UNAIR NEWS – Human body is very vulnerable to external exposure to antigens from viruses, bacteria, and fungi (infectious diseases), as well as from abnormal growths such as tumours and degenerative cells. According to UNAIR Faculty of Nursing Lecturer Ferry Efendi S.Kep.Ns., M.Si., PhD., Degenerative diseases and exposure to microorganisms can suppress immunity.
“Diet habits, such as fast food consumption can also trigger a decrease in the immune system,” he explained.
Furthermore, he also explained that some infectious diseases could be prevented by increasing the immune system and reducing exposure to toxic compounds. These efforts, he added, included the use of local immunostimulants.
“Various efforts have been made to improve the response of the immune system. For example, the use of immunostimulant drugs. But this effort is ineffective because many chemical compounds in drugs cause side effects, while many medications also have immunosuppressive effects or suppress endurance, ” he explained.
Therefore, herbal therapy is considered a solution to the problem. Specifically, the use of dates Phoenix type dactylifera L. It contains phenolic compounds and antioxidants that are believed to stimulate the immune system. Chlorogenic acid, pelargonin, and ferulic acid found in dates can significantly reduce the number of immunoglobulin E (IgE) cells in allergic events.
“The consumption of dates in Indonesia is very high; however, these fruits are usually discarded. Dates seeds contain many active compounds in the form of antioxidants, such as phenolics, which can reduce levels of free radicals based on anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory activity, “he explained.
According to Ferry, the date palm diet has been found to improve the performance and response and antioxidant status of the immune system in broilers. However, the use of date palm seeds to improve one’s health status needs to be further investigated.
“Research results indicate the potential use of date palm seeds as an anti-inflammatory compound. “This research will also help researchers to explain the mechanism of action behind the anti-inflammatory effects of date palm seeds,” he concluded.
Author: Nuri Hermawan
Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia
Reference:
http://www.herbmedpharmacol.com/Article/jhp-4316
Saryono, S., Taufik, A., Proverawati, A. and Efendi, F., 2019. Dietary supplementation of Phoenix dactylifera L. seeds decreases pro-inflammatory mediators in CCl4-induced rats. Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology, 8(3).
