, and a stilbene. Sugars composition in the fruit was characterized and quantified by H-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) with sucrose detected as the major component in fruit at a level of 219 mg/g. Fruit organic extracts anti-inflammatory potential was assessed in vitro by cyclooxygenase-1 enzyme inhibition.