Borassus aethiopum in Immunometabolic Pharmacology: Linking Phytochemistry, Oxidative Stress and Cytokine Signalling

Borassus aethiopum, a widely used West African palm, is a staple food source and a traditional medicinal plant with emerging relevance to immunometabolic pharmacology. This narrative review integrates ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological evidence, with particular emphasis on oxidative stress, cytokine signalling and low-grade inflammation. Available non-clinical and limited human data indicate that preparations derived from inflorescences, fruit pulp and kernels may exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cardiometabolic effects, although the evidence base remains heterogeneous. Major constituents, including polyphenols, terpenoids, sterols, saponins and lipid fractions, are discussed in relation to redox-sensitive and inflammation-related pathways, particularly nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), as well as cytokine networks implicated in metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. In rodent models, B. aethiopum preparations have been associated with reductions in oedema, nociception, pyrexia, hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia, often alongside lower C-Reactive protein and oxidative stress markers. Preliminary human studies using B. aethiopum-enriched bread in individuals at cardiometabolic risk have reported improvements in blood pressure (BP) and lipid profile, suggesting a possible effect on low-grade inflammatory status. Overall, the available evidence supports a multi-target framework in which B. aethiopum may influence cytokine-related and redox-regulated processes, while highlighting substantial limitations, including variable extraction methods, incomplete phytochemical characterisation, sparse cytokine measurements and small clinical samples. Future work should prioritise standardised chemo-fingerprinting, multiplex cytokine profiling, metabolomic integration and pragmatic dietary or extract-based interventions in at-risk populations. B. aethiopum may therefore serve as a useful model for a structured pharmacological evaluation of plant-derived foods within an immunometabolic context.