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The Peelu (Salvadora oleoides Decne.) fruit is well known for its nutritional and medicinal values. The current study analyzed the chemical composition of Salvadora oleoides fruit. Fresh Peelu fruits were harvested, and physicochemical properties, proximate composition, macro- and micronutrients, and phytochemical properties were determined. Moreover, ethanol and methanol fruit extract was analyzed for physicochemical properties. The Peelu fruit seemed to be a potential source of essential macro- ((nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg)) and micronutrients (zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu)). The fruit had significant biochemical properties (total soluble solids (TSS), total acidity (TA), and TSS : TA ratio) with appreciable moisture, crude fiber, and ash contents. The fruit extracts demonstrated significantly higher antioxidants and phenolics, ascorbic acid contents, and carotenoids. Phytochemical screening of fruit revealed the presence of coumarins, flavonoids, phlobatannins, tannins, and terpenoids. Physicochemical and sensory evaluation of extracts indicated its potential for further in vivo study trials. The Peelu fruit was found to be a good source of mineral nutrients, proximate contents, vitamins (ascorbic acid and carotenoid), phytochemicals (total phenolic sand antioxidant contents), and pharmaceutically important metabolites that can be used as functional drink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balanites aegyptiaca L. Delile (B. aegyptiaca) is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of memory impairment. This work aims to evaluate the antioxidant and anticholinesterase potential of BA fruit pulp extract on excitotoxicity induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG). MSG was administered 30 minutes after treatment with B. aegyptiaca aqueous fruit pulp extract (50, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) and vitamin C (100 mg/kg) for 30 days. The negative control group received only MSG, while the control group was given distilled water daily. Behavioral tests parameters (using the novel object recognition, Y-maze, and Barnes maze tests), oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and catalase), nitric oxide, and acetylcholinesterase activity and hippocampal architecture were evaluated. Results obtained revealed that different doses of B. aegyptiaca significantly reversed the deleterious effect of MSG on memory. This was displayed by a significant (p < 0.05) increment in the percentage of spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze test and a significant (p < 0.001) increase in discrimination index in novel object recognition observed with 500 mg/kg extract dose. Moreover, the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg doses) significantly (p < 0.001) increased direct search strategy and significantly decreased (p < 0.01) the time taken to find the target hole in the Barnes maze. A modulation of hyperactivity was observed after administration of all extract doses compared to the negative control group in the open arena. Furthermore, the highest dose of the extract caused a significant (p < 0.001) improvement in antioxidant enzymes activity, associated with a significant (p < 0.001) decrement in nitric oxide and malondialdehyde concentrations and a significant (p < 0.01) decrease in acetylcholinesterase activity. Treatment with the extract also restored normal hippocampal cell architecture. B. aegyptiaca fruit pulp extract could thus confer neuroprotection through its antioxidant and anticholinesterase potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]