Borassus flabellifer L., belonging to the Arecaceae family, is less explored for its nutritional and biological properties. The plant parts such as the tender kernel, tender water, Borassus flabellifer sap, and haustorium are consumed by various communities in India. The present study first time analyzed the cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of Borassus flabellifer haustorium extract (BHE). The protective effect of BHE was estimated in the normal intestinal epithelial cell (IEC-6) against the pro-oxidant insults induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Further, the change in redox status was estimated in terms of antioxidant enzyme activities or the oxidative stress markers. The anti-inflammatory potential of BHE was analyzed in macrophage cells (Raw 264.7) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). BHE had a total polyphenols and flavonoids content of 37.92 ± 4.03 mg GAE and 7.02 ± 0.61 mg QE. The pretreatment with BHE has significantly reduced the cytotoxic effect of H2O2 and MDA (p < 0.01) in IEC-6 cells; restoration of cellular glutathione levels and catalase activity (p < 0.05), with a concomitant reduction in the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and conjugated dienes (p < 0.05) maybe the plausible mode of action. Further, H2O2 and MDA induced expression of apoptotic genes caspase 3/7 and apaf-1 was significantly reduced by BHE pretreatment (p < 0.05). Similarly, BHE dose-dependently reduced the LPS (1 µg/mL) induced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in Raw 264.7 cells. The study concludes that Borassus flabellifer haustorium can be an efficient antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functional food.
Keywords: Borassus flabellifer L.; anti-inflammatory activity; antioxidant; cytoprotective effect; polyphenol content.