Arecales

Arecales is the order of flowering plants that includes all palm species, which are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions and are ecologically dominant in many coastal and rainforest ecosystems. Palms produce a variety of bioactive compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, fatty acids, and unique sterol derivatives that contribute to their resilience and medicinal potential. In biomedical research, Arecales-derived extracts have been studied for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities, with coconut, date palm, and oil palm being particularly significant sources of functional compounds. The structural diversity of metabolites in palms supports investigations into metabolic adaptation in extreme environments, such as saline or nutrient-poor soils. Additionally, palm-derived natural products are increasingly used in nutraceutical and functional food development, bridging the gap between nutrition and pharmacology. Arecales thus represents a highly valuable botanical order for both applied biomedical science and sustainable bioresource utilization.