In vitro bioactivities and molecular docking analysis of methanolic extract from Phoenix dactylifera L. (cv. Ghars) seeds

Date palm seeds are an underutilized agro-industrial by-product with potential bioactive value. In this study, the methanolic extract (ME) of Phoenix dactylifera L. (cv. Ghars) seeds was evaluated for its phytochemical composition and selected in vitro biological activities, supported by molecular docking analysis. Total phenolic, flavonoid, and condensed tannin contents were determined, and major phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, antidiabetic activity was evaluated by yeast glucose uptake and α-amylase inhibition assays, antimicrobial activity was screened using agar diffusion, and antibiofilm activity was examined using a crystal violet microtiter plate method. The extract showed moderate antioxidant activity, with an IC50 value of 323.21 µg/mL in the FRAP assay, compared with 4.57 µg/mL for ascorbic acid. α-Amylase inhibition was observed in vitro with an IC50 of 0.23 µg /mL, whereas yeast glucose uptake was only slightly enhanced (16.29% at 20 µg/mL). Antimicrobial screening revealed inhibition zones up to 16 mm against Escherichia coli at 120 µg/mL. Antibiofilm assays demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition, reaching 90% for Staphylococcus aureus and 77–83% for other tested strains at 1,2 µg/mL. HPLC analysis identified caffeic acid (34.92 µg/mg), rutin (1.58 µg/mg), and catechin (1.04 µg/mg) as major constituents. Molecular docking suggested that rutin and catechin may interact favorably with selected biological targets; however, these results remain predictive. Overall, the findings indicate measurable but moderate in vitro bioactivities, supporting further investigation using standardized assays and in vivo models.