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Abstract

Nuts hold prime significance throughout the world as they offer multiple health benefits owing to their highly nutritious profile. A number of scientific studies have demonstrated their actions against inflammation, oxidative damage, the aging process, as well as dementia or memory loss. However, only walnuts, followed by almonds, hazelnuts and pistachios, have shown promising results in empirical studies for memory improvements. So, the current review focuses on presenting hypotheses regarding anti-dementia property of nine different nuts: almond, walnut, pistachio, Brazil nut, peanut, pecans, cashew, hazelnut, and chestnut. The nutritious profile of nuts contains essential fats (mostly mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids), proteins (source for arginine, lysine and tryptophan), vitamins (riboflavin, folate, and various tocopherols), fibers, minerals (calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium) and trace elements (copper, zinc, and selenium). Interestingly, the constituents of natural products, nuts being an excellent example, work synergistically and/or in a side-effect neutralizing manner. These latter properties can make nuts an alternate therapy against humankind’s fight against memory loss.

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... Numerous scientific reports suggest that walnuts, rich in fibers, Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs), polyphenols (such as tannins and ellagic acid), vitamins (riboflavin, tocopherols), proteins (arginine, lysine, tryptophan), non-sodium minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus), and trace elements (copper, zinc, selenium), possess antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, and cognitive improvement properties. Walnuts, particularly rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, have also been found to enhance memory [21] . J. regia L. is a crucial tree with leaves, branches, trunk, roots, flowers, and fruits that are extensively used for nutritional, medicinal, and industrial purposes. ...
... Pistachios boast an impressive nutritional profile, encompassing a diverse array of essential nutrients vital for overall health. Rich in vitamins [6], these nuts are a notable source of vitamin B6 (≈1.7mg/100gr), promoting brain health and aiding in neurotransmitter synthesis [7,8]. Additionally, pistachios contain essential minerals such as potassium (120-150mg) phosphorus (5.8-11.4mg) ...
... According to reports, walnut functions as a memory booster and improves memory and learning abilities. It is thought that walnut raise levels of serotonin in the brain, which improve memory and learning ability (Arslan et al. 2020;Haider et al. 2011;Muthaiyah et al. 2014;Vaishnavi and Justin 2023;Yeh et al. 2022). Another study revealed that polyphenol extracts from green husks and kernels significantly improve the brain's capacity for learning and memory. ...
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The most widely utilized and reasonably priced tree in the world is Juglans regia L., often referred to as the walnut. It is a plant with medicinal properties that may be used as a remedy for a variety of human diseases. Since ages, it has been widely recognized to possess important nutritional and therapeutic qualities. Almost every portion of this species has been used to treat a wide range of infections. The biologically active compounds in the plant species are undoubtedly responsible for its therapeutic qualities. Certain secondary metabolites, such as glycosides, flavonoids, and polyphenols, are present in walnut foliage, shells, inflorescence, tree bark, and the roots. Juglans regia has been shown through pharmaceutical research documented by researchers to possess a variety of biological activities in the laboratory, in real life, and clinical experiments, including antifungal, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Juglone is one of the numerous bioactive substances found within numerous plant parts that have already been proven to be a potent anticancer substance in the treatment of fatal cancer. The substantial information as well as cultural knowledge gathered on pharmacological significance, nutritional value, and ethnomedicinal applications are described in this chapter.
... Tree nuts have become an integral part of different aspects of human life, ranging from nutritional intake and dietary preferences [1][2][3][4], health [5][6][7][8], livelihood and economic prosperity [9][10][11], and environmental sustainability [12][13][14]. Nuts are rich in fats, low in carbohydrates, and serve as excellent source of various nutrients such as vitamin E, magnesium, and selenium [4,[15][16][17][18]. Nuts also contain protein, dietary fiber, unsaturated fatty acids, amino acids, flavonoids, phytochemicals, phytonutrients, and minerals [1,2,[19][20][21]. ...
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India is one of the world's largest producers of tree nuts, yet it paradoxically remains a net importer of these commodities. This study aims to analyze the demand for imported tree nuts in India, motivated by the need to understand the factors contributing to this imbalance. The primary objective is to calculate income elasticities and own- and cross-price elasticities for five categories of imported tree nuts using the linear approximate almost ideal demand system model. Data is sourced from monthly import records from the United Nations Comtrade database covering 2014 to 2022. The tree nuts considered are almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts, and hazelnuts. Key findings reveal all imported tree nuts are normal goods. Cashews exhibit income elasticity (1.2), indicating a significant demand increase with rising incomes, while other nuts show income inelasticity. Cashews are price-elastic (-1.3), while other nuts are price-inelastic. Compensated cross-price elasticities indicate notable substitution effects, particularly between almonds and cashews. The study recommends enhancing domestic cashew production to meet growing demand and developing targeted marketing strategies to address competitive dynamics within the tree nut market. These strategies aim to reduce India's dependency on imports and promote a balanced, sustainable domestic market.
... Numerous studies in the literature have assessed the levels of bioactive compounds in nuts [15][16][17]. Nevertheless, comprehension of the complete content of essential substances in food is insufficient to ascertain the beneficial or detrimental effects of its consumption on human health. ...
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The bioaccessibility of zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and selenium (Se) from various nuts (Brazil nuts, walnuts, peanuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, and pistachios) was assessed using a simulated two-phase model of enzymatic digestion in vitro. The levels of Zn, Mg, and Ca were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, and Se was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. All tested nuts were good sources of Mg, and most, except macadamia nuts, were also good sources of Zn (the standard portion covers over 15% of NRV–R (UE) 1924/2006). Brazil nuts had the highest Se content. Almonds and Brazil nuts were rich in Ca. Se demonstrated the highest bioaccessibility from nuts (27.7% to 70.65%), whereas Ca exhibited the lowest bioaccessibility (below 9%). Pistachios had the highest Zn bioavailability, while cashews excelled in Mg bioaccessibility. Macadamia and pistachios were top for Ca bioaccessibility, and Brazil nuts for Se. Bioaccessibility is positively correlated with fat (for Zn: r = 0.23), carbohydrates (for Mg: 0.44; for Ca: 0.35), and sugar content (for Zn: r = 0.36; for Mg: 0.46; for Ca: 0.40).
... These constituents exhibit high nutritional value and health benefit effects (Alasalvar et al., 2020;Ros et al., 2021) (Figure 1a) and may act synergistically to prevent age-related diseases (Arslan et al., 2020). ...
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Cognitive disorders, including dementia, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, pose significant public health issues. Preventing/delaying their onset is essential as effective medical treatments are unavailable. Nuts contain bioactive compounds, including fatty acids, macronutrients such as proteins and dietary fibers, micronutrients, and polyphenols; these act synergistically preventing age‐related diseases. Epidemiological investigations have established that high nut consumption reduces cognitive impairment risk, suggesting it is useful for cognitively impaired individuals; however, clinical data on the effects of nut consumption on cognitive function are lacking. This review summarized nut consumption effects on oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and gut microbiota. Nuts reduce oxidative stress; their active substances, including glansreginin A, proanthocyanidins, quercetin, and nut oil, have significant anti‐inflammatory effects. Furthermore, they comprise complex mixtures, which synergistically induce beneficial changes in the intestinal microbial community.
... Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a novel concept proposed in 2020. Nut consumption is a crucial part of the Mediterranean diet and an important contributor of plant white matter, unsaturated fat acid (UFA), dietary fibers (DF), antioxidants and polyphenols, protein, vitamin E, and some trace elements (such as zinc and selenium) [5,6]. Nuts are widely available worldwide and comprise hard shells and edible cores. ...
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Although previous epidemiological studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between nut consumption and the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the evidence remains inconclusive and contentious. The aim of our study was to further conduct a meta-analysis of observational studies to explore the latest evidence of the influence of nut consumption on NAFLD. This meta-analysis included a comprehensive search of all articles published in the PubMed and Web of Science online databases as of April 2023. A total of 11 articles were included, comprising 2 prospective cohort studies, 3 cross-sectional studies, and 7 case–control studies, and a random effects model was used to evaluate the relationship between nuts and NAFLD. Results showed that the odds ratio (OR) of NAFLD was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.81–0.99, p < 0.001) when comparing the highest and lowest total nut intake, indicating a significant negative correlation. Furthermore, subgroup analysis revealed that the protective effect of nuts on NAFLD was more significant in females (OR = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.78–0.98, I2 = 76.2%). In summary, our findings provide support for a protective relationship between nut intake and risk of NAFLD. Further exploration of the association between other dietary components and NAFLD is an important avenue for future research.
Chapter
Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, plays various physiological roles in the host body by affecting immunity, reproduction, lactation, neuronal function, and protein synthesis. Exploring the regulatory mechanisms of Trp and its metabolites on host health promotes in-depth research and application of Trp-mediated nutrition in animals, including livestock and poultry production. This chapter describes the origin of Trp from alimentary proteins and briefly summarizes the metabolic pathways of Trp in animals.
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Dietary fibre from plant-based sources provides essential nutrients and antioxidants that promote overall health and protect against various chronic conditions. The objective of this study was to review the industrial applications and future aspects of different types of dietary fibre. This review explored the multifaceted nature of dietary fibres, emphasising their impact on digestive health, heart health, weight management, blood sugar control, and their role in preventing chronic diseases. Additionally, it delves into the sustainable aspects of dietary fibre and the promising future prospects they hold in personalised nutrition, gut health, and sustainable food production.
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This study aimed to examine the relationships between dietary patterns and perceived stress with memory deficits in 291 patients with heart failure aged 45–85 years. A total of 142 (48.8%) patients reported memory deficit. Three dietary patterns were identified by K-means clustering: nut-fruit-dairy, meat-processed, and traditional (high intake of cereals) diets. Compared to the traditional diet, the nut-fruit-dairy diet and meat-processed diet were associated with lower levels of deficits in short-term memory, delayed memory, and overall memory. What’s more, perceived stress was positively associated with deficits in short-term memory and overall memory, but the association was only found in patients adhering to the traditional diet using stratified analyses. Our findings suggest that adhering to a healthy diet may be conducive to improving deficits in short-term memory, delayed memory, and overall memory, while also buffering the adverse association between perceived stress and deficits in short-term memory and overall memory.
Chapter
The rising incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a challenging neurological disorder, is a practically global issue. To find potential treatments for the condition, research is being done on natural products. The potential therapeutic properties of tree nuts have been analyzed in many research articles and traditional medicinal systems like Persian Medicine because of their properties to protect the brain. The purpose of this chapter is to emphasize the advantages of consuming nuts as dietary supplements and natural therapies for AD patients by providing a pharmacological evaluation of their bioactive components. The macronutrients, micronutrients, and phytochemicals found in almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts have an effect on several pathways involved in the pathogenesis of AD, such as amyloidogenesis, tau phosphorylation, oxidative stress, cholinergic pathways, and some nontarget mechanisms, such as effects on neurogenesis and cholesterol-lowering and anti-inflammatory properties. Especially in the case of hazelnut, it reverses brain atrophy. Along with almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts, other nuts like pistachio, pine nuts, peanuts, areca nuts, kola nuts, and pecan nuts also have the potential to ameliorate Alzheimer’s disease by their bioactive components. Beyond the molecular effects associated with the phytochemicals, the utilization of these tree nuts as valuable nutrients for the prevention or perhaps management of AD may be more thoroughly investigated in scientific investigations.
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The development of cashew orchards increased in recent years in Burkina Faso, due to high nut demand on international markets. However, little activities have been oriented toward cashew cultivar development, and farmers often use seed plants with little or no information about genetic characteristics of the material at hand. Therefore, a description of cashew diversity is needed to provide guidance to farmers and identify elite material for the crop improvement. In this study, phenotypic attributes of cashew accessions collected in Western Burkina Faso were recorded. Then, Gower's distance was used to show phenotypic relationship among accessions. Furthermore, four microsatellite markers were used to assess the genetic diversity of accessions, based on amplicon sequences. Sequence patterns across samples were converted into 75 binary alleles, combining sequence length and nucleotide polymorphisms. The 75 binary markers were 100% polymorphic and provided high average alleles per primer of 18.75. The polymorphic information content (PIC) varied between 0.003 and 0.895, averaging 0.534 per primer. Gower's distance between cultivars varied between 0.151 and 0.894. Dendrograms based on Nei's distance and Gower's distance revealed three main clusters each, although group compositions were different. These results were discussed with an outlook on future cashew tree breeding in Burkina Faso.
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Oxidative stress (OS) contributes towards Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. OS can be a result of increased reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, reduced antioxidants, oxidatively damaged molecules and/or a combination of these factors. Scientific literature is scarce for the markers of OS specific for detecting AD at an early stage. The first aim of the current review is to highlight potential OS markers in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid, blood and/or urine that can be used for early diagnosis of human AD. The reason for exploring OS markers is that the proposed antioxidant therapies against AD appear to start too late to be effective. The second aim is to evaluate the evidence for natural antioxidants currently proposed to prevent or treat AD symptoms. To address these two aims, we critically evaluated the studies on humans in which various OS markers for detecting AD at an early stage were presented. Non-invasive OS markers that can detect mild cognitive impairment and AD at an early stage with greater specificity and sensitivity are primarily related to lipid peroxidation. However, a combination of OS markers, family history and other biochemical tests are needed to detect the disease early on. We also report that the long-term use of vitamins (vitamin E as in almonds) and polyphenol-rich foods (curcumin/curcuminoids of turmeric, gingko biloba, epigallocatechin-3-gallate in green tea) seem justified for ameliorating AD symptoms. Future research on humans is warranted to justify the use of natural antioxidants.
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Disease-modifying treatment strategies for Alzheimer disease (AD) are still under extensive research. Nowadays, only symptomatic treatments exist for this disease, all trying to counterbalance the neurotransmitter disturbance: 3 cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. To block the progression of the disease, therapeutic agents are supposed to interfere with the pathogenic steps responsible for the clinical symptoms, classically including the deposition of extracellular amyloid β plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangle formation. Other underlying mechanisms are targeted by neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, growth factor promotive, metabolic efficacious agents and stem cell therapies. Recent therapies have integrated multiple new features such as novel biomarkers, new neuropsychological outcomes, enrollment of earlier populations in the course of the disease, and innovative trial designs. In the near future different specific agents for every patient might be used in a “precision medicine” context, where aberrant biomarkers accompanied with a particular pattern of neuropsychological and neuroimaging findings could determine a specific treatment regimen within a customized therapeutic framework. In this review, we discuss potential disease-modifying therapies that are currently being studied and potential individualized therapeutic frameworks that can be proved beneficial for patients with AD.
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Background and objective: Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries all over the world. The only drug for ischemic stroke approved by FDA is recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). However, only 2-5% stroke patients receive rtPAs treatment due to its strict therapeutic time window. As ischemic stroke is a complex disease involving multiple mechanisms, medications with multi-targets may be more powerful compared with single-target drugs. Dl-3-n-Butylphthalide (NBP) is a synthetic compound based on l-3-n- Butylphthalide that is isolated from seeds of Apium graveolens. The racemic 3-n-butylphthalide (dl- NBP) was approved by Food and Drug Administration of China for the treatment of ischemic stroke in 2002. A number of clinical studies indicated that NBP not only improved the symptoms of ischemic stroke, but also contributed to the long-term recovery. The potential mechanisms of NBP for ischemic stroke treatment may target different pathophysiological processes, including anti-oxidant, antiinflammation, anti-apoptosis, anti-thrombosis, and protection of mitochondria et al. Conclusion: In this review, we have summarized the research progress of NBP for the treatment of ischemic stroke during the past two decades.
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Essential fatty acids, being indispensable during the stages of pregnancy, lactation and infancy influence the transmission of nerve impulses and brain function, and cashew nuts are a good source of these fatty acids. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of cashew nut consumption on reflex development, memory and profile of fatty acids of rat offspring treated during pregnancy and lactation. The animals were divided into three groups: Control (CONT), treated with 7% lipid derived from soybean oil; Normolipidic (NL) treated with 7% lipids derived from cashew nuts; and Hyperlipidic (HL) treated with 20% lipids derived from cashew nuts. Reflex ontogeny, Open-field habituation test and the Object Recognition Test (ORT) were assessed. The profile of fatty acids in the brain was carried out when the animals were zero, 21 and 60 days old. Accelerated reflex maturation was observed in animals treated with cashew nuts (p < 0.05). NL presented better memory in the Open-field habituation test; the NL and HL showed improvement of short-term memory in the ORT, but long term damage in HL (p < 0.05). The results of the lipid profile of the brain at the end of the experiment showed an increase in levels of saturated fatty acids and less Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in animals of the HL. The data showed that maternal consumption of cashew nuts can accelerate reflex maturation and facilitate memory in offspring when offered in adequate quantities.
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Background and Objective: It is believed in South-Asian traditions that a small dose of over-night soaked almonds taken in empty stomach have the potential to improve memory. This study aimed to investigate the comparative efficacy of whole and soaked almonds together with vitamin E estimation, given with or without food, for their memory protective effects in different animal models. Methodology: In study 1, different groups of mice (n = 9-10) were fed with three different doses (3, 6 and 12 g kg⁻¹) of almonds (whole, soaked and blanch-control) for 14 days. Memory protection was assessed using Morris water maze (MWM) in scopolamine-induced amnesia. Afterwards, mice were sacrificed and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition in hippocampus and frontal cortex was estimated. In study 2, High Fat Diet (HFD) was given to rats (n = 8) for 6 weeks for inducing memory impairment, together with different doses (1, 2 and 4 g kg⁻¹) of almonds (whole, soaked and blanch-control). Learning ability was tested through MWM performance in the last week. Besides, HPLC analysis was performed to see the effect of soaking on vitamin-E content of almonds. Results: Almond supplementation prevented scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice and improved learning ability in HFD-fed rats, respectively. Soaking led to an increase in vitamin-E content of almonds. Soaked almonds, consumed without food, protected memory and enhanced learning ability at a lower dose than the whole almonds in both models. With a dose-dependent trend, soaked almonds without food were found to be more effective in improving MWM performance and inhibiting AChE in hippocampus and frontal cortex. Conclusion: It is concluded that overnight soaking which enriches the vitamin-E content of almonds, effectively ameliorates memory impairments at low doses when consumed in empty stomach.
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Introduction: An unwanted consequence of population aging is the growing number of elderly at risk of neurodegenerative disorders, including dementia and macular degeneration. As nutritional and behavioral changes can delay disease progression, we designed the Walnuts and Healthy Aging (WAHA) study, a two-center, randomized, 2-year clinical trial conducted in free-living, cognitively healthy elderly men and women. Our interest in exploring the role of walnuts in maintaining cognitive and retinal health is based on extensive evidence supporting their cardio-protective and vascular health effects, which are linked to bioactive components, such as n-3 fatty acids and polyphenols. Methods: The primary aim of WAHA is to examine the effects of ingesting walnuts daily for 2 years on cognitive function and retinal health, assessed with a battery of neuropsychological tests and optical coherence tomography, respectively. All participants followed their habitual diet, adding walnuts at 15% of energy (≈30–60 g/day) (walnut group) or abstaining from walnuts (control group). Secondary outcomes include changes in adiposity, blood pressure, and serum and urinary biomarkers in all participants and brain magnetic resonance imaging in a subset. Results: From May 2012 to May 2014, 708 participants (mean age 69 years, 68% women) were randomized. The study ended in May 2016 with a 90% retention rate. Discussion: The results of WAHA might provide high-level evidence of the benefit of regular walnut consumption in delaying the onset of age-related cognitive impairment and retinal pathology. The findings should translate into public health policy and sound recommendations to the general population (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01634841).
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More than one-half of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients have low HDL cholesterol despite having well-managed LDL cholesterol. Almond supplementation has not been shown to elevate circulating HDL cholesterol concentrations in clinical trials, perhaps because the baseline HDL cholesterol of trial subjects was not low. This clinical trial was designed to test the effect of almond supplementation on low HDL cholesterol in CAD patients. A total of 150 CAD patients (50 per group), with serum LDL cholesterol ≤100 mg/dL and HDL cholesterol ≤40 mg/dL in men and ≤50 mg/dL in women, were recruited from the Aga Khan University Hospital. After recording vital signs and completing a dietary and physical activity questionnaire, patients were randomly assigned to 1 of the following 3 groups: the no-intervention group (NI), the Pakistani almonds group (PA), and the American almonds group (AA). The respective almond varieties (10 g/d) were given to patients with instructions to soak them overnight, remove the skin, and eat them before breakfast. Blood samples for lipid profiling, body weight, and blood pressure were collected, and assessment of dietary patterns was done at baseline, week 6, and week 12. Almonds significantly increased HDL cholesterol. At weeks 6 and 12, HDL cholesterol was 12-14% and 14-16% higher, respectively, in the PA and AA than their respective baselines. In line with previous reports, serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and VLDL cholesterol; total-to-HDL and LDL-to-HDL cholesterol ratios, and atherogenic index were reduced in both the PA and AA at weeks 6 and 12 compared with baseline (P < 0.05). Effect on serum lipids did not differ between the 2 almond groups. Dietary patterns, body weight, and blood pressure did not change in any of the 3 groups during the trial. A low dose of almonds (10 g/d) consumed before breakfast can increase HDL cholesterol, in addition to improving other markers of lipid abnormality in CAD patients with low starting HDL cholesterol. This trial was registered at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry as ACTRN12614000036617. © 2015 American Society for Nutrition.
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Variability of genotype and genotype  environment (G  E) interactions for fatty acids are important to develop high-oleic types in peanut varietal improvement programs. The objective of this study was to determine the variation in fatty acid composition among peanut genotypes and G  E interactions of fatty acids in three groups of genotypes with high, intermediate, and low-oleic acid. Twenty-one genotypes were tested in three environments consisting of two rainy seasons and one dry season. The results indicated that G  E interactions were significant for biomass, pod yield, and harvest index and also for oleic, linoleic acids, and O/L ratio. G  E interactions were less important than genotypic main effect. For oleic acid, significant interactions were found in the intermediate and low-oleic groups only. Therefore, selection for high-oleic trait in peanut breeding programs should be effective.
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Walnuts are amongst the most widely consumed of all commercially grown tree nuts in the world. Many health benefits have been claimed for the consumption of these including reduced risk of cardio-vascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease (CHD), type II diabetes treatment and prevention, treatment of certain cancers, and the lessening of symptoms attributed to age related and other neurological disorders. The health promoting benefits of walnut consumption are ascribed to its fatty acid profile, which is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with a particularly high ω3:ω6 ratio - the highest of all the tree nuts. The content of polyphenols and other phytochemicals in walnuts, with their claimed cytotoxic properties, also make them an attractive candidate for research into prevention of free radical induced nucleic acid damage. Research of walnut consumption in humans and animals employing a range of data sets and statistical methods suggest that walnuts may be considered a safe potential nutraceutical or possibly pharmaceutical substance. Nevertheless, few reviews of scientific research on the proposed benefits of these nuts exist, despite the numerous claims attributed to them in the lay media. This brief review article attempts to disseminate much of the information surrounding walnut consumption and human health benefits to other scientists and the interested general reader.
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Pistacia atlantica Desf. subspecies atlantica (Atlas pistachio) is a spontaneous tree species of the North-African steppe. Because individual trees can achieve great size and age, it is locally considered as fossil tree. Individual tree dimensions can exceed 25 m in height and 2 m in trunk circumference despite the very dry conditions of its growth. With the objective of determining the root architectures that optimize the survival in arid soils, root systems of seven Atlas pistachios were excavated and the number of superficial roots, deep roots and branch roots were determined and underlying soil for each tree was analyzed. Results show that young pistachio trees produce an initial orthogeotropic root which subsequently sends out several secondary ramifications. If soil is sandy, a shallow root network is developed to effectively mine soil moisture. On loamy or calcareous soils, extensive deep roots are developed to mine deeper water reserves typically protected against evaporation by upper soil levels. These deep roots also provide the required anchorage for the very large sizes that trees can achieve with age. Root architectures of Atlas pistachio thus differentially develop in response to physicochemical characteristics of underlying soils. Young trees rapidly develop an extensive shallow root which ensures a sufficient supply of water and minerals and subsequently developed a strong taproot to mine the deep ‘reservoir-levels’ sheltered from evaporation and to provide required anchorage. Key words: Plant-soil interactions, aridity, Pistacia atlantica, drought-adaptation, root-architecture. source: http://www.academicjournals.org/journal/AJAR/article-full-text-pdf/E91E50942967
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Background: Diabetes is a chronic, potentially debilitating, and often fatal disease. Dietary strategies to reduce postprandial glycemia are important in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Nuts are rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may reduce hyperglycemia and improve metabolism. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of pistachio nut supplementation on glycemic and inflammatory measures in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, 48 diabetic patients were equally assigned to groups A and B. Patients in group A received a snack of 25 g pistachio nuts twice a day for 12 weeks and group B received a control meal without nuts. After 12 weeks of intervention, the patients had an 8-week washout. Then the groups were displaced, and group B received the same amount of pistachios for 12 weeks. Results: With respect to the total change in variables over both phases, there was a marked decrease in HbA1c (-0.4%) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) concentrations (-16 mg/dl) in the pistachio group compared with the control group (p ≤ 0.001 for both). There was no overall significant change in BMI, blood pressure, HOMA-IR, and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. Analysis of the two phases separately showed a decrease in FBG by 14 mg/dl and in HbA1c by 0.45% in the treatment group (A) after 12 weeks, while no significant differences were seen in group B (control group). In the second phase, FBG decreased from 151.36 ± 39.22 to 137.28 ± 28.65 mg/dl (-14 mg/dl) and HbA1c decreased from 7.42 ± 0.97 to 7.15 ± 0.68 mg/dl (-0.28%, p = 0.013 and p = 0.033, respectively) in the pistachio group (B). Pistachio consumption reduced systolic blood pressure (p = 0.007), BMI (p = 0.011), and CRP (p = 0.002) in patients from the treatment groups, but not insulin resistance. Conclusions: Dietary consumption of pistachio nuts as a snack has beneficial effects on glycemic control, blood pressure, obesity, and inflammation markers in diabetic patients.
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Gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) is a phenolic acid widely distributed in many different families of higher plants, both in free state, and as a part of more complex molecules, such as ester derivatives or polymers. In nature, gallic acid and its derivatives are present in nearly every part of the plant, such as bark, wood, leaf, fruit, root and seed. They are present in different concentrations in common foodstuffs such as blueberry, blackberry, strawberry, plums, grapes, mango, cashew nut, hazelnut, walnut, tea, wine and so on. After consumption, about 70% of gallic acid is adsorbed and then excreted in the urine as 4-O-methylgallic acid. Differently, the ester derivatives of gallic acid, such as catechin gallate ester or gallotannins, are hydrolyzed to gallic acid before being metabolized to methylated derivatives. Gallic acid is a well known antioxidant compounds which has neuroprotective actions in different models of neurodegeneration, neurotoxicity and oxidative stress. In this review, we discuss about the neuroprotective actions of gallic acid and derivatives and their potential mechanisms of action.
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The term dementia derives from the Latin demens (“de”: private, “mens”: mind, intelligence, judgment—“without a mind”). The American Psychiatric Association (APA) describes it as “any mental impairment, or global cognitive decline in a previously unimpaired person” and is characterized by a deterioration of cognitive, intellectual, emotional, and behavioral skills, severe enough to interfere with the daily life of its sufferers (APA, 1994). It may be elicited by pathologies related to aging, stroke and mechanical injury, or by recurrent use of alcohol and substance abuse, including smoking (DeKosky et al., 2010; Rojas et al., 2010; Brown and Thore, 2011; Rusanen et al., 2011).
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Objective: Walnut (Juglans Regia) is a domestic fruit of Iran. Walnut kernel (WK) has many beneficial constituents such as unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin E. Scientific studies have shown that fatty acids and vitamin E can modulate learning and memory processes. The aim of the present work was to study effects of walnut consumption by mothers during pregnancy and lactation on learning and memory in adult rat offsprings. Materials and Methods: The animals were divided into three groups: control (fed with ordinary food, 20 g daily), gestation (fed with WK, 6% of food intake during pregnancy), and gestation and lactation (fed with WK, 6% of food intake during gestation and lactation). Morris water maze test was performed for their adult offsprings. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference in learning and memory of rat offsprings between experimental and control groups. Conclusion: These data may indicate that feeding mothers with WK results in improvement in learning and memory of their offsprings.
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The inclusion of nuts in the diet is associated with a decreased risk of coronary artery disease, hypertension, gallstones, diabetes, cancer, metabolic syndrome, and visceral obesity. Frequent consumption of berries seems to be associated with improved cardiovascular and cancer outcomes, improved immune function, and decreased recurrence of urinary tract infections; the consumption of nuts and berries is associated with reduction in oxidative damage, inflammation, vascular reactivity, and platelet aggregation, and improvement in immune functions. However, only recently have the effects of nut and berry consumption on the brain, different neural systems, and cognition been studied. There is growing evidence that the synergy and interaction of all of the nutrients and other bioactive components in nuts and berries can have a beneficial effect on the brain and cognition. Regular nut consumption, berry consumption, or both could possibly be used as an adjunctive therapeutic strategy in the treatment and prevention of several neurodegenerative diseases and age-related brain dysfunction. A number of animal and a growing number of human studies show that moderate-duration dietary supplementation with nuts, berry fruit, or both is capable of altering cognitive performance in humans, perhaps forestalling or reversing the effects of neurodegeneration in aging.
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As life expectancy lengthens, dementia is becoming a significant human condition in terms of its prevalence and cost to society worldwide. It is important in that context to understand the preventable and treatable causes of dementia. This article exposes the link between dementia and heart disease in all its forms, including coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, valvular disease, and heart failure. This article also explores the cardiovascular risk factors and emphasizes that several of them are preventable and treatable. In addition to medical therapies, the lifestyle changes that may be useful in retarding the onset of dementia are also summarized.
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Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disease of the brain named after German physician Aloes Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906. Alzheimer’s is the Address for most common form of dementia and affects an estimated 10 million people worldwide. The most common form of dementia is AD, which demolishes the vital brain cells, causing trouble with memory, thinking, and behavior, brutal enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies, and social life. Recognized factors in Alzheimer’s disease include acetylcholine deficiency, free radicals, and inflammation of the brain tissue. Many of the current drugs taken to treat the disease, such as, donepezil, have unpleasant side effects and doctors are keen to find alternatives. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but drugs designed to slow disease progression are available. Some herbs may help to improve brain function, but scientific evidence to prove that they can treat Alzheimer’s disease, is limited. Electronic database like MEDLINE, LILACS, Cochrane Library, dissertation Abstract (USA), National Research Register, Current Controlled trials, Centerwatch Trials Database, and PsychINFO Journal Article bases were used to search for information related to studies done on plants in the past years. The objective here is to provide a systematic review of the ongoing evidence pertaining to the use of medicinal herbs in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and its associated symptoms.
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Walnuts contain a number of potentially neuroprotective compounds like vitamin E, folate, melatonin, several antioxidative polyphenols and significant amounts of n-3 α-linolenic fatty acid. The present study sought to determine the effect of walnuts on verbal and non-verbal reasoning, memory and mood. A total of sixty-four college students were randomly assigned to two treatment sequences in a crossover fashion: walnuts-placebo or placebo-walnuts. Baseline data were collected for non-verbal reasoning, verbal reasoning, memory and mood states. Data were collected again after 8 weeks of intervention. After 6 weeks of washout, the intervention groups followed the diets in reverse order. Data were collected once more at the end of the 8-week intervention period. No significant increases were detected for mood, non-verbal reasoning or memory on the walnut-supplemented diet. However, inferential verbal reasoning increased significantly by 11·2 %, indicating a medium effect size (P = 0·009; d = 0·567). In young, healthy, normal adults, walnuts do not appear to improve memory, mood or non-verbal reasoning abilities. However, walnuts may have the ability to increase inferential reasoning.
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Background/objective: Grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) are a group of polyphenolic bioflavonoids, which possess a variety of biological functions and pharmacological properties. We studied the neuroprotective effects of GSP against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury and the potential mechanisms in mouse neuroblastoma N2a cells. Methods: OGD/R was conducted in N2a cells. Cell viability was evaluated by CCK-8 and LDH release assay. Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining and flow cytometry. Protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 were detected by Western blotting. CHOP, GRP78 and caspase-12 mRNA levels were assessed by real-time PCR. JC-1 dying was used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential. ROS levels, activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes and ATP production were examined to evaluate mitochondrial function. Results: GSP increased cell viability after OGD/R injury in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, GSP inhibited cell apoptosis, reduced the mRNA levels of CHOP, GRP78 and caspase-12 (ER stressassociated genes), restored mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP generation, improved activities of endogenous anti-oxidant ability (T-AOC, GXH-Px, and SOD), and decreased ROS level. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that GSP can protect N2a cells from OGD/R insult. The mechanism of anti-apoptotic effects of GSP may involve attenuating ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Background & objective: Medicinal plants have attracted great attention in the recent years and is increasingly applied instead of the chemical drugs. Several documents showed that herbal medicine traditionally and clinically applied in the cure and prevention of several diseases. In the recent years, different medicinal plants and their main components have been chosen in neurological therapy. The less toxic effects, availability, and lower price of medicinal plants versus synthetic substances make them as excellent and simple selection in the treatment of nervous diseases. Nigella sativa (N. Sativa) L. (Ranunculaceae), well recognized as black cumin, has been utilized as a medicinal plant that has a strong traditional background. Thymoquinone (TQ) is one of the main active components of the volatile oil of N. sativa seeds and most effects and actions of N. Sativa are mainly related to TQ. The several pharmacological properties of N. sativa and TQ have been found, for example; anti-tumor, anti-microbial, anti-histaminic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant effects. Many reviews have investigated this valuable plant and its components, but none of them focused on their neuroprotective effects. Therefore, the aim of the present review was to show comprehensive and neuropharmacological properties of N. sativa and TQ. In this review, various studies on scientific databases regarding the effects of N. sativa and TQ in neurological diseases have been introduced. Studies on the neuroprotective effects of N. sativa and TQ which were published between1979 and 2018, were searched using various databases. The results of these studies showed that N. sativa and TQ have the protective effects against neurodegenerative diseases, including; Alzheimer, depression, encephalomyelitis, epilepsy, ischemia, Parkinson, and traumatic brain injury have been discussed in the cell lines and experimental animal models. Although there are many studies indicating the beneficial actions of this plant in the nervous system, the number of research projects relating to the human reports is rare. Conclusion: Therefore, better designed clinical trials in humans are needed to confirm these effects.
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Importance Oxidative stress is an established dementia pathway, but it is unknown if the use of antioxidant supplements can prevent dementia. Objective To determine if antioxidant supplements (vitamin E or selenium) used alone or in combination can prevent dementia in asymptomatic older men. Design, Setting, and Participants The Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease by Vitamin E and Selenium (PREADViSE) trial began as a double-blind randomized clinical trial in May 2002, which transformed into a cohort study from September 2009 to May 2015. The PREADViSE trial was ancillary to the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT), a randomized clinical trial of the same antioxidant supplements for preventing prostate cancer, which closed in 2009 owing to findings from a futility analysis. The PREADViSE trial recruited 7540 men, of whom 3786 continued into the cohort study. Participants were at least 60 years old at study entry and were enrolled at 130 SELECT sites, and Cox proportional hazards models were used in a modified intent-to-treat analysis to compare hazard rates among the study arms. Interventions Participants were randomized to vitamin E, selenium, vitamin E and selenium, or placebo. While taking study supplements, enrolled men visited their SELECT site and were evaluated for dementia using a 2-stage screen. During the cohort study, men were contacted by telephone and assessed using an enhanced 2-stage cognitive screen. In both phases, men were encouraged to visit their physician if the screen results indicated possible cognitive impairment. Main Outcomes and Measures Dementia case ascertainment relied on a consensus review of the cognitive screens and medical records for men with suspected dementia who visited their physician for an evaluation or by review of all available information, including a functional assessment screen. Results The mean (SD) baseline age of the 7540 participants was 67.5 (5.3) years, with 3936 (52.2%) reporting a college education or better, 754 (10.0%) reporting black race, and 505 (6.7%) reporting Hispanic ethnicity. Dementia incidence (325 of 7338 men [4.4%]) was not different among the 4 study arms. A Cox model, which adjusted incidence for participant demographic information and baseline self-reported comorbidities, yielded hazard ratios of 0.88 (95% CI, 0.64-1.20) for vitamin E, 0.83 (0.60-1.13) for selenium, and 1.00 (0.75-1.35) for the combination compared with placebo. Conclusions and Relevance Neither supplement prevented dementia. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the long-term association of antioxidant supplement use and dementia incidence among asymptomatic men.
Article
Objectives: Corylus avellana L. (hazelnut) is known to be a delicious and nutritious food. This study was carried out to evaluate the use of hazelnut as a therapy for memory impairment because in Iranian traditional medicine, it is recommended for those suffering from a particular type of dementia, with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Methods: In this study, rats were fed with hazelnut kernel [(without skin) 800 mg/kg/day] during 1 week before stereotaxic surgery to 24 hours before behavioral testing (in general, for 16 consecutive days) and the effect of hazelnut eating on memory, anxiety, neuroinflammation and apoptosis was assessed in the amyloid beta-injected rat. Results: The results of this study showed that feeding with hazelnut improved memory, (which was examined by using Y-maze test and shuttle box apparatus), and reduced anxiety-related behavior, that was evaluated using elevated plus maze. Also, western blotting analysis of cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein, and caspase-3 showed that hazelnut has an ameliorating effect on the neuroinflammation and apoptosis caused by Aβ. Discussion: These findings suggest that hazelnut, as a dietary supplement, improves healthy aging and could be a beneficial diet for the treatment of AD.
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Dietary nutrients may play a vital role in protecting the brain from age-related memory dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases. Tree nuts including almonds have shown potential to combat age-associated brain dysfunction. These nuts are an important source of essential nutrients, such as tocopherol, folate, mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, and polyphenols. These components have shown promise as possible dietary supplements to prevent or delay the onset of age-associated cognitive dysfunction. This study investigated possible protective potential of almond against scopolamine induced amnesia in rats. The present study also investigated a role of acetylcholine in almond induced memory enhancement. Rats in test group were orally administrated with almond suspension (400mg/kg/day) for four weeks. Both control and almond-treated rats were then divided into saline and scopolamine injected groups. Rats in the scopolamine group were injected with scopolamine (0.5mg/kg) five minutes before the start of each memory test. Memory was assessed by elevated plus maze (EPM), Morris water maze (MWM) and novel object recognition (NOR) task. Cholinergic function was determined in terms of hippocampal and frontal cortical acetylcholine content and acetylcholinesterase activity. Results of the present study suggest that almond administration for 28 days significantly improved memory retention. This memory enhancing effect of almond was also observed in scopolamine induced amnesia model. Present study also suggests a role of acetylcholine in the attenuation of scopolamine induced amnesia by almond.
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Nutrition plays a fundamental role in supporting the structural and functional development of the human brain from conception, throughout early infancy and extending into later life. A growing body of evidence suggests that folate and the metabolically related B-vitamins are essential for brain health across all age groups, owing to their specific roles in C1 metabolism and particularly in the production of S-adenosylmethionine, a universal methyl donor essential for the production of neurotransmitters. Emerging, though not entirely consistent, evidence suggests that maternal folate status throughout pregnancy may influence neurodevelopment and behaviour of the offspring. Furthermore optimal B-vitamin status is associated with better cognitive health in ageing. Of note, a recent clinical trial provided evidence that supplementation with folic acid and related B-vitamins over a 2-year-period reduced global and regional brain atrophy, as measured by MRI scan in older adults. In terms of potential mechanisms, the effects of these B-vitamins on cognitive health may be independent or may be mediated by nutrient-nutrient and/or relevant gene-nutrient interactions. Furthermore, a new area of research suggests that the in utero environment influences health in later life. Folate, an important cofactor in C1 metabolism, is indirectly involved in DNA methylation, which in turn is considered to be one of the epigenetic mechanisms that may underlie fetal programming and brain development. The present review will explore the evidence that supports a role for folate and the related B-vitamins in brain health across the lifecycle, and potential mechanisms to explain such effects.
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Tree nuts such as pecans (Carya illinoinensis) contain mostly oil but are also a source of polyphenols. Nut consumption has been linked to a reduction in serum lipid levels and oxidative stress. These effects have been attributed to the oil while overlooking the potential contribution of the polyphenols. Because the evidence regarding each fraction's bioactivity is scarce, we administered high-fat (HF) diets to male Wistar rats, supplementing them with pecan oil (HF+PO), pecan polyphenols (HF+PP) or whole pecans (HF+WP), and analysed the effects of each fraction. The HF diet increased the serum leptin and total cholesterol (TC) with respect to the control levels. The HF+WP diet prevented hyperleptinemia and decreased the TC compared with the control. The HF+WP diet upregulated the hepatic expression of apolipoprotein B and LDL receptor mRNAs with respect to the HF levels. The HF+PO diet reduced the level of triacylglycerols compared with the control. The HF+PP diet stimulated the hepatic expression of liver X receptor alpha mRNA. The HF+WP diet increased the activities of hepatic catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S transferase compared with the control, and decreased the degree of lipid peroxidation compared with the HF diet. The most bioactive diet was the WP diet.
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Objective To account for variations in dietary oxalate content in resources available to hyperoxaluric patients. Our objective is to examine the heterogeneity of the oxalate content reported across various Web-based sources and smartphone applications. Methods A search of “oxalate content of food” was performed using the Google search engine. Smartphone applications were identified by their ability to assess oxalate content. Oxalate contents were obtained, and common foods were selected for comparison. Food groups were compared to better understand how patients are guided when using these references to manipulate their diet. Results Thirteen sources were identified, and 8 sources (6 Web sites and 2 applications) were used to construct figures for comparison of commonly listed foods. Oxalate content was extremely variable between various sources. Fruits with the widest observed range of oxalate included oranges (2.07-10.64 mg/100 g) and bananas (0-9.9 mg/100 g). Among vegetables, the oxalate contents of spinach (364.44-1145 mg/100 g), rhubarb (511-983.61 mg/100 g), and beets (36.9-794.12 mg/100 g) were most variable. Among nuts, the oxalate content of peanuts ranged from 64.57 to 348.58 mg/100 g, and pecans ranged from 4.08 to 404.08 mg/100 g. Conclusion Wide variations exist in the reported oxalate content of foods across several Web-based sources and smartphone applications, several of which are substantial and can have a sizable impact on the construction of a low oxalate diet. As dietary counseling has proven benefits, patients and caregivers should be aware of the heterogeneity that exists in the reported oxalate content of foods.
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Unlabelled: Procyanidins, polymeric flavan-3-ols, are known to possess antioxidant, antiatherogenic, and anticarcinogenic properties. In the present study, we investigated the role of almond (Prunus amygdalus) skin procyanidins (ASP) in regulating the protein expression of phase II detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes in HepG2 cells and acetaminophen (APAP)-treated hepatotoxic mice. Treatments of ASP significantly induced the expression of phase II enzymes including Nad(p)h: quinoneoxidoreductase 1, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in the cells and mice. ASP also potently enhanced the expression of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and antioxidant response element (ARE)-reporter gene activity in vitro. APAP-induced hepatotoxic markers including AST and ALT in mice were inhibited by ASP administration. However, regulation of upstream kinases by ASP was different between in vitro and in vivo models. Collectively, ASP could induce the activation of Nrf2/ARE-mediated phase II detoxifying/antioxidant enzymes but with differential regulation on upstream kinases between in vitro and in vivo.
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The metabolism of folic acid and the metabolism of vitamin B12 are intimately linked such that deficiency of either vitamin leads to an identical megaloblastic anemia. The neurologic manifestations of folate deficiency overlap with those of vitamin B12 deficiency and include cognitive impairment, dementia, depression, and, less commonly, peripheral neuropathy and subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord. In both deficiency states there is often dissociation between the neuropsychiatric and the hematologic complications. There is a similar overlap and dissociation between neurologic and hematologic manifestations of inborn errors of folate and vitamin B12 metabolism.
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Peanuts are important dietary food source of resveratrol with potent antioxidant properties implicated in reducing risk of cancer, cardiovascular and Alzheimer's disease, and delaying aging. Resveratrol is a naturally occurring stilbene phytoalexin phenolic compound produced in response to a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses. This paper is a review of trans-resveratrol and related stilbenes from peanuts-their chemical structures, mechanisms for their biosynthesis, and concentrations in comparison with other major food sources. It will also discuss trans-resveratrol's absorption, bioavailability, and major health benefits; processes to enhance their biosynthesis in peanuts by biotic and abiotic stresses; process optimization for enhanced levels in peanuts and their potential food applications; and methods used for its extraction and analysis.
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Fatty acid profiles of commercially available tree nuts were analyzed and association between fatty acid composition and protective effects against oxidative stress was investigated. Among commercially available tree nuts, walnuts showed the most potent protective effects for both cell viability and 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) formation. Neuronal cell viability and inhibition of intracellular oxidative stress were inversely related to saturated fatty acid contents in tree nuts. Eigen analysis revealed that principal component (PC) 1 was mainly contributed by 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCF-DA), DPPH, and C18:2 and C18:3. PC2 was contributed by MTT assay, and saturated fatty acids. Walnuts exhibited the highest potency against oxidative stress closely related with C18:3, based on principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson’s correlation analyses. A combination of fatty acid profiling using chromatographic analysis and PCA is a promising method to evaluate oxidative stress.
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Serotonin (5-HT) neuron and neurotransmitter loss in normal aging and neuropsychiatric diseases of late life may contribute to behavioral changes commonly observed in the elderly population. Extensive evidence implicates a deficit in serotonergic neurotransmission in the development of major depression. It has been further suggested that the age-related changes in 5-HT neurons may predispose the elderly to develop depression. There is also increasing evidence that a combination of disturbances in cholinergic and serotonergic function may play a role in cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with serotonergic dysfunction potentially responsible for a significant portion of the behavioral aspects of the disease. This implication of the 5-HT system in aging and age-related cognitive and mood disorders rests in large part on post mortem studies and animal models, which are limited in their capacity to predict dynamic human biochemical-behavior relationships or to accurately model the living human brain. Initial applications of functional brian imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) in the in vivo study of the brain in aging, depression, and dementia focused on characterizing alterations in physiological measurements of cerebral metabolism and perfusion. However, recent advances in PET radiochemistry, instrumentation, and image processing have paved the way for noninvasive means to test specific hypotheses regarding the direct involvement of 5-HT neurons in the behavioral features of aging and to define and monitor therapeutic regimens for neuropsychiatric conditions of late life. Coupling of clinical trials in well-characterized subject populations with PET imaging using ligands specific for 5-HT receptor subtypes and transporter proteins promises to increase our understanding of the role of the 5-HT system in affective and cognitive aspects of treatment response. Longitudinal studies in aging, late-life depression, and AD are also needed to evaluate the complex interplay between neurodegenerative processes and serotonergic neurotransmission.
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Background: The role of folate and homocysteine in brain atrophy associated with Alzheimer's disease is not completely understood. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between serum folate and homocysteine levels and the degree of cortical-subcortical and hippocampal atrophy in a first relatively preliminary sample of the Treviso Dementia (TREDEM) study using a potent data mining method. Methods: Physiological data, biochemical parameters, clinical assessment data, brain atrophy severity assessed with CT scans, and neuropsycological and disability data were assessed in a group of 232 outpatients (93 men and 139 women, aged 40.2-100 years) enrolled in the TREDEM study carried out in Treviso (Italy). A semantic connectivity map obtained through the Auto-CM system, a fourth generation artificial neural network (ANN), was used to offer some insight regarding the complex biological connections between the studied variables and the degree of brain atrophy. Results: Close associations between low serum folate levels and severe cortical-subcortical atrophy along with severe hippocampal atrophy measured by the width of the temporal horns of lateral ventricles were found. We also showed an association between high homocysteine levels and severe cortical-subcortical and hippocampal atrophy. Conclusion: The role of folate, which is inversely associated with the severity of brain atrophy, was confirmed. Our results also confirm the association between high homocysteine levels and severe cortical-subcortical and hippocampal atrophy. Auto-CM ANN is able to highlight associations sometimes visible only in longitudinal studies through intelligent data mining of a cross-sectional study.
Article
Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity was determined using phenylacetate as substrate (arylesterase activity) in 304 individuals with dementia - 136 recognised as probable Alzheimer's disease (AD), 64 as dementia of vascular origin (VaD) and 104 as mixed dementia (MD) and in 129 persons without symptoms of dementia and in a good general health. -108C>T polymorphism in the PON1 gene promoter and p.Q192R polymorphism in the coding region were identified. PON1 activity was significantly lower in demented patients as compared with controls particularly in dementia of a neurodegenerative character (AD and MD). The prevalence of PON1-108T allele carriers was significantly higher in the AD group than in controls. The frequencies of the p.Q192R genotypes did not differ significantly between the investigated groups. An association of the rare T-R haplotype with dementia, particularly with dementia of the neurodegenerative type, was found. Multivariate regression analysis showed a significant association of PON1 activity with PON1 -108C>T and p.Q192R polymorphisms. The influence not only of promoter -108C>T, but also of p.Q192R polymorphism on PON1 arylesterase activity was observed. One has to admit that this kind of polymorphism does not preclude interference with the enzyme activity. It could be concluded that the PON1 gene promoter polymorphism plays an additional role in Alzheimer's disease development. It seems however that PON1 activity has a dominating influence on the dementia risk.
Article
Chestnut inner skin was known to contain various phenolics as a potential antioxidant, and 3 phenolics (catechin, epicatechin, and gallic acid) were isolated. The relative antioxidant capacity of 3 phenolics in vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacity (VCEAC) evaluated by ABTS assay was in decreasing order as follows: gallic acid>catechin>epicatechin>vitamin C. Gallic acid showed the highest inhibitory effect against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in a dose-dependent manner and competitive inhibition. However catechins presented neuroprotective effects on amyloid β-induced neurotoxicity by MTT, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and neutral red uptake assays. Considering above data, it was supposed that gallic acid, catechin, and epicatechin have various antiamnesic effect in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Therefore, it was strongly suggested that chestnut inner skin as phenolics-rich substance can be used in functional food supplement or pharmaceutical industry by utilization of wastage from valuable resources.
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Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene) is a naturally occurring compound found in grapes, wine, peanuts and cranberries. Recently, in vitro and cell culture studies have reported beneficial effects of resveratrol in the neurodegenerative process in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, in vivo effect of resveratrol in models of learning and memory is not yet evaluated. The present study was performed to examine the effect of resveratrol on cognitive impairment induced by scopolamine, a muscarinic antagonist, in mice. Scopolamine was administered in a dose of 1 mg/kg intraperitoneally (ip). Cognitive functions were assessed using transfer latency (TL) on elevated plus maze, step-down latency (SDL) on a passive avoidance apparatus and escape latency (EL) in Morris water maze test. Scopolamine produced significant prolongation of TL, reduction in SDL as well as EL showing cognitive impairment in mice. Pre-treatment with resveratrol (10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg, ip) for 21 days showed no difference in TL, SDL and EL. Resveratrol treatment does not reverse scopolamine-induced deficit in cognitive functions in mice.
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The pistachio is a nutrient-dense nut with a heart-healthy fatty-acid profile as well as protein, dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin K, γ-tocopherol, and a number of phytochemicals. The pistachio's unique green and purple kernel color is a result of its lutein and anthocyanin content. Among nuts, pistachios contain the highest levels of potassium, γ-tocopherol, vitamin K, phytosterols, and xanthophyll carotenoids. Five published randomized cardiovascular trials have shown that pistachios promote heart-healthy blood lipid profiles. Exploratory clinical studies suggest that pistachios help maintain healthy antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, glycemic control, and endothelial function. When consumed in moderation, pistachios may help control body weight because of their satiety and satiation effects and their reduced net metabolizable energy content. One study with subjects in a weight-loss program demonstrated lower body mass index and triglyceride levels in individuals who consumed pistachios compared with those who consumed an isocaloric pretzel snack. Emerging research suggests that the addition of pistachios to high-glycemic meals may lower the overall postprandial glycemic response. This review examines the nutrients and phytochemicals in pistachios as well as the potential health effects of these nuts.
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The polyphenolic compound resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene) is a naturally occurring phytochemical which has been found in more than 70 plant species, including herbs and human food products such as grapes, berries, and peanuts. Resveratrol was first isolated in 1940; however, little attention was paid to it until its benefits in coronary heart disease were studied in 1992. Since then, increasing evidence has indicated that resveratrol may be useful in treating cardiovascular diseases, cancers, pain, inflammation, tissue injury, and in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disorders, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is characterized by a progressive dementia, and is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders in the elderly. It has been reported that resveratrol exhibits neuroprotective benefits in animal models of AD. Resveratrol promotes the non-amyloidogenic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein, enhances clearance of amyloid beta-peptides, and reduces neuronal damage. Despite the effort spent trying to understand the mechanisms by which resveratrol functions, the research work in this field is still incomplete. Many concerns such as bioavailability, biotransformation, synergism with other dietary factors, and risks inherent to its possible pro-oxidant activities still need to be addressed. This review summarizes and discusses the neuroprotective effects of resveratrol on AD, and their potential mechanisms.
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The fruits of Semecarpus anacardium L. f. (Anacardiaceae) are used in Ayurvedic medicine and also in Iranian Traditional Medicine for various indications, among those for retarding and treatment of dementia. The severity of Alzheimer's disease obviously correlates with a cholinergic deficit. In a screening for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity, an extract from the fruit resin of Semecarpus anacardium was among the most active ones. Thus, the aim of this study was to isolate the active compounds and to investigate them in detail. Their binding mode to the active site of AChE was investigated by in silico docking experiments. From a dichloromethane extract in an activity-guided fractionation the active compounds were isolated under use of different chromatographic techniques. Their structures were unambiguously identified by one and two-dimensional (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and their cholinesterase inhibitory activities were determined by a microplate assay. In order to compare the 3D active sites of AChE from Torpedo californica (TcAChE) and from Electrophorus electricus (EeAChE), three files from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) were used and for docking experiments, GOLD 3.1 software was employed. The concentrations of active compounds in the extract and the fruits were determined by HPLC analysis. The active compounds were determined as 1',2'-dihydroxy-3'-pentadec-8-enylbenzene (A) and 1',2'-dihydroxy-3'-pentadeca-8,11-dienylbenzene (B). Their IC(50) values in an in vitro assay on AChE inhibition were determined as 12 and 34 μg/mL, respectively, while they were not active in the inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). In silico docking experiments showed a similar bioactivity for compounds A and B. The concentration of compounds A and B in the fruits was 1.85% and 1.88%, respectively. In the search for the active principle of the fruit resin of Semecarpus anacardium, compounds A and B were identified as two selective inhibitors for AChE versus BChE.
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Walnut has been regarded as a health food that is delicious and nutritious. Both preventive and therapeutic effects of walnut are well documented. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are reported to have beneficial effects on brain function. The present work was designed to evaluate the effects of walnuts on learning and memory in male rats. The effect of oral intake of walnut was also monitored on food intake. Walnut was given orally to rats for a period of 28 days. Memory function in rats was assessed by elevated plus maze (EPM) and radial arm maze (RAM). A significant improvement in learning and memory of walnut treated rats compared to controls was observed. Walnut treated rats also exhibited a significant decrease in food intake while the change in growth rate (in terms of percentage) remained comparable between the two groups. Analysis of brain monoamines exhibited enhanced serotonergic levels in rat brain following oral intake of walnuts. The findings suggest that walnut may exert its hypophagic and nootropic actions via an enhancement of brain 5-HT metabolism.
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Oxidative stress has been associated with the onset and progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer disease (AD). AD and MCI brain and plasma display extensive oxidative stress as indexed by protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, free radical formation, DNA oxidation, and decreased antioxidants. The most abundant endogenous antioxidant, glutathione, plays a significant role in combating oxidative stress. The ratio of oxidized to reduced glutathione is utilized as a measure of intensity of oxidative stress. Antioxidants have long been considered as an approach to slow down AD progression. In this review, we focus on the elevation on glutathione through N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and γ-glutamylcysteine ethyl ester (GCEE) as a potential therapeutic approach for Alzheimer disease. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Antioxidants and Antioxidant Treatment in Disease.