The Anti-Cancer Arsenal of the Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.): A Review of Bioactive Pathways Across Various Organs

Document Type : Review Paper

Authors

Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran

Abstract

The utilization of natural plant compounds for medicinal applications plays a crucial role in cancer treatment. Cancer arises through various mechanisms, and the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is notable for its rich array of anticancer compounds found in different organs. This review evaluates the anticancer mechanisms of various organs of the date palm, emphasizing the contribution of their shared and unique compounds. This study, was extracted and reviewed all scientific books and articles related to the anticancer properties of date palm seeds, roots, hearts, leaves, inflorescences (spathe, flowers, and pollen), and fruits from online databases using specialized keywords from 1980 to 2025. The date palm minerals and bioactive compounds may not only aid in cancer prevention but also slow its progression, enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents, and improve overall treatment outcomes. The bioactive components derived from the date palm exhibit significant abilities to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. Although previous research has largely studied the fruit, there is a growing need to study the bioactive compounds of other organs. Findings confirm that underrepresented organs offer potent anticancer bioactivities. Concentrating on optimizing these potent compounds, particularly from less-studied parts, may yield promising results. Future investigations should focus on isolating compounds from various date palm organs, which exhibit varied phytochemical profiles across cultivars. This approach may aid in harnessing the therapeutic potential of the date palm against cancer.

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