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Avocado Oil Supplementation Modifies Cardiovascular Risk Profile Markers in a Rat Model of Sucrose-Induced Metabolic Changes
Abstract
Abstract
Metabolic changes, along with cardiovascular and hepatic factors, are associated with the development of diseases such as diabetes, dyslipidemia and obesity. We evaluated the effect of avocado oil supplementation (centrifuged and solvent extracted), compared with olive oil, upon the hepatic function in sucrose-fed rats. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups: control (basal diet), a sucrose-fed group (basal diet plus 30% sucrose solution) and three other groups (S-OO, S-AOC and S-AOS; basal diet plus 30% sucrose solution plus olive oil, avocado oil extracted by centrifugation or using solvent, respectively). Glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, globulin, direct bilirubin, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, cholinesterase, and α-amylase concentrations were determined and avocado oil effect on them studied. In some cases it was unable to overcome the induced metabolic alteration which significantly affected (P < 0.05) levels of total proteins and bilirubin and which also had a highly significant effect (P < 0.01) on α-amylase levels. Avocado oil (centrifuged and solvent extracted) exhibited effects similar to those of olive oil. Avocado oil consumption could be beneficial in the control of altered metabolic profile illnesses as it presents effects on hepatic function biochemical markers similar to olive oil.
... A study done by Carvajal-Zarrabal et al. [214] found out that avocado oil had a significant contribution toward the metabolic syndrome, as it reduced the inflammatory events and exhibited positive results in the biochemical indicators when they administered avocado oil in 25 rats divided into various groups such as a control group, a basic diet group with 30% sucrose, and a basic diet plus olive oil and avocado oil. Extensive biochemical markers were studied, and the presence of avocado oil seemed to have reduced the triglycerides and LDL levels, which reduced the cardiovascular risks [214]. ...
... A study done by Carvajal-Zarrabal et al. [214] found out that avocado oil had a significant contribution toward the metabolic syndrome, as it reduced the inflammatory events and exhibited positive results in the biochemical indicators when they administered avocado oil in 25 rats divided into various groups such as a control group, a basic diet group with 30% sucrose, and a basic diet plus olive oil and avocado oil. Extensive biochemical markers were studied, and the presence of avocado oil seemed to have reduced the triglycerides and LDL levels, which reduced the cardiovascular risks [214]. Cohort studies performed recently on the BMI of individuals after the intake of avocados showed a considerable reduction in weight gain compared to the control, which consecutively lowered various cardiovascular problems associated with obesity [215]. ...
Persea americana, commonly known as avocado, has recently gained substantial popularity and is often marketed as a "superfood" because of its unique nutritional composition, antioxidant content, and biochemical profile. However, the term "superfood" can be vague and misleading, as it is often associated with unrealistic health claims. This review draws a comprehensive summary and assessment of research performed in the last few decades to understand the nutritional and therapeutic properties of avocado and its bioactive compounds. In particular, studies reporting the major metabolites of avocado, their antioxidant as well as bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties, are summarized and assessed. Furthermore, the potential of avocado in novel drug discovery for the prevention and treatment of cancer, microbial, inflammatory, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases is highlighted. This review also proposes several interesting future directions for avocado research.
... El aguacate también es rico en ß-sitoesterol, que es una sustancia de origen vegetal cuya estructura es similar al colesterol y su mecanismo de acción abarca la inhibición intestinal de colesterol y la disminución de la síntesis hepática, teniendo efecto sobre los niveles plasmáticos de colesterol total y c-LDL, sin efecto sobre los niveles de c-HDL y triglicéridos (26). ...
... Carvajal et al (2014) demostraron el efecto del aceite de aguacate en ratas inducidas a hiperlipemia por la ingestión de sacarosa durante 16 semanas, logrando el aumento significativo en las concentraciones séricas de TG, cl-LDL y VLDL; luego le administraron a un grupo aceite de aguacate con sacarosa durante 4 semanas. Observaron que el aceite de aguacate ejerce poco o ningún efecto sobre la glucosa, CT y c-HDL y disminuyeron los niveles de TG, VLDL y c-LDL (26). Sin embargo se demuestra que el modelo de inducción utilizado en nuestro estudio produce alteraciones más drásticas y en menor tiempo; pues las reducciones de las concentraciones de TG, CT, VLDL y col-LDL, son más importantes. ...
Dyslipidemia is a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease, a major cause of deaths worldwide. The aim of this work is to study the effect of avocado (Persea americana), on lipid metabolism on normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic mice induced with high fat diet. Four groups of animals receiving standard diet (DE), standard and avocado diet (DEa), high fat diet (DH) and high fat and avocado diet (DHA) were used. All animals were observed for a period of 28 days. Blood sample was obtained at the end of experimentation period by cardiac puncture on anesthetized animals, and the levels of Cholesterol, triglycerides and col-HDL were determined and c-LDL, VLDL and atherogenic and coronary risk factors were calculated. DH group showed levels of TC, TG, c-LDL and VLDL significantly higher (p<0,001) than the values achieved in DHa group. DHa and DEa plasmatic values of TC, TG, c-LDL and VLDL were significantly reduced (p <0.001) compared to DH group. DEa and DHA groups differed significantly (p <0.005) in the level of CT, the latter has lower values, the other quantified parameters showed no significant differences. There were no significant differences for c-HDL values in any group. Hyperlipidemia induction with a model of high fat diet produced significantly increasing values of TC, TG, c-LDL and VLDL, besides of increasing the atherogenic risk. The benefit of avocado pulp consists in reduction of TC, TG, c-LDL, VLDL and the index of atherogenic risk.
... Antibacterial, antifungal, antiproliferative, anxiolytic, antimalarial, anti-Trypanosoma, anti-obesity, antiosteoporosis, and insecticidal activities [13,[48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56]; relaxant and sedative effect on dental patients [57], reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events [58], and inotropic depression on the atria of guinea pigs [59]; hypocholesterolemia activity [60] Psidium guajava Linn. [78] Anti-inflammatory, diabetic, analgesic, antibacterial, antiproliferative, antimalarial, antiplasmodial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, antinociceptive, neuroprotective, gastroprotective, and antiparasitic activities [79], [74,[80][81][82], [76,[83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91]; protection effect of kolaviron against testicular oxidative damage induced by di-n-butylphthalate in rats [92] Vernonia amygdalina Del. (Asteraceae)/ 31149/SRFK Microbial infections, hiccups, kidney problems and stomach, discomfort, stomach-ache, gastrointestinal infections, malarial fever, cough remedy [93], malaria, purgative, parasitic infections, blood glucose levels control, and eczema [94] Vernodalin, vernomygdin, vernonioside B1 and vernoniol B1 [95]; ricosane; vernolide; isorhamnetin; luteolin [96]; vernonioside V [97]; steroidal vernoniamyoside A-D; vernoamyoside D, vernonioside B₂ vernoamyoside [98,99]; nicotinic acid; cumidine; salicylic acid; isoquinoline; 3-methyl-, and γoctalactone [100]; vernolide, and vernodalol [101] Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiproliferative, antimalarial, neuroprotective, antinociceptive, and antidiabetic activities [97], [94,96,[102][103][104]; [100,[105][106][107][108] HNC: Cameroon national Herbarium [141][142][143] Kaempferol, quercetin 3-O-α-Darabinopyranosides, afzelin, quercitrin, quercetin 3-O-α-glucopyranoside, quercetin, quercetin 3-O-βgalactopyranoside, afzelin [141]; persin [144]; 1,2,4-trihydroxyheptadec-16-ene; 1,2,4-trihydroxyheptadec-16-yne; 1,2,4trihydroxynonadecane; persenones A and B; (1S,6R)-8-hydroxy abscisic acid-D-glucoside; (1R,3R,5R,8S)-pidihydrophaseic acid-D-glucoside; catechin; epicatechin [145] Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiproliferative, analgesic, anti-diabetic, cardiovascular, antihypertensive, antiviral, And wound healing activities [66,141,142,[146][147][148][149][150][151] Syzygium jambos (L.) Alst. (Myrtaceae)/ 30458/HNC Digestive, stimulant and remedy for dental disorders, fever, diarrhoea, dysentery, and catarrh [35,152] Phloretin 4′-O-methyl ether, myrigalone G, and myrigalone B [153], myricetin, myricitrin, gallic acid [36] Antibacterial, analgesic, antiproliferative, and antioxidant activities [35,[152][153][154] Aframomum letestuanum Gagnep. ...
Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a commensal and pathogenic bacterium responsible for both community and nosocomial infections, superficial or deep, and benign or lethal. Staphylococcus aureus is a commensal and pathogenic bacterium responsible for both community and nosocomial infections, superficial or deep, and benign or lethal. Because of its infectious potential and its ability to develop resistance to many antibiotics, staphylococcal infections remain the target of reinforced clinical surveillance. To contribute to the fight against resistant staphylococcal infections, the in vitro assessment of the anti-staphylococcal activity of methanol extracts (or botanicals) of nine food plants from Cameroon, Persea americana, Psidium guajava, Syzygium jambos, Vernonia amygdalina, Citrus sinensis, passiflora edulis, Carica papaya, Aframomum letestuanum, and Garcinia kola), as well as the effects of the association of some of these botanicals with antibiotics against resistant and multidrug-resistant staphylococci. Methods: The plant secondary metabolites were extracted by maceration in methanol; the microdilution method using the rapid para-Iodonitrotetrazolium chloride (INT) colorimetric method was applied to evaluate the antibacterial activities of the botanicals as well as the effects of combining these extracts with antibiotics. Results: The botanicals had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of 64-2048 µg/mL on the 17 staphylococcal strains and isolates tested. Extracts from Aframomum letestuanum seeds and Psidium guajava leaves and bark had the broadest activity spectra, inhibiting the growth of 95% and 85% of the studied bacteria, respectively. In the presence of an efflux pump inhibitor, reserpine, methanol extracts from Syzygium jambos leaves, Psidium guajava bark and epicarp, and Afromomum letestuanum epicarp showed a considerable increase in their activity. Botanicals from the leaves of Syzygium jambos improved the activities of tetracycline, ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol, and ampicillin against more than 80% of the tested bacteria. Conclusion: The investigated pants, mostly Psidium guajava, Syzygium jambos, and Aframomum letestuanum could be used in the treatment of staphylococcal infections with multidrug-resistant phenotypes.
... In our continuous search of new antibacterials from natural sources, the present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro antipseudomonal activity of methanol extracts of nine food plants from Cameroon P. americana is used in cases of worms, microbial infections, malaria, diabetes, high blood pressure, stimulates uterine contractions and relief painful menstruations, urinary infections, bronchitis, rheumatism, anemia, exhaustion, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, gastritis, and gastroduodenal ulcer, cancer, food, analgesic, as anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, anticonvulsant, and vasorelaxant [24][25][26]. The previously reported pharmacological activities of this plant include anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiproliferative, analgesic, anti-diabetic, cardiovascular, antihypertensive, antiviral, and wound healing activities [24,25,[27][28][29][30][31][32][33]. S. jambos has been used in folk medicines to treat digestive tract disorders, as a stimulant and remedy for dental disorders, and to treat fever, diarrhea, dysentery, and catarrh [34,35]. ...
Background: Despite the recognized efficiency of antibiotic therapy, the annual cases of deaths related to bacterial diseases are still growing in developing countries. In the present study, the in vitro antipseudomonal activity of the methanol extracts of nine food plants from Cameroon against the multidrug-resistant strains and isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa overexpressing active efflux pumps was determined. These plants included Persea americana, Syzygium jambos, Mangifera indica, Garcinia kola, Citrus sinensis, Passiflora edulis, Vernonia amygdalina, Aframomum letestuanum, and Artocarpus heterophylus.
Methods: The liquid microplate dilution method using the rapid para-Iodonitrotetrazolium chloride (INT) colorimetric method was applied to evaluate the antipseudomonal activities of botanicals, as well as their association with the efflux pump inhibitor and antibiotics.
Results: All botanicals displayed an antibacterial activity that varies from one bacterium to another, in the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of 64 µg/mL to 2048 µg/mL. The extracts from a mixture of leaves and bark of Syzygium jambos and Mangifera indica, the bark of Garcinia kola, and the leaves of Persea americana had the highest spectrum of antipseudomonal activity, with their inhibitory effects being noted in 100% of the 15 tested bacteria. Botanical from the leaves of Garcinia cola, were active against 90% of the strains tested, that from the bark of Persea americana and the leaves of Citrus sinensis were active against 70% and 60% of tested strains and isolates. Botanicals from the leaves and bark of Mangifera indica were very active against the isolates P124 and P57 with a MIC value of 64 µg/mL. At the concentration of MIC/2 and MIC/4, the extract from the leaves of Mangifera indica and Syzygium jambos potentiated the activity of four antibiotics (Penicillin, Ampicillin, Imipenem, Augmentin) on 100% (7/7) of the strains and isolates tested. Persea americana leaf extract also enhanced the activity of penicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, levofloxacin, ampicillin, and augmentin in 85% (6/7) of strains and isolates tested. The activity of all tested antibiotics increased in the presence of botanicals against at least one bacterial strain. The extract of leaves and bark of Persea americana, Psidium guajava, and leaves of Syzygium jambos potentiated the activity of 80% of the antibiotics on the strains and isolates tested.
Conclusion: Finally, the methanol extracts from the leaves and bark of Mangifera indica could be used effectively alone or in combination with antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa including antibiotic-resistant phenotypes expressing efflux
... Avocado oil has gained wide application in human nutrition, food industry, and cosmetics. The lipid content which consists mainly of monounsaturated fatty acids, has cardiovascular system benefits and anti-inflammatory potentials [18], [23]. Avocado oil contains more than 60% of monounsaturated fatty acids, a characteristic similar to that of olive oil, hazelnut, and macadamia nut. ...
Peptic ulcer disease is a gastrointestinal disorder of high mortality and morbidity. Therapy of this disease condition with conventional drugs presents therapeutic challenge due to incidents of unwanted side effects, and the high cost of these medications. The use of products from natural sources will provide useful alternatives due to their minimal side effects, being inexpensive, and readily available, especially in resource-challenged nations of the continent of Africa and other developing economies. Oils derived from plants are increasingly being used in management of several disease conditions. This study aims at evaluating the antiulcer activity of extra virgin avocado oil in rodents using ethanol-induced, and indomethacin-induced ulcer models. Test group was given extra virgin avocado oil (1ml per 250g weight) for 7 days before induction of ulcer. Positive controls received omeprazole 30 mg/kg, while negative control animals were given distilled water (10ml/kg) for 7 days respectively, before induction of ulcer. The stomachs were excised and their histopathological examinations carried out. Avocado oil significantly reduced the ulcer index in both models when compared to the negative control group, and histopathological findings corroborate that the oil ameliorates ulcerations in both models. The present study has demonstrated that extra virgin avocado oil possesses significant antiulcer activity.
... Depending on the part of the plant used, P. americana have been reported to possess several pharmacological activities which cannot all be listed here. These include: anti-bacterial and antimicrobial activity (Jiménez et al., 2013;Hinojosa and Linder, 2010), antiviral activity (De Almeida et al., 1998), anti-malarial activity (Komlaga et al., 2015), analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity (Adeyemi et al., 2002), hypoglycemic and antidiabetic activity (Anita et al., 2005), cardiovascular activity (Carvajal et al., 2014), anticancer activity (Butt et al., 2006), hypotensive activity (Dzeufi et al., 2014), wound healing activity (Nayak et al., 2008). Previous phytochemical studies of P. americana seed indicated the presence of Saponins, steroids, terpenoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, phenols, carbohydrates, cynogenetic glycosides and alkaloids (Idris et al., 2009;Arukwe et al. 2012). ...
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Persea americana Miller (Lauraceae) known as “pear” in Cameroon is comestible by the fruit. The leaves of the plant are traditionally used in the treatment of microbial infections, malaria, diabetes, high blood pressure, to stimulate uterine contractions and relief painful menstruations. The leaves and stem bark are also used to cure malaria and typhoid fever. Fresh pulps are used to lower cholesterol, prevents mental strain and cardiovascular diseases whilst the seeds are used against intestinal worms and skin infections.
Aim of the study
This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial activity and wound healing efficacy of methanol extract of Persea americana seed on an excision wound infected with Staphylococcus aureus using a rat model and characterise the mode of action of this extract.
Materials and methods
The antibacterial activities of the methanol extract were done against a panel of bacteria using broth microdilution method. The phytochemical analysis as well as the antioxidant activities were evaluated using colorimetric methods. The mode of action of P. americana was studied by targeting bacterial membranes, cytoplasmic contents, and the formation of biofilms. The therapeutic effect of the methanol extract was evaluated on an excision wound infected with Staphylococcus aureus.
Results
The methanol extract of P. americana seed displayed antibacterial properties MIC varying from 64 to 128 μg/mL which can be linked to its total phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents. The antibacterial activity of the extract is due to the bacterial biofilm inhibition and the perturbation of the bacterial membrane through the leakage of intracellular materials, the inhibition of H⁺-ATPases pumps. The gel based on P. americana extract showed a significant increase in the percentage of wound closure and had a significant reduction of the number of Colony Forming Units (CFU) of S. aureus at the infection site. The plant has antioxidant activity for wound healing which is lower than vitamin C. The toxicological report showed that the gel-based extract had negligible irritation on the skin and non-irritating to the eye, and therefore can be consider safe for use.
Conclusion
The present study revealed the antibacterial and wound healing properties of the MEPa and could possibly be used to tackle bacterial infections.
... Beyond its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, administration of avocado oil to hypertensive rats (1 ml/250 g rat weight) significantly decreased both systolic and diastolic pressure, but not in controls, acting similar to the antihypertensive drug losartan on blood pressure, vascular performance, and oxidative stress (Márquez-Ramírez et al. 2018). Moreover, reduction of the levels of triglycerides, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c) and LDL-c, without affecting the levels of HDL-c was shown in sucrose-fed rats (Carvajal-Zarrabal et al. 2014). In addition to these results, in preclinical studies with diabetic rats, avocado oil has shown antioxidant effects attenuating oxidative stress in the liver (Ortiz-Avila et al. 2015b). ...
A substantial change in dietary habits complemented with the consumption of some bioactive compounds, which can be contained in functional foods or nutraceuticals, may constitute an effective way to reduce the incidence of these pathologies. Vegetable and seed oils provide a broad range of components (including micro and macronutrients as well as phytochemicals) that can exert health benefits, related to beneficial bioactivity. This chapter provides a description of the main bioactivities associated with the consumption of some oils. Applications in functional foods include the use of phytosterols, which are naturally contained in vegetable oils and are able to reduce circulating cholesterol levels mainly by reducing its absorption in the gut due to their similar structure. Aside from the bioactive compounds contained in oils and oilseeds, the oil industry generates large amounts of waste that could be potentially recovered and used as valuable dietary components.
... However, LDH is also a known marker of cell necrosis 35 and hepatocellular damage. 9,36 Both enzyme levels were relatively high in C rats in comparison to adult Wistar rats 37 but lower than those found in Sprague-Dawley rats, 38 suggesting that C diets have a mildly negative effect on the heart and liver. However, the addition of glucomannan (G and GS diets) decreased (P < .05) ...
Glucomannan-enriched squid surimi improves cholesterolemia and liver antioxidant status. The effect of squid surimi enriched with glucomannan or glucomannan plus spirulina on liver and heart structures and cell damage markers was tested in fa/fa rats fed highly saturated-hyper-energetic diets. Animals were fed 70% AIN-93M rodent diet plus six versions of 30% squid surimi for 7 weeks: control (C), glucomannan (G), and glucomannan plus spirulina (GS). The cholesterol-control (HC), cholesterol-glucomannan (HG), and cholesterol-glucomannan plus spirulina (HGS) groups were given similar diets that were enriched with 2% cholesterol and 0.4% cholic acid. G and GS diets versus C diet significantly inhibited weight gain and lowered plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, liver steatosis, lipogranulomas, and total inflammation and alteration scores. The hypercholesterolemic agent significantly increased the harmful effects of the C diet. Liver weight, the hepatosomatic index, all damage markers, and total histological scoring rose for HC versus C (at least P < .05). The addition of glucomannan (HG vs. HC) improved these biomarkers, and non-additional effects from spirulina were observed except for the total liver alteration score. In conclusion, glucomannan and glucomannan plus spirulina blocked the highly saturated-hyper-energetic diet negative effects both with and without added cholesterol. Results suggest the usefulness of including these functional ingredients in fish products.
... It has also been found that administration of aqueous leaf extracts to rats with hypercholesterolemia caused a decrease in the levels of plasma glucose, total cholesterol and LDL and a significant increase in the HDL levels 33 . Avocado oil also reduces the very-low density lipids (VLDL), low density lipids (LDL) levels without affecting the high density lipids (HDL) levels in sick mice 34 . The anti-diarrheal property of bioactive compounds present in Avocado seeds has been reported. ...
Avocado, also known as the ‘Alligator pear’ is a tropical fruit that has originated from America. The analysis of the fruit constituents reveals that it abounds in various fatty acids, vitamins, carotenoids and other phytochemicals. It is hence a very nutritious food. Avocado oil, extracted from the fruit pulp and seeds also retains most of the nutrients present in the fruit and can be used as an alternate dietary supplement. The extraction and composition of Avocado oil has been discussed. Avocado and its oil possess several salutary properties and hence they have been traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments and disorders. This review highlights and focuses on the important pharmacological activities of this therapeutically important fruit and its oil.
Introduction:
indiscriminate use of anabolic steroids is associated with cardiovascular diseases, renal damage, and hepatic toxicity. Contrastingly, nutraceutical foods such as avocados prevent and control several diseases, as they can reduce the effects of oxidative stress.
Objective:
this study evaluates the benefits of consuming an avocado oil-based diet to attenuate the systemic damage caused by supraphysiological doses of testosterone, by analyzing the biochemical profile of 28 42-day-old male Wistar rats.
Methods:
silicone pellets containing testosterone were surgically implanted, and they received control or avocado oil-based feed. After 20 weeks, all the male rats were anesthetized and their blood samples collected.
Results:
although the high hormone concentration had a negative influence on the biochemical profile of these animals, the groups that consumed avocado oil exhibited a reduction in serum triacylglycerols (-21 %; p = 0.0001), VLDL (-20 %; p = 0.0085), LDL (-78 %; p < 0.0001), and total cholesterol (-12 %; p < 0.0001), along with positive changes in their HDL concentrations (+7 %; p = 0.001). The avocado oil groups also manifested a reduction in the total concentration of serum proteins (-24 %; p = 0.0357), albumin (-26 %; p = 0.0015), urea (-14 %; p = 0.04), and creatinine (-33 %; p < 0.0001). The concentration of liver transaminases was found to be higher in the animals included in the induced group (ALT, +66 %; p = 0.0005, and AST, +23 %; p = 0.0021), whereas they remained stable in the avocado oil group.
Conclusion:
from the above, it may be concluded that supraphysiological doses of testosterone are related to increased risk factors for cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic diseases, and that the consumption of avocado oil shields the biochemical profile, thus reducing the associated risk factors.
Obesity is a worldwide epidemic and is one of the factors involved in the etiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Obesity induces low‐grade inflammation and oxidative stress. The treatment for obesity involves changes in diet, physical activity, and even medication and surgery. Currently, the use of nutraceutical compounds is associated with health benefits. Ginger and avocado are used for many people all around the world; however, its effect as a nutraceutical compound is less known by the general population. For this reason, we searched information of the literature to point its effects on distinct mechanisms of defense against the obesity its comorbidities. The present review aimed showing that these nutraceuticals may be useful in obesity treatment. Reports have shown that ginger and avocado induce antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects by improving enzymatic activity and modulating obesity‐related impairments in the anti‐inflammatory system in different tissues, without side effects. Furthermore, ginger and avocado were found to be effective in reversing the harmful effects of obesity on blood lipids. In conclusion, on the basis of the positive effects of ginger and avocado in in vitro, animal, and human studies, these nutraceuticals may be useful in obesity treatment.
Edible oil processing by-products can be used to produce a renewable fuel called biogas through anaerobic digestion technology. In this process, the physicochemical characteristics of the substrates dictate the process conditions, stability and microbial profile. All these, in turn, affect the overall digester design and operational efficiency. Most edible oil processing by-products tend to exhibit comparatively similar physicochemical properties, allowing for echo studies to be conducted on them. Naturally, residual fats and oils in edible oil by-products should induce high methane production potential. However, this does not occur without certain drawbacks. In this work, a review is conducted on biogas systems that use edible oil processing by-products as substrates for anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic digestion opportunities and challenges associated with these substrates are identified by analysis of factors that affect anaerobic digestion. The factors are scrutinised under different sub-headings, viz., substrate physicochemical composition, process conditions and parameters. Knowledge gaps are identified. Additionally, strategies for resolving some of the highlighted challenges while leveraging opportunities identified are discussed.
Lemon grass is an aromatic medicinal grass belonging to the genus Cymbopogon. It is prevalent in the semi-temperate and tropical regions of Asian, American and African continents. A strong lemon fragrance, a predominant feature of this grass, is due to the high citral content in its oil. The redolence of the oil enables its use in soaps, detergents and perfumes. It also finds an application in the pharmaceutical industry. A vast array of ethnopharmacological applications of lemon grass exist today. Apart from nutrients such as fats, proteins, fiber and minerals, it also contains various bioactive compounds which may be grouped into alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins and tannins. The health restorative capacity of lemon grass may be ascribed to the diverse secondary metabolites it produces. This review attempts to give an overall description of lemon grass, highlighting its medicinal properties which make it a potent herb for pharmacognostic applications.
Rates of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are increasing worldwide in tandem with the metabolic syndrome, with the progressive form of disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) likely to become the most common cause of end stage liver disease in the not too distant future. Lifestyle modification and weight loss remain the main focus of management in NAFLD and NASH, however, there has been growing interest in the benefit of specific foods and dietary components on disease progression, with some foods showing protective properties. This article provides an overview of the foods that show the most promise and their potential benefits in NAFLD/NASH, specifically; oily fish/ fish oil, coffee, nuts, tea, red wine, avocado and olive oil. Furthermore, it summarises results from animal and human trials and highlights potential areas for future research.
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