Phytochemical profiling, antioxidant activity, and in vivo wound-healing evaluation of Jordanian Phoenix dactylifera L. seed extracts

Phoenix dactylifera L. seeds are a phytochemical-rich by-product with potential wound-healing value. This study compared conventional soaking and microwave-assisted extraction using solvents of different polarities, followed by assessment of extraction yield, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity, LC–MS profiling, and topical efficacy in a rat incision model. Microwave-assisted extraction increased extraction yield, whereas its effects on phenolic and flavonoid contents depended on the solvent. The microwave-assisted ethyl acetate extract showed the highest total phenolic content, whereas aqueous extracts showed high flavonoid content and antioxidant activity. Thirteen major metabolites, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoid glycosides, coumarins, triterpenoids, and organic acids, were tentatively annotated by LC–MS. Topical gels with aqueous extracts enhanced incision breaking strength compared to vehicle controls, with the 5% formulation showing results akin to the reference treatment. This suggests that these seeds could be a promising source for wound-healing formulations, although further compound-level validation and mechanistic research are needed.