Histological and immunohistochemically study of liver in animals supplemented with food supplements

Abstract

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a vital agricultural crop extensively cultivated in the Middle East and North Africa. It holds significant nutritional, economic, and cultural importance in these regions (Al-Farsi & Lee, 2008). Traditionally valued for its sweet fruit, the date palm also produces date seeds, a by-product often discarded or used as animal feed, which has recently attracted scientific interest for its health-promoting properties (Al-Kaabi et al., 2013). Date seeds are rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, dietary fiber, and essential fatty acids, which impart potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects (Al-Farsi et al., 2016). Numerous studies have highlighted the potential of date seed extracts as natural agents for preventing or alleviating liver damage caused by oxidative stress and metabolic disorders such as diabetes (Shakoor et al., 2020; Abdelaziz et al., 2015). Given the liver’s central role in metabolism, detoxification, and homeostasis, protecting hepatic function is critical for overall health (Hall, 2016). The liver is especially vulnerable to injury from toxins, metabolic imbalances, and inflammation. Damage to liver cells can impair essential physiological processes, contributing to chronic liver diseases (Hall, 2016). Natural dietary supplements derived from plant sources like date seeds are promising candidates for hepatoprotection due to their bioactive compounds and low toxicity profiles (Brown et al., 2020). However, the formulation of effective and safe date seed-based dietary supplements requires rigorous scientific evaluation, particularly regarding their effects on liver structure and function.