Article

The uses and properties of almond oil

February 2010
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 16(1):10-2

DOI:10.1016/j.ctcp.2009.06.015

Source
PubMed

Authors:

Almond oil [Oleum amygdalae] has long been used in complementary medicine circles for its numerous health benefits. Although no conclusive scientific data exists currently, almonds and almond oil have many properties including anti-inflammatory, immunity-boosting and anti-hepatotoxicity effects. Further, associations between almond oil and improved bowel transit have been made, which consequently reduces irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Further, some studies show a reduced incidence of colonic cancer. Moreover, cardiovascular benefits have also been identified with almond oil elevating the levels of so-called 'good cholesterol', high-density lipoproteins (HDL), whilst it reduces low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Historically, almond oil had been used in Ancient Chinese, Ayurvedic and Greco-Persian schools of Medicine to treat dry skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Further, it is through anecdotal evidence and clinical experiences that almond oil seemingly reduces hypertrophic scarring post-operatively, smoothes and rejuvenates skin. Almond oil has emollient and sclerosant properties and, therefore, has been used to improve complexion and skin tone. Further studies looking into the use of almond oil post-operatively for the reduction of scarring are suggested.

Effect of dietary sweet almond oil on performance, carcass parameters, blood values and meat quality of Japanese quails.

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2023

Erinç Gümüş

In this study, the effects of two different levels of sweet almond supplementation (2,500 and 5,000 mg/kg) to Japanese quails’ diets (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) on performance, carcass group, blood values and meat quality were examined. For this purpose, 72 one-day-old Japanese quails were randomly distributed under control and two different experimental groups for 35 days experiment, and their body weight and feed consumption were evaluated. At the end of the study, a total of 8 animals from each group were selected and slaughtered. Hot carcass yield, relative weights of liver, heart, spleen, gizzard, proventriculus and bursa of Fabricius to body weight were determined in slaughtered animals. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and lipase levels in blood serum samples and water holding capacity, pH, malondialdehyde, L, a*, and b* values in breast meat samples were investigated. As a result of the study, it was determined that the addition of sweet almond oil had a positive effect on performance, decreased lipase level in blood serum, and 2,500 mg/kg sweet almond oil supplementation reduced the ratio of proventriculus to body weight. To sum up, it was found that the addition of sweet almond oil to Japanese quail rations had a positive effect on performance and feed consumption; it also appears to reduce blood serum lipase value and proventriculus weight.

Utilizing Almond Oil with Vitamin E as an Alternative Fixative to Formalin

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2022
ANN CLIN LAB SCI

Introduction: The health hazards resulting from exposure to formalin have given rise to the need of developing safer alternative fixatives. Almond oil has been widely used in the aromatherapy and cosmetic industry for its good penetrating and skin-rejuvenating properties, whereas vitamin E is a widely known anti-oxidant. The present study aimed to test the fixative efficacy of almond oil with vitamin E as compared to formalin. Material and Methods: The present study was conducted on 42 tissue specimens obtained by crown lengthening procedure or other minor surgical procedures. The specimens were divided into two groups- 21 specimens in the study group were fixed in oil fixative while others were fixed in formalin for 24 hours. Routine histopathological procedures were done and the histomorphological parameters related to the preservation of tissue architecture as well as cellular details were assessed. Result: The preservation of tissue architecture and cellular details in tissues fixed in AO were comparable to that of tissues fixed in formalin. Although statistically non-significant, all the three investigators agreed that oil-fixed tissues exhibited superior nuclear details as compared to formalin. Conclusion: Almond oil with vitamin E can be effectively used for the fixation of tissues, providing results that are comparable to formalin-fixed tissues. The non-toxic, non-irritant chemical nature of almond oil coupled with its ease of availability, enable it to be utilized safely even in remote areas.

Development of Olive Oil and α-Tocopherol Containing Emulsions Stabilized by FucoPol: Rheological and Textural Analyses

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2022

Biobased raw materials like natural polysaccharides are increasingly sought by the cosmetic industry for their valuable properties. Such biodegradable and usually non-cytotoxic biopolymers are commonly used in skin-care products as rheological modifiers, bioemulsifiers and/or bioactive ingredients. FucoPol is a natural polysaccharide with reported biocompatibility, emulsion-forming and stabilizing capacity, shear-thinning behavior and bioactivity (e.g., antioxidant capacity, wound healing ability) that potentiate its utilization in skin-care products. In this study, olive oil and α-tocopherol containing emulsions were stabilized with FucoPol. Although the presence of α-tocopherol negatively impacted the emulsions’ stability, it increased their emulsification index (EI). Moreover, FucoPol outperformed the commercial emulsifier Sepigel® 305, under the tested conditions, with higher EI and higher stability under storage for 30 days. The formulation of FucoPol-based emulsions with olive oil and α-tocopherol was studied by Response Surface Methodology (RSM) that allowed the definition of the ingredients’ content to attain high emulsification. The RSM model established that α-tocopherol concentration had no significant impact on the EI within the tested ranges, with optimal emulsification for FucoPol concentration in the range 0.7–1.2 wt.% and olive oil contents of 20–30 wt.%. Formulations with 25 wt.% olive oil and either 0.5 or 2.0 wt.% α-tocopherol were emulsified with 1.0 wt.% or 0.7 wt.% FucoPol, respectively, resulting in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. The emulsions had similar shear-thinning behavior, but the formulation with higher FucoPol content displayed higher apparent viscosity, higher consistency, as well as higher firmness, adhesiveness and cohesiveness, but lower spreadability. These findings show FucoPol’s high performance as an emulsifier for olive oil/α-tocopherol, which are supported by an effective impact on the physicochemical and structural characteristics of the emulsions. Hence, this natural polysaccharide is a potential alternative to other emulsifiers.

Anti-aging skincare

Chapter

Jan 2023

Neem Oil or Almond Oil Nanoemulsions for Vitamin E Delivery: From Structural Evaluation to in vivo Assessment of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2022
INT J NANOMED

Purpose: Vitamin E (VitE) may be classified in "the first line of defense" against the formation of reactive oxygen species. Its inclusion in nanoemulsions (NEs) is a promising alternative to increase its bioavailability. The aim of this study was to compare O/W NEs including VitE based on Almond or Neem oil, showing themselves antioxidant properties. The potential synergy of the antioxidant activities of oils and vitamin E, co-formulated in NEs, was explored. Patients and methods: NEs have been prepared by sonication and deeply characterized evaluating size, ζ-potential, morphology (TEM and SAXS analyses), oil nanodroplet feature, and stability. Antioxidant activity has been evaluated in vitro, in non-tumorigenic HaCaT keratinocytes, and in vivo through fluorescence analysis of C. elegans transgenic strain. Moreover, on healthy human volunteers, skin tolerability and anti-inflammatory activity were evaluated by measuring the reduction of the skin erythema induced by the application of a skin chemical irritant (methyl-nicotinate). Results: Results confirm that Vitamin E can be formulated in highly stable NEs showing good antioxidant activity on keratinocyte and on C. elegans. Interestingly, only Neem oil NEs showed some anti-inflammatory activity on healthy volunteers. Conclusion: From the obtained results, Neem over Almond oil is a more appropriate candidate for further studies on this application.

Almond oil O/W nanoemulsions: Potential application for ocular delivery

Article

May 2022
J DRUG DELIV SCI TEC

In recent years, nanotechnology has allowed to formulate different ophthalmic vehicles to extend residence time in the eye after topical application, decreasing the number of instillations and improving patient's compliance. The goal of this study was to develop an oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions (NEs), composed of almond oil as the inner oil phase and Hepes or Palitzsch buffer as the outer aqueous phase, stabilized by non-ionic surfactants (Tween 20 or Tween 80). By modifying the oil/surfactant/water ratio, the best nanoemulsion formulations in terms of chemical-physical characteristics for ocular application were selected. In particular, hydrodynamic diameter, size distribution, ζ-potential, microviscosity and polarity of the internal oil phase, along with pH, osmolarity, turbidity, stability in simulated eye tears and rheological properties were evaluated. Furthermore, mucoadhesive properties of selected samples have been measured by turbidimetric assay and mucin particle method to establish their potential interaction with mucin in simulated tear fluid. Finally, cytotoxicity studies using the Alamar Blue reduction assay in Y-79 (Human retinoblastoma cell line) cells have been performed, anticipating their compatibility and suitability for ocular administration.

Systematic Review on the Effectiveness of Essential and Carrier Oils as Skin Penetration Enhancers in Pharmaceutical Formulations

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2022
Sci Pharm

Oils, including essential oils and their constituents, are widely reported to have penetration enhancement activity and have been incorporated into a wide range of pharmaceutical formulations. This study sought to determine if there is an evidence base for the selection of appropriate oils for particular applications and compare their effectiveness across different formulation types. A systematic review of the data sources, consisting of Google Scholar, EMBASE, PubMed, Medline, and Scopus, was carried out and, following screening and quality assessment, 112 articles were included within the analysis. The research was classified according to the active pharmaceutical ingredient, dosage form, in vitro/in vivo study, carrier material(s), penetration enhancers as essential oils, and other chemical enhancers. The review identified four groups of oils used in the formulation of skin preparations; in order of popularity, these are terpene-type essential oils (63%), fatty acid-containing essential oils (29%) and, finally, 8% of essential oils comprising Vitamin E derivatives and miscellaneous essential oils. It was concluded that terpene essential oils may have benefits over the fatty acid-containing oils, and their incorporation into advanced pharmaceutical formulations such as nanoemulsions, microemulsions, vesicular systems, and transdermal patches makes them an attractive proposition to enhance drug permeation through the skin.

Positioning Portugal in the Context of World Almond Production and Research

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2023

Almond production plays a very significant role in the Portuguese socio-economic context, especially with regard to dried fruit production. Indeed, Portugal is the third largest almond producer in Europe, producing 41,450 t of almonds in shells in 2021. This is due to its edaphoclimatic conditions that are favorable for its production. Traditionally, the north region of “Trás-os-Montes” has stood out as one of the most relevant for Portuguese almond production and bioeconomy. However, production in “Alentejo“ and “Beira Interior” will surpass the northern region in a short time as a result of the installation of new orchards. Despite its importance, there is a need to uncover genetic traits underlying phenotypic desirable traits needed to improve yield and quality but also cope and mitigate the impacts of climate change on their production. To address this, it is important to characterize the genetic resources available and the germplasm collection since they are crucial players for conservation and breeding initiatives. In this review, we describe the main cultivars of almonds cultivated in Portugal and their productive challenges. We also provide an overview of the main genetic resources available, breeding goals, and accomplishments regarding their improvement towards biotic and abiotic constraints in both Portugal and the rest of the world.

Typification of the scientific names of the common almond Prunus dulcis and its wild relative P. webbii (Rosaceae, Prunoideae)

Article

Jun 2023

The typifications of the scientific names of the common almond Amygdalus dulcis (≡ Prunus dulcis ; Rosaceae, Prunoideae) and the Mediterranean almond tree A. webbii (≡ P. webbii ), a wild relative of the common almond, are discussed. Amygdalus dulcis is neotypified on a specimen at VAL recently collected from a living tree of the variety of almond most similar to the original description. Amygdalus webbii is lectotypified on a specimen preserved at P collected by Pierre Martin Rémi Aucher‐Éloy.

The Science of Selecting Excipients for Dermal Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2023

Self-emulsification is considered a formulation technique that has proven capacity to improve oral drug delivery of poorly soluble drugs by advancing both solubility and bioavailability. The capacity of these formulations to produce emulsions after moderate agitation and dilution by means of water phase addition provides a simplified method to improve delivery of lipophilic drugs, where prolonged drug dissolution in the aqueous environment of the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract is known as the rate-limiting step rendering decreased drug absorption. Additionally, spontaneous emulsification has been reported as an innovative topical drug delivery system that enables successful crossing of mucus membranes as well as skin. The ease of formulation generated by the spontaneous emulsification technique itself is intriguing due to the simplified production procedure and unlimited upscaling possibilities. However, spontaneous emulsification depends solely on selecting excipients that complement each other in order to create a vehicle aimed at optimizing drug delivery. If excipients are not compatible or unable to spontaneously transpire into emulsions once exposed to mild agitation, no self-emulsification will be achieved. Therefore, the generalized view of excipients as inert bystanders facilitating delivery of an active compound cannot be accepted when selecting excipients needed to produce self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDSs). Hence, this review describes the excipients needed to generate dermal SEDDSs as well as self-double-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SDEDDSs); how to consider combinations that complement the incorporated drug(s); and an overview of using natural excipients as thickening agents and skin penetration enhancers.

ANALISIS SILICO PADA SENYAWA AKTIF PRUNUS DULCIS SEBAGAI TERAPI DERMATITIS ATOPIK: In Silico Analysis of Prunus dulcis Active Compound as Therapy of Atopic Dermatitis

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2023

ABSTRAK Dermatitis atopik (DA) merupakan penyakit inflamasi kronis yang ditandai xerosis, eczema kronis dan pruritus akibat paparan berulang dengan antigen. Minyak almond berasal dari buah almond (prunus dulcis) merupakan emolien yang kaya akan senyawa aktif asam lemak esensial, vitamin dan mineral lain yang bermanfaat untuk menjaga kesehatan kulit. Tujuan dari studi ini untuk mengevaluasi kandungan minyak almond dengan analisis in silico pada pengobatan DA. Senyawa aktif prunus dulcis diekstraksi dari database knapsack. Format simplified molecular input line entry system (SMILE) diambil dari basis data pubchem. Potensi perbaikan sawar, anti eczema, antiinflamasi dan antipruritus menggunakan pass server. Mekanisme molekuler senyawa aktif tubuh manusia diambil dari search tool for interacting chemicals (STITCH), diprediksi secara eksperimental, dianalisis komputasional dan analisis pathway dengan perangkat lunak cytoscape. Terdapat 17 senyawa aktif pada Prunus dulcis. Potensi tinggi sebagai antieczema diprediksi secara komputasi dan uji laboratorium, sedangkan potensi antiinflamasi, perbaikan sawar kulit dan antihistamin dalam uji laboratorium tidak terbukti, namun secara komputasional diprediksi efektif. Oleic acid dengan rerata kemungkinan aktif (Pa) 0,838 sebagai senyawa tertinggi antieczema. Minyak almond dipertimbangkan sebagai terapi topikal tambahan DA karena meningkatkan penetrasi terapi topikal lain, namun perlu diatur frekuensi pemakaiannya untuk mencegah keparahan gejala DA. ABSTRACT Atopic dermatitis (AD) is chronic inflammatory disease characterized by xerosis, chronic eczema and pruritus due to repeated exposure to antigens. Almond oil derived from almonds (Prunus dulcis) is emollient that rich in active compounds of essential fatty acids, vitamins and other minerals that are beneficial for maintaining healthy skin. Aim of this study to evaluate the content of almond oil by in silico analysis as treatment of AD. The active compound prunus dulcis was extracted from the knapsack database. The simplified molecular input line entry system (SMILE) format is taken from the pubchem database. Potential barrier repair, anti eczema, anti-inflammatory and antipruritic using pass server. The molecular mechanism of the active compounds in human body was taken from the search tool for interacting chemicals (STITCH), predicted experimentally, computationally analyzed and pathway using cytoscape software. There are 17 active compounds in Prunus dulcis. High potency as antieczema predicted computationally and in laboratory tests, while the potential for anti-inflammatory, skin barrier repair and antihistamines in laboratory tests was not proven, but computationally predicted to be effective. Oleic acid with average active probability (Pa) of 0.838 the highest antieczema compound. Almond oil considered as adjunct topical therapy for AD because increases the penetration of other topical therapies, but need to adjust the frequency of use to prevent the severity of AD symptoms.

Development of Emulsions Containing L-Ascorbic Acid and α-Tocopherol Based on the Polysaccharide FucoPol: Stability Evaluation and Rheological and Texture Assessment

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2023

The main function of vitamin C, as an antioxidant, is to combat free radicals and prevent premature aging, smoothing wrinkles and expression lines. In addition, it acts directly on depigmentation and prevention of blemishes on the skin. In this study, natural oils (30 wt.%) and α-tocopherol (2.5 wt.%) containing oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions stabilized with the bacterial fucose-rich polysaccharide FucoPol were formulated, adding L-ascorbic acid as an antioxidant. The optimized formulations were obtained with 8.0 wt.% L-ascorbic acid for the Olea europaea oil formulation (C1) with a ƞ value of 2.71 Pa.s (measured at shear rate of 2.3 s−1) and E24 = 96% and with 15 wt.% L-ascorbic acid for the Prunus amygdalus dulcis formulation (C2) with a ƞ value of 5.15 Pa.s (at a shear rate of 2.3 s−1) and E24 = 99%. The stability of the FucoPol-based formulations was investigated over 45 days at 4 °C, 20 °C, and 30 °C. The results showed that all formulations maintained the organoleptic characteristics, with pH variations (5.7–6.8 for C1, and 5.5–6.03 for C2) within the regulations for cosmetic products (4 ≤ pH ≤ 7). The accelerated stability tests proved the formulations’ stability at 4 °C with EI = 95% for C1 and EI = 100% for C2. The rheological assessment demonstrated that the formulation presents a shear-thinning and liquid-like behavior. Regarding textural parameters, formulations C1 and C2 displayed an increase in firmness and consistency with similar spreadability during the shelf life. These findings further demonstrate FucoPol’s functional properties, acting as an emulsifier and stabilizer polysaccharide in cosmetic formulations containing L-ascorbic acid.

Herbal Remedies in Cosmeceuticals Formulation: A Review on Nepalese Perspectives

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2022

Introduction: The beauty product preparation from natural ingredients reaches is historical. People of rural area where the practice of modern cosmetic products are not accessible, they mostly use and depend upon the locally available ingredients in their own formulations. The inclusion of extracts in topical formulations can minimize the skin damage of oxidative stress, which has been associated with delaying the aging process. Therapeutic benefits by addition of plant-based active ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acid, retinoic acid, ferulic acid, ascorbic acid, and coenzyme Q10 are common. Natural preservatives are also in priority but it is equally important to carry research for their efficacy and assurance. Methods: An independent approach was used to conduct the literature review. Major well-known bibliometric information sources studied are the Web of Science, Scopus, Mendeley and Google Scholar. Several keywords like name of plants, skin whitening, anti-acne, herbal cosmetics, Ayurvedic herbs, skin cancer, moisturizer etc were chosen to obtain a large range of papers to be analyzed. Local news papers, research reports and official websites were also studied. Results: The results obtained from this review showed that, there are numerous herbs which are effective and safe for cosmetic purpose. Herbal based cosmetic factories are started in Nepal but their research part not much strong and found frequently lead by non-pharmacist or non-chemist human resources. Herbs are rich in vitamins, phenolics and carotenoids which have mainly anti-aging, revitalizing and rejuvenating properties. Herbs have vitamins, saponins and flavanoids which supply various nutrients to hair and help to darkening of hair. Different literatures available prove that the heavy metals are also mixed in large quantity in cosmetics found in Nepalese market. There is an immediate need to execute strong guidelines regarding the quality of cosmetic products in Nepal. Conclusions: The current review on herbal cosmetics focuses on the natural sources of cosmetics, their medicinal benefits, mechanism of action, key chemical constituents and their advantages along with safety.

Evaluation of the effect of fish oil in the prevention of pressure ulcers in patients admitted to the intensive care unit

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2023

Introduction Today, the anti-inflammatory property of fish oil is used to heal wounds, but this property has not been investigated to prevent the occurrence of pressure ulcers. So the research team decided to evaluate this feature as well. Materials and methods This clinical trial study was performed on 102 patients admitted to the intensive care unit located at Besat Hospital in 2020. Samples were assigned to three groups control, placebo, and intervention using permutation blocks. Before the intervention, the questionnaire of demographic and clinical variables, level of consciousness, Braden scale, and short nutritional status questionnaire was completed by the main researcher. In the intervention group, in addition to routine care, 2 cc of fish oil was gently rubbed into the sacrum once a day for 5 days. The same intervention was repeated in the placebo group, with the difference that soybean oil was used instead of fish oil, and the control group received only the usual care. The daily evaluation of pressure ulcers by one of the ICU nurses lasted up to 6 days. Results The results showed that there was a significant difference in the incidence of pressure ulcers in the three groups (P = 0.043). The risk of pressure ulcers in the control group was 11.9 and 2.7 times higher than the fish oil group and placebo group (P = 0.023) & (P = 0.132). Conclusion The use of topical fish oil can be effective in preventing pressure ulcers.

Chemical Profile and Biological Effects of an Herbal Mixture for the Development of an Oil-in-Water Cream

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2023

Three individual hydroalcoholic extracts derived from Hamamelis virginiana leaves, Krameria lappacea root, Salix alba bark, and the resulting herbal mixture (HM) were assessed for the phytochemical profile as well as for antibacterial and cytotoxic potential. The chemical composition of the individual extracts and of their mixture was analyzed by chromatographical (LC-MS) and spectrophotometrical methods. The antimicrobial properties were evaluated by using the agar-well diffusion and the broth microdilution assays, whereas the potential cytotoxicity was investigated on human keratinocyte cell line by MTT method and apoptosis test. The HM composition revealed important amounts of valuable polyphenolic compounds provided from the individual extracts, having synergistic biological effects. All tested extracts displayed in vitro antimicrobial properties, with a significantly higher efficacy noticed for the HM when tested against Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, none of the tested extracts was responsible for in vitro cytotoxicity against the human keratinocytes in the selected concentration range. Furthermore, the HM was included in an oil-in-water cream for the nonpharmacological treatment of seborrheic dermatitis, developed and optimized by using a QbD approach. A D-optimal experimental plan with four factors that varied on two levels was used to investigate the effect of the quantitative variation of the formulation factors (emulsifier, co-emulsifier, thickening agent, oily phase ratio) on the characteristics of the cream in terms of firmness, consistency, adhesiveness, stringiness, spreadability, and viscosity. Based on the experimental results, an optimal formulation containing 2.5% emulsifier and 20% oily phase was prepared and analyzed. The obtained results showed appropriate quality characteristics of this novel cream, which may be used in the future to manage the associated symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis.

Development of a facial biocosmetic containing levan, almond and cinnamon oils with antioxidant and moisturizing properties

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2022

The addition of natural molecules such as microbial exopolysaccharides in cosmetics is a trend in the current market, adding properties and improving the product quality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a facial biocosmetic formulation containing microbial levan, almond and cinnamon oils. The centroid-simplex design was used to evaluate the spreadability, antioxidant activity, moisture retention capacity and viscosity of formulations. Since it is a facial cosmetic, the formulation was optimized using the intermediate viscosity. The optimized formulation with intermediate viscosity was 75% (0.75 g) levan and 25% (2 mL) almond oil, without the addition of cinnamon oil. This formulation was submitted to 90 days under different exposure conditions, and the results showed a spreadability of 805 mm2, pH and density ideal for the facial area, with an antioxidant activity of 72%, hydration capacity of 100.3%, viscosity with no-Newtonian behavior, and normal organoleptic properties when stored at room and low temperature. The formulation with levan associated with almond oil showed potential for application in the facial area, with high antioxidant properties, moisturizing intermediate viscosity and stability for 90 days. The utilization of centroid-simplex design allowed the development of a biocosmetic with desired characteristics just by adjusting the concentrations of the bioactive.

Formulation and organoleptic evaluation of Poly Herbal Cream of Punica, Neem, Carrot & Jamun as Active Ingredients

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Nov 2022

Providing antibacterial properties to denim and non-denim trousers with encapsulation technology

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2022
INT J CLOTH SCI TECH

Purpose The aim was to prepare antibacterial microcapsules and transferred to denim and non-denim (canvas) trousers. Design/methodology/approach For this purpose, lavender and sweet almond oil as active agents were encapsulated with ethylcellulose shell with a spray dryer method and carried out capsule optimization studies. Findings The particle diameter of the capsules ranged between 0.61 and 8.76 µm, SPAN value was 1.608 and the mean particle size was 4 µm. The mass yields of capsules ranged between 35.0 and 75.4 %w/w. Denim fabrics were treated with prepared capsules by exhaustion and spraying methods. It was seen that microcapsules provided a reduction of bacteria by over 97% against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and the fabrics still showed an antibacterial effect after five washing cycles. Originality/value When application methods were compared, the spraying method was found to be more sustainable process than exhaustion and could be used as an alternative for reducing energy consumption and capsules could provide antibacterial properties to the fabrics.

The use of almond oil in skin care products for newborns

Article

Jan 2022

I.I. Ryumina

A holistic approach to pressure almond oil production

Article

Jun 2022
BRIT FOOD J

Purpose Almond oil is a gourmet product with functional food characteristics owing to its high almond oil content and high nutritional quality. One of the primary constraints on its production is the lack of information regarding oil extraction from an industrial perspective, including by-products generation. Design/methodology/approach The performance, quality and composition characteristics were analyzed, both from the physical-chemical and organoleptic point of view, of the almond oils obtained through two pressure systems: screw press (SP) and hydraulic press (HP). To ensure the success of almond oil production at a commercial scale, in this work, an economic study of the costs of the process was carried out as a complementary part of optimizing the production of virgin almond oil. Findings Physicochemical analysis showed little difference, just in total sterols (HP 2069, SP 2153) and some quality indexes (K232: HP 1.63, SP 2.13; peroxide index: HP 1.74, SP 0.95), in contrast to sensory analysis. Consumer judges valued roasted almond oil extracted using a HP the best. The production cost of the oil extracted with the SP was €23.05/l. With the HP it was €25.13/l, owing to the lower oil yield in the extraction. The most expensive treatment was for the HP with toasted almonds (€27.76/l), owing to the greater need for processing. Originality/value Production costs derived from the method used have received little attention. This paper presents data that allow for the transference between academic and industrial ambit and their economic viability.

The protective role of almond and thyme in carbonated beverage-induced osteoporosis in male albino rats

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2022
Int J Health Sci

Osteoporosis is a common health problem distinguished by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, thus increase bone fragility and fracture. Nutrition possesses a critical role in reducing osteoporosis risks among its impact on fragility factors, particularly on bone mass development and maintenance. The current study was carried out to assess and compare the protective effect of almond and thyme against osteoporosis induced by excessive intake of carbonated beverage (Coca-Cola) in rats. Forty-eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: G1, control negative fed balanced diet; G2, control positive fed balanced diet and received Coca-Cola orally by gavage (20 ml/day) (CB); G3, almond powder (5g/100g diet) (A); G4, thyme powder (5g/100g diet) (T) and G5, (CB) +(A); 6, (CB)+(T)). Almond and thyme supplementation significantly reduced the development of osteoporosis as well as inflammation and oxidative stress. Our findings show that almond and thyme can effectively reduce soft drink-induced bone loss and could be used as dietary supplements to prevent bone resorption and osteoporosis.

Herbal Remedies in Cosmeceuticals Formulation

Article

Full-text available

May 2022
Afr J Health Sci

Ameliorative Effect of Almond Oil Against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Mice Via Downregulation of TLR4 Gene Expression, Lowering NF-κB and TNF-α Levels

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Jan 2021

Structure-Based discovery of Selective CYP17A1 Inhibitors for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Treatment

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2021

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignancy found in men and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is defined by PCa cells that stop responding to hormone therapy. Cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (CYP17A1) plays a critical role in the biosynthesis of androgens in humans. Androgen signaling cascade is a principal survival pathway for prostate cancer cells, and androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) remains the key treatment for patients marked with locally advanced and metastatic PCa cells. Available synthetic drugs have been reported for toxicity, drug resistance, and decreasing efficacy. Thus, the design of novel selective inhibitors of CYP17A1 lyase would help circumvent associated side effects and improve pharmacological activities. Therefore, we employed structural bioinformatics techniques via molecular docking; molecular mechanics generalized born surface area (MM-GBSA), molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and pharmacokinetic study to identify putative CYP17A1 lyase inhibitors. The results of the computational investigation showed that the Prunus dulcis compounds exhibited higher binding energy than the clinically approved abiraterone acetate. The stability of the ligand with the highest binding affinity (Quercetin-3-o-rutinoside) was observed during MD simulation for 10 ns. Quercetin-3-o-rutinoside was observed to be stable within the active site of CYP17A1Lyase throughout the simulation period. The result of the pharmacokinetic study revealed that, these compounds are promising therapeutic agents. Collectively, this study proposed that bioactive compounds from P. dulcis may be potential selective inhibitors of CYP17A1Lyase in CRPC treatments.

The effect of pollen type on the morphological traits,level of fatty acids, oils and some progeny elements from a controlled cross of almond cultivar Shahrood 12

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Nov 2021

Fatty Acid Composition, Antioxidant, and in vitro Anti-inflammatory Activity of Five Cold-Pressed Prunus Seed Oils, and Their Anti-biofilm Effect Against Pathogenic Bacteria

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Full-text available

Nov 2021

Background/Aim: Sweet almond (Prunus amygdalus dulcis) oil is one of the most famous cold-pressed seed oils. However, other species of Prunus can provide oils with healthy properties. We analyzed the fatty acid (FA) composition, as well as the antioxidant, the in vitro anti-inflammatory properties, and the antibiofilm activity of five commercial vegetable cold-pressed seed oils of apricot, peach, plum, cherry, and black cherry. Methods: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry was performed for the analysis of FAs The antioxidant property of the oils was carried using different tests [2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH assay)], Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), and the 2, 20 -azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS·+). The denaturation assay performed on bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used to evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. The anti-biofilm activity was assessed using five pathogenic strains, namely, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, through the crystal violet test and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)−2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), used to evaluate the metabolism of the microbial cells present within the biofilm. Results: Oleic acid and linoleic acids were the most abundant FAs. Black cherry seed oil exhibited the best antioxidant activity, but in general, the amount of oil needed to inhibit the activity of 1 ml of DPPH assay at 50% did not exceed 10 μg. The extract concentration for the 50% inhibition of the denaturation of the protein (IC50) did not exceed 4.4 μg. Linoleic and stearic acids affected the antioxidant activity of the oils; oleic acid, linolenic, and palmitoleic acids exhibited beneficial effects in preserving the BSA denaturation, as shown by the correlation data. The oils were able to inhibit the biofilm formation of the pathogens (up to 71.40% of inhibition) as well as act against their mature biofilm, although with different strengths, with values up to 61.54%. Concurrently, they also acted on the pathogen metabolism. Conclusion: The oils represent a valuable source of some healthy FAs. They showed potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in vitro activity, in addition, their potential effect on the biofilm can offer important ideas for research and reflection on their use as functional foods and/or ingredients.

The effect of pollen type on the morphological traits,level of fatty acids, oils and some progeny elements from a controlled cross of almond cultivar Shahrood 12

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2021
J FOOD SCI TECH MYS

Almond (Prunus dulcis L.) is one of the most important nut fruits and products, which is commercially grown in vast areas of the world. Almond kernel contains valuable compounds including vitamins, carbohydrates (fiber and soluble sugars), protein, fatty acids and mineral salts. Considering the importance of fatty acids in almonds. this study investigated the fatty acid content of pollen and seed parents and offspring of Shahrood 12 with selective pollinizers using Gas chromatography (GC). Also oil extraction by Soxhlet Elements were measured by atomic absorption method in parents and progeny of crosses. Some quantitative and qualitative traits related to dried fruit and almond kernels were also analyzed. The results showed that the highest amount of kernels weight in progeny obtained from crosses was related to free pollination. The results showed that the highest amount of oleic acid (18: 1) and linoleic acid (18: 2) was observed in MSK84 (75.51%) and shahrood14 (19.20%) pollinizers, respectively. Also, the highest amount of oleic acid with 72% was obtained in the offspring of Shahrood 12 (♀) × Shahrood 14(♂). The maximum amount of linoleic acid was obtained with 18.40% in the offspring resulting from Shahrood 12 (♀) × MSK84 (♂). On the other hand, the highest amount of palmitic acid (9.5%) was found in the progeny obtained from open pollination of Shahrood 12. These three types of fatty acids have the highest percentage among the seven fatty acids measured in the almond kernel. The highest amount of oil was obtained in progeny of mother Shahrood 12 with 54.42% MSK82 and 38.32% in MSK83 also The results showed that among the different genotypes Rate of oil (38.32-54.42%), Iron (85.48-138.53 mg / 1000 g), Copper (20.32-47.48 mg / 1000 g), Manganese (18.04 -44.67 mg / 1000 g).

Avrupa Farmakopesinde Bulunan Sabit Yağlar ve Aromaterapide Kullanımları

Chapter

Full-text available

Aug 2021

Ilker Demirbolat

Aromaterapi, hastalıkları önleyici, tamamlayıcı ve tedavi edici amaçlarla uçucu yağların terapötik etkilerinden faydalanan bütünsel bir terapi yöntemidir. Aromaterapide kullanılan uçucu yağların büyük bir bölümü doğrudan kullanıldığında tahriş edici özellikte olduğu için uygun bir taşıyıcı yağ (sabit yağ) içerisinde seyreltilerek uygulanması gerekmektedir. Taşıyıcı olarak kullanılacak olan yağın seçimi, türü ve kalitesi en az uçucu yağın seçimi kadar önemlidir. Farmakopeler bu bağlamda sabit yağları ve kalite kriterlerini içeren monografları barındırmaktadırlar. İlgili yazıda Avrupa Farmakopesinde bulunan soğuk sıkım sabit yağların kalite kriterleri ve terapotik etkileri özetlenmiştir.

Formulation and organoleptic evaluation of Poly Herbal Cream of Punica, Neem, Carrot & Jamun as Active Ingredients

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2021

Assuming that herbal preparation is better with fewer side effects than synthetics, natural treatments are more effective than allopathy in terms of side effects for better human body healing. Herbal products have a growing demand in the world market, and the plants have been reported in the literature as having various pharmacological activities such as anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic. The purpose of this study was to develop anti-aging poly-herbal cream by mixing the extract of Punica leaf, Neem Oil, Jamun powder, Carrot powder as the main ingredient, and then creams were developed based on the anti-oxidant ability of herbal extracts and performed their evaluation study. Punica granatam leaves were shade dried and extracted using the Soxhlet method with different solvents such as n-hexane, benzene, and alcohol. Fine extract powder was collected and removed distilled water thoroughly. The cream was formulated into different concentrations, namely F1, F2, F3, and F4. Similar types of research with similar components have been reported, but in this experiment, the formulation is different, and this work is kept cost-efficient and straightforward; it's an attempt to reduce few components and prepare cream and evaluate its potential. According to The International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use ICH guidelines, the cream was stable during stability studies, and F3 turned out to be a better formulation than the other three.

‫The effect of pollen type on the morphological traits,level of fatty acids, oils and some progeny elements from a controlled cross of almond cultivar Shahrood 12

Article

Aug 2021

Study of plant-based cosmeceuticals and skin care

Article

Jul 2023
S AFR J BOT

Plantas do Algarve com aplicação em Cosmética

Thesis

Full-text available

Dec 2016

João Rafael Gonçalves

Scientific development in the field of Cosmetics has lead its products to a borderline, summarized by the designation cosmeceutical (a fusion between cosmetics and pharmaceutical). The regulatory authorities do not recognize the designation above because, as they declare, a product which claims pharmacological properties must be classified as a medicine. It is clear, however, the growth of scientific content on the cosmetics development. This increase represents an opportunity to Pharmacists activity, not only regarding the cosmetics development, but also the safety monitoring in cosmetics. Furthermore, consumers and Health Authorities have been paying more attention to safety. To consumers, the major concern goes to synthetic active ingredients, what which justifies the higher demand on cosmetics that contains natural active ingredients, perceived by the consumers as safer. Although the specific segment of natural cosmetics shows the biggest increase, the Cosmetics and Personal Hygiene market experiences significant economic growths year after year. Following what’s been mentioned previously, this monograph pretends to: i) find out the botanical species with cosmetics’ applications through a scientific literature review; ii) identify amongst the botanical species with cosmetics’ uses those which grow in Algarve (South of Portugal); iii) associate the development of cosmetics products with a strategy of territorial rescue on Algarve’s countryside affected by desertification; iv) enhance pharmaceuticals’ education and profession value. Key-words: Cosmetics, Botanical extracts, Algarve, Territorial rescue, Pharmacist.

Detection of Hazelnut and Almond Adulteration in Olive Oil: An Approach by qPCR

Article

Full-text available

May 2023
MOLECULES

Virgin olive oil (VOO), characterized by its unique aroma, flavor, and health benefits, is subject to adulteration with the addition of oils obtained from other edible species. The consumption of adulterated olive oil with nut species, such as hazelnut or almond, leads to health and safety issues for consumers, due to their high allergenic potential. To detect almond and hazelnut in olive oil, several amplification systems have been analyzed by qPCR assay with a SYBR Green post-PCR melting curve analysis. The systems selected were Cora1F2/R2 and Madl, targeting the genes coding the allergenic protein Cor a 1 (hazelnut) and Pru av 1 (almond), respectively. These primers revealed adequate specificity for each of the targeted species. In addition, the result obtained demonstrated that this methodology can be used to detect olive oil adulteration with up to 5% of hazelnut or almond oil by a single qPCR assay, and with a level as low as 2.5% by a nested-qPCR assay. Thus, the present research has shown that the SYBR-based qPCR assay can be a rapid, precise, and accurate method to detect adulteration in olive oil.

Almond (Amygdalus communis L.) Kernel Protein: A Review on the Extraction, Functional Propertiesand Nutritional Value

Article

Mar 2023
FOOD RES INT

Almond (Amygdalus communis L.) kernel, a source of nutrients in many traditional diets, is being used more frequently as a nutritious snack and component. It is well known that almond kernels are a protein-rich food. Compared to the amino acid profile recommended by FAO, almond kernel protein is an ideal protein with perfect balance of amino acids. It also has a variety of better functional properties such as solubility, emulsifying ability, oil absorption capacity and foaming ability. pH and ion strength have significant influences on these functional properties. Furthermore, almond kernel protein is easily digested and absorbed by the human body. So almond kernel protein can be used as a high-quality protein resource. This review describes the techniques for extracting almond kernel protein, as well as its functional properties, nutritional worth, and applications. The purpose of this review is to provide ideas for the effective use of almond kernel protein and the creation of related products.

A novel carbohydrate antigen 125 electrochemical sensor based on sweet almond oil organo-hydrogels

Article

Apr 2023
MATER CHEM PHYS

First report on quality and purity assessment of sweet almond oil in Brazilian body oils by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

Article

Jan 2023
J MASS SPECTROM

Sweet almond oil is a raw material with high-added value used in different products. Then, the aim of this study is to evaluate the quality and purity of 10 body oils based on sweet almond oils currently available in the Brazilian market. Fatty acid composition and triacylglycerol (TAG) profile were determined by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and atmospheric solids analysis probe mass spectrometry (ASAP-MS), respectively. The authenticity of samples was assessed using an analytical curve equation. Soybean oil was chosen as the adulterant because it is the cheapest vegetable oil commercialized in Brazil. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) in conjunction with ASAP-MS classified product samples according to the type of vegetable oil (soybean and sweet almond oils). The addition of soybean oil (8.79% to 99.70%) was confirmed in samples. However, only two samples stated in their label the presence of soybean oil as an ingredient. These findings highlight the need for better oversight by regulatory bodies to ensure that consumers acquire high quality and authentic products based on equally high quality and purity of sweet almond oils.

A New Method for Calculating Protein Content and Determining Appropriate Protein Levels in Foods

Article

Jan 2022

Hydrolysis of Edible Oils by Fungal Lipases: An Effective Tool to Produce Bioactive Extracts with Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potential

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2022

Hydrolysis of olive, rapeseed, linseed, almond, peanut, grape seed and menhaden oils was performed with commercial lipases of Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus oryzae, Rhizopus niveus, Rhizomucor miehei and Candida rugosa. In chromogenic plate tests, olive, rapeseed, peanut and linseed oils degraded well even after 2 h of incubation, and the R. miehei, A. niger and R. oryzae lipases exhibited the highest overall action against the oils. Gas chromatography analysis of vegetable oils hydrolyzed by R. miehei lipase revealed about 1.1 to 38.4-fold increases in the concentrations of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and α-linolenic acids after the treatment, depending on the fatty acids and the oil. The major polyunsaturated fatty acids produced by R. miehei lipase treatment from menhaden oil were linoleic, α-linolenic, hexadecanedioic, eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, with yields from 12.02 to 52.85 µg/mL reaction mixture. Folin–Ciocalteu and ferric reducing power assays demonstrated improved antioxidant capacity for most tested oils after the lipase treatment in relation to the concentrations of some fatty acids. Some lipase-treated and untreated samples of oils, at 1.25 mg/mL lipid concentration, inhibited the growth of food-contaminating bacteria. The lipid mixtures obtained can be reliable sources of extractable fatty acids with health benefits.

Impact of Drug Metabolism/Pharmacokinetics and their Relevance Upon Traditional Medicine-based anti-COVID-19 Drug Research

Article

Apr 2022
CURR DRUG METAB

Background: The representative anti-COVID-19 herbs, i.e. Poria cocos, Pogostemon, Prunus, and Glycyrrhiza plants, are commonly used in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, a pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. Diverse medicinal compounds with favorable anti-COVID-19 activities are abundant in these plants, and their unique pharmacological/pharmacokinetic properties are being revealed. However, the current trends of drug metabolism/pharmacokinetic (DMPK) investigations of anti-COVID-19 herbs have not been systematically summarized. Methods: Here, the latest awareness, as well as the perception gaps of DMPK attributes, in the anti-COVID-19 drug development and clinical usage was elaborated and critically commented. Results: The extracts and compounds of P. cocos, Pogostemon, Prunus, and Glycyrrhiza plants show distinct and diverse absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADME/T) properties. The complicated herb-herb interactions (HHIs) and herb-drug interactions (HDIs) of anti-COVID-19 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herb pair/formula dramatically influence the PK/pharmacodynamic (PD) performance of compounds thereof, which may inspire researchers to design innovative herbal/compound formulas for optimizing the therapeutic outcome of COVID-19 and related epidemic diseases. The ADME/T of some abundant compounds in anti-COVID-19 plants have been elucidated, but DMPK studies should be extended to more compounds of different medicinal parts, species and formulations, and would be facilitated by various omics platforms and computational analyses. Conclusion: In the framework of systems pharmacology and pharmacophylogeny, the DMPK knowledge base would promote the translation of bench findings into the clinical practice of anti-COVID-19, and speed up the anti-COVID-19 drug discovery and development.

Global Perspective of Plant-Based Cosmetic Industry and Possible Contribution of Sri Lanka to the Development of Herbal Cosmetics

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2022
EVID-BASED COMPL ALT

Thee global consumption of plant-based cosmetics has shown spectacular growth in recent years because of rising consumer awareness regarding the long-term health benefits of natural ingredients. As the global demand for herbal cosmetics increases, there are ample opportunities for Sri Lanka as a tropical Asian country to expand its productions and global exports along with its unique biodiversity and inherited traditional knowledge. erefore, the present review attempts to give an overview of the widely used medicinal plants in the global herbal cosmetic industry and strengths, challenges, and possible solutions for the development of the herbal cosmetic industry of Sri Lanka. Information was collected using electronic search (using Pub Med, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Scholar, TEEAL, and Scopus) for articles published in peer-reviewed journals, industrial reports, market surveys, and library search for local books on ethnobotany. Important plant-derived ingredients used in the global herbal cosmetic industry are essential oils, colorants, oils, fats, and waxes. e traditional usage of 108 medicinal plant species (belonging to 58 families) in cosmetic treatments was identified from the local books of Sri Lanka. Of these, 49 plant species were reported as new ingredients for the herbal cosmetic industry. However, the lack of ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological surveys to identify the cosmetic potential plants, insufficient or absence of continuous supply of raw materials for production in line with the existing demand, the lack of quality control of raw materials and finished cosmetic products, improper systematic cultivation systems for medicinal plants, poor postharvest practices, and the lack of innovations are major challenges encountered in Sri Lanka for the development of the herbal cosmetic industry. In conclusion, addressing these vital knowledge gaps is a timely requirement of the country for the sustainable development of the herbal cosmetic industry in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, assembling of the multidisciplinary cooperation of botanists, chemists, toxicologists, researchers, and biologists is crucial to analyze the interesting functional properties, efficacy, and effectiveness of documented medicinal plants with cosmetic potential.

Global Perspective of Plant-Based Cosmetic Industry and Possible Contribution of Sri Lanka to the Development of Herbal Cosmetics

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2022

*e global consumption of plant-based cosmetics has shown spectacular growth in recent years because of rising consumer awareness regarding the long-term health benefits of natural ingredients. As the global demand for herbal cosmetics increases, there are ample opportunities for Sri Lanka as a tropical Asian country to expand its productions and global exports along with its unique biodiversity and inherited traditional knowledge. *erefore, the present review attempts to give an overview of the widely used medicinal plants in the global herbal cosmetic industry and strengths, challenges, and possible solutions for the development of the herbal cosmetic industry of Sri Lanka. Information was collected using electronic search (using Pub Med, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Scholar, TEEAL, and Scopus) for articles published in peer-reviewed journals, industrial reports, market surveys, and library search for local books on ethnobotany. Important plant-derived ingredients used in the global herbal cosmetic industry are essential oils, colorants, oils, fats, and waxes. *e traditional usage of 108 medicinal plant species (belonging to 58 families) in cosmetic treatments was identified from the local books of Sri Lanka. Of these, 49 plant species were reported as new ingredients for the herbal cosmetic industry. However, the lack of ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological surveys to identify the cosmetic potential plants, insufficient or absence of continuous supply of raw materials for production in line with the existing demand, the lack of quality control of raw materials and finished cosmetic products, improper systematic cultivation systems for medicinal plants, poor postharvest practices, and the lack of innovations are major challenges encountered in Sri Lanka for the development of the herbal cosmetic industry. In conclusion, addressing these vital knowledge gaps is a timely requirement of the country for the sustainable development of the herbal cosmetic industry in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, assembling of the multi�disciplinary cooperation of botanists, chemists, toxicologists, researchers, and biologists is crucial to analyze the interesting functional properties, efficacy, and effectiveness of documented medicinal plants with cosmetic potential.

Global Perspective of Plant-Based Cosmetic Industry and Possible Contribution of Sri Lanka to the Development of Herbal Cosmetics

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2022
EVID-BASED COMPL ALT

e global consumption of plant-based cosmetics has shown spectacular growth in recent years because of rising consumer awareness regarding the long-term health benefits of natural ingredients. As the global demand for herbal cosmetics increases, there are ample opportunities for Sri Lanka as a tropical Asian country to expand its productions and global exports along with its unique biodiversity and inherited traditional knowledge. erefore, the present review attempts to give an overview of the widely used medicinal plants in the global herbal cosmetic industry and strengths, challenges, and possible solutions for the development of the herbal cosmetic industry of Sri Lanka. Information was collected using electronic search (using Pub Med, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Scholar, TEEAL, and Scopus) for articles published in peer-reviewed journals, industrial reports, market surveys, and library search for local books on ethnobotany. Important plant-derived ingredients used in the global herbal cosmetic industry are essential oils, colorants, oils, fats, and waxes. e traditional usage of 108 medicinal plant species (belonging to 58 families) in cosmetic treatments was identified from the local books of Sri Lanka. Of these, 49 plant species were reported as new ingredients for the herbal cosmetic industry. However, the lack of ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological surveys to identify the cosmetic potential plants, insufficient or absence of continuous supply of raw materials for production in line with the existing demand, the lack of quality control of raw materials and finished cosmetic products, improper systematic cultivation systems for medicinal plants, poor postharvest practices, and the lack of innovations are major challenges encountered in Sri Lanka for the development of the herbal cosmetic industry. In conclusion, addressing these vital knowledge gaps is a timely requirement of the country for the sustainable development of the herbal cosmetic industry in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, assembling of the multidisciplinary cooperation of botanists, chemists, toxicologists, researchers, and biologists is crucial to analyze the interesting functional properties, efficacy, and effectiveness of documented medicinal plants with cosmetic potential.

Şeftali Anacı Üzerine Aşılanmış Bazı Seçilmiş Badem Genotipleri ve Ferragnes Badem Çeşidinin Uyuşma Durumlarının Belirlenmesi

Article

Mar 2022

Çalışmada selekte edilen bazı ümitvar badem genotipleri (ISP 57 ve ISP 59) ile Ferragnes badem çeşidinin şeftali anacı üzerinde aşı uyuşma durumlarının erken dönemde belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bunun için aşılamadan 15, 30, 60, 90 ve 120 gün sonra aşı yerinden alınan kesitler, anatomik ve histolojik yönden incelenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre aşılamadan 15 gün sonra kallus oluşumunun başladığı, 30 gün sonra kallus oluşumunun daha da geliştiği ve kambiyal farklılaşmanın başladığı gözlenmiştir. Aşılamadan 90 gün sonra kambiyal devamlılığın sağlandığı ve yeni vasküler dokular ürettiği; 120 gün sonrasında ise tüm aşı kombinasyonlarında kambiyal farklılaşmaların devamlılık kazandığı ve aşı kaynaşmasının gelişmeye devam ettiği görülmüştür. Sonuçta tüm aşı kombinasyonlarında herhangi bir uyuşmazlık belirtisine rastlanmamıştır.

The Relevance of Discovering and Recovering the Biodiversity of Apulian Almond Germplasm by Means of Molecular and Phenotypic Markers

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2022

Almond cultivation has great traditional and economic relevance in Southern Italy, especially in the Apulia region, where almond trees feature an ample and ancient varietal richness. To contrast the loss of plant genetic erosion and to safeguard the available bioresources, as well as to reinforce the local production, the regional Re.Ge.Fru.P. project aimed to re-evaluate, identify, and characterize the Apulian almond germplasm that is still uncharacterized and not jet studied using a dual (genetic and morphological) approach. Collection was conducted in the regional territory of 187 among the most widespread and minor or marginalized genotypes that were molecularly fingerprinted by means of 18 nuclear microsatellites (simple sequence repeats, SSRs). The high number of scored alleles reflected the great level of diversification within the Apulian germplasm, as also confirmed by neighbor joining and structure analysis, that clearly distinguished different genotype clusters. The phenotypic characterization using 17 morphological and phenological descriptors mirrored the genetic results, revealing a high degree of variability. The morphological traits with the best discriminatory ability were nut ventral suture, shell softness and shape and petal color. This work emphasizes the importance of recovering the genetic variability of Apulian almond germplasm, and the need to promote added value and enhance the local agri-food economy.

Skin Barrier Repair

Chapter

Jan 2023

Moisturizers help regulate the skin barrier and continue to be the foundation of maintenance treatment for atopic dermatitis. Though a tremendous variety of moisturizers at difference price points exist on the market, studies do not show that one moisturizer or moisturizer ingredient is significantly better than another in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Differentiated approach to the prescription of dexpanthenol drugs in the practice of a pediatrician

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2022

The article provides information about the features of the structure, development and differentiated approach to the appointment of dexapanthenol preparations used for the prevention and complex treatment of skin diseases in children of wounded age. Regular use of leave-on cosmetic products including body creams and lotions is very high among children aged 0–4 years. However, in most cases, recommendations for the use of topical baby skin care medicinal products and/or cosmetic products are based not on scientific evidence, but on common sense, expert opinions, advertising, personal preferences of parents, pharmacists, dermatologists and/or pediatricians. For example, adsorbing properties of baby powders are insufficient, and after absorbing moisture, they actually turn to “urine compresses” that aggravate the epidermis injury. After swelling, the starch-containing powders represent an excellent growth media for pathogenic and opportunistic microflora. It is noted that only proper skin care for young children allows you to preserve its integrity and functional state. Special attention is paid to the preparations of the Bepanten® series in the form of cream and ointment, which meet all the criteria for topical products, and can be used for the prevention and treatment of skin diseases in young children, effectively protecting the skin from irritants, promoting its healing and recovery, having an anti-inflammatory effect, increasing its elasticity, elasticity and are recommended for use as a means of basic care. Their effectiveness has been repeatedly confirmed in the numerous domestic and foreign randomized controlled studies in new-born populations at different gestational ages, which provided the scientific justification for their common use in the ‘real-life’ practice of pediatricians, dermatologists and allergists.

Physicochemical Characteristics, Phenol Content and Fatty Acids of Bitter Almond Oil

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2021

In this study, physicochemical properties, thermal analyze, viscosity, phenol content and fatty acid composition were investigated. The plant material used comes from a wild plant growing in the wilaya of Béjaïa (Algeria). Almonds oil is considered functional foods for the presence of polyphenols compounds. The physicochemical parameters of the bitter almond oil were: the acidity values vary from 1.389 to 3.559%, peroxide index 19.538meq of active oxygen/ kg of oil, rancimat test PI=15h, total polyphenols= 0.137mg Gallic acid/mg bitter almond oil. The profile of the viscosity of the oils confirming that oil analyzed was Newtonian in nature. The TG/DTG curves showed bitter almond oil thermally stable consistent with the result of oxidative induction time. The fatty acid composition of bitter almond oil reveals the presence of the following fatty acids: gallic acid; hydrobenzoic acid. Catechic acid, isovanilic acid, vanilic acid, salicylic acid, myricetin, quercetin, anthrone and oxacil acid. Of which gallic acid is the majority. The physicochemical properties of the bitter almond oil indicated that it is promotes use in cosmetics and suggested its suitability for industrial purposes.

Investigation of the Effect of Prunus Amygdalus Amara on the Expression of some Genes of Apoptosis and Immortality in Breast Cancer Cells (MCF- 7)

Article

Dec 2021

Background Anti-cancer effects of almond nuts or oil have been approved, but there are a few pieces of research that have evaluated, in detail, almond and other seeds' effects on cancer. Therefore, in the present project, the aim was to explore the regulatory effect of the bitter almond extract (Prunus amygdalus Batsch) on the apoptotic and anti-cancer potency of MCF-7 cells. Objectives In the current experimental research, the Almond effect on MCF7 cells was evaluated by investigating the expression and the balance between Bcl-2, Bax genes to unmark the potential molecular mechanism. Methods For 24 and 48h, the MCF7 cells were treated with the bitter almond extract (187.5-3000 µg/mL). MTT assay was used to assess the viability, and Real-time-PCR was applied to determine the expression of Bax and Bcl-2, facing β-actin. Results Our results revealed a significant difference between different extract concentrations on the viability of MCF7 cell lines in 24 and 48 h; cell viability decreased time-dependently (P < 0.05). After 24 and 48h of extract facing MCF7 cells, the evaluated IC50 value was 3000 and 1500 µg/mL, respectively. Based on Real Time-PCR analysis, after 24 and 48 h, the mRNA levels of BCL-2 decreased by the extract, whereas BAX was in the MCF-7 cell line. Conclusion From the results, it can be concluded that bitter almond extract has anti-cancer properties that may influence the apoptotic pathways by regulating relative gene expression.

In vivo Skin Penetration, Radical Protection, and Structural Changes after Topical Application of a Herbal Oil Cream Compared to Topical Calcipotriol in Mild to Moderate Psoriasis

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2021

Background: The chronicity of psoriasis often requires continuous topical treatment. Materials and methods: Here, the radical protection of a cream containing various herbal oils was evaluated in vivo by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and its skin penetration by Raman microscopy in intact and barrier-disturbed skin. Changes in skin barrier properties were evaluated after 4 weeks of daily topical application using in vivo laser scanning microscopy (LSM) and transepidermal water loss in 26 healthy volunteers. A randomized, controlled, double-blind, three-arm parallel clinical study evaluated the efficacy of the herbal oil cream compared to a 0.05% calcipotriol-containing cream and to a vehicle cream, in 135 patients with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis with the change in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) from baseline to week 12 as the primary endpoint. Results: EPR spectroscopy disclosed a significantly higher radical formation in untreated than skin treated with the herbal oil cream (p ≤ 0.05). LSM measurements indicated a protective skin barrier effect in treated compared to untreated skin. In the clinical trial, the topical application of herbal oils showed a significant reduction of the PASI score compared to topical calcipotriol at week 12 (p = 0.016). The mean reduction in PASI was 49% for the herbal oil cream, 38% for calcipotriol, and 55% for the vehicle cream. The percentage of patients, who reached PASI 50 and 75 at any time point, was 55.9% and 29.4% for the herbal oil cream, 47.4% and 15.8% for calcipotriol, and 23 (60.5%) and 13 (34.2%) for the vehicle, respectively (p > 0.05). The vehicle, originally designed as a placebo, contained a main ingredient of the herbal oil cream and therefore showed corresponding results. Conclusion: The herbal oil cream demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of mild to moderate plaque psoriasis.

Development of Novel Anti-infective Formulations for Wound Disinfection

Chapter

Jul 2021

Regalin Rout

Wound infection and disinfection mainly rely on the type of wounds and the development of a novel and effective way of wound repairing or healing materials. Development of novel anti-infective formulations depends on the type of wounds and mechanism of healing the wound. Nowadays, wound healing and management is quite a challenging area of research, whereas development of anti-infective formulations needs an extensive information on the pathogenesis of wound infection and its healing. This seems to be a much more complicated process which is controlled by different exogenous and endogenous factors. In the elderly, systemic disorders like diabetes, immunosuppression, venous disease, and metabolic deficiencies also affect the healing of wounds. Apart from this, accumulation of some pathogenic bacteria in skin wounds occurs where they are aggregated and immobilized in an adhesive matrix of extracellular polymeric substances which leads to the weak penetration of antibiotics and subsequently makes it difficult to eradicate the bacteria completely. This happens due to the host clearance mechanisms, i.e., antibodies and phagocytes through the microbial biofilm. In addition, toxins produced from bacteria lead to an excessive, detrimental inflammatory response such as development of antibiotic resistance and delayed wound healing followed by prolonged hospitalization. Therefore, wound infections and its healing have emerged as a big cause of death and burden toward the healthcare system. Based on the above scenario, different anti-infective therapies and formulations were suggested which will be described in this chapter. Several antimicrobial therapies as well as antimicrobials are used for wound healing which is discussed in this chapter. Besides this, some naturally derived antimicrobials such as essential oil and honey also play a key role in curing wounds. In addition, nanoparticles also help in wound healing by an excellent approach to speeding up the recovery of acute and chronic wounds, by energizing proper movement through the different phases of healing.

Almonds and Almond Oil Have Similar Effects on Plasma Lipids and LDL Oxidation in Healthy Men and Women

Article

Full-text available

May 2002

Epidemiologic and clinical studies have shown that nut consumption is associated with favorable plasma lipid profiles and reduced cardiovascular risk. These effects may result from their high monounsaturated fat (MUFA) content but nuts contain constituents other than fatty acids that might be cardioprotective. We conducted a study to compare the effects of whole-almond vs. almond oil consumption on plasma lipids and LDL oxidation in healthy men and women. Using a randomized crossover trial design, 22 normolipemic men and women replaced half of their habitual fat (approximately 14% of approximately 29% energy) with either whole almonds (WA) or almond oil (AO) for 6-wk periods. Compliance was ascertained by monitoring dietary intake via biweekly 5-d food records, return of empty almond product packages and weekly meetings with a registered dietitian. Fat replacement with either WA and AO resulted in a 54% increase in percentage of energy as MUFA with declines in both saturated fat and cholesterol intake and no significant changes in total energy, total or polyunsaturated fat intake. The effects of WA and AO on plasma lipids did not differ compared with baseline; plasma triglyceride, total and LDL cholesterol significantly decreased, 14, 4 and 6% respectively, whereas HDL cholesterol increased 6%. Neither treatment affected in vitro LDL oxidizability. We conclude that WA and AO do not differ in their beneficial effects on the plasma lipid variables measured and that this suggests that the favorable effect of almonds is mediated by components in the oil fraction of these nuts.

Immunological and Psychological Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2005
EVID-BASED COMPL ALT

This preliminary investigation compares peripheral blood cell counts including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), CD4(+), CD8(+) and CD16(+) lymphocytes, CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio, hematocrit, humoral parameters including serum interferon-gamma and interleukin-6, salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA). Psychological measures including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) between recipients (n = 11) of carrier oil massage and aromatherapy massage, which includes sweet almond oil, lavender oil, cypress oil and sweet marjoram oil. Though both STAI and SDS showed a significant reduction (P < 0.01) after treatment with aromatherapy and carrier massage, no difference between the aromatherapy and control massage was observed for STAI and SDS. Aromatherapy, in contrast to control massage, did not significantly reduce RBC count or hematocrit. However, aromatherapy massage showed a significant (P > 0.05) increase in PBLs, possibly due to an increase in CD8(+) and CD16(+) lymphocytes, which had significantly increased post-treatment (P < 0.01). Consequently, the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio decreased significantly (P < 0.01). The paucity of such differences after carrier oil massage suggests that aromatherapy massage could be beneficial in disease states that require augmentation of CD8(+) lymphocytes. While this study identifies the immunological benefits of aromatherapy massage, there is a need to validate the findings prospectively in a larger cohort of patients.

Peppermint oil (Mintoil((R))) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A prospective double blind placebo-controlled randomized trial

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2007
DIGEST LIVER DIS

The use of peppermint oil in treating the irritable bowel syndrome has been studied with variable results probably due to the presence of patients affected by small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, lactose intolerance or celiac disease that may have symptoms similar to irritable bowel syndrome. The aim of the study was to test the effectiveness of enteric-coated peppermint oil in patients with irritable bowel syndrome in whom small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, lactose intolerance and celiac disease were excluded. Fifty-seven patients with irritable bowel syndrome according to the Rome II criteria, with normal lactose and lactulose breath tests and negative antibody screening for celiac disease, were treated with peppermint oil (two enteric-coated capsules twice per day or placebo) for 4 weeks in a double blind study. The symptoms were assessed before therapy (T(0)), after the first 4 weeks of therapy (T(4)) and 4 weeks after the end of therapy (T(8)). The symptoms evaluated were: abdominal bloating, abdominal pain or discomfort, diarrhoea, constipation, feeling of incomplete evacuation, pain at defecation, passage of gas or mucus and urgency at defecation. For each symptom intensity and frequency from 0 to 4 were scored. The total irritable bowel syndrome symptoms score was also calculated as the mean value of the sum of the average of the intensity and frequency scores of each symptom. At T(4), 75% of the patients in the peppermint oil group showed a >50% reduction of basal (T(0)) total irritable bowel syndrome symptoms score compared with 38% in the placebo group (P<0.009). With peppermint oil at T(4) and at T(8) compared with T(0) a statistically significant reduction of the total irritable bowel syndrome symptoms score was found (T(0): 2.19+/-0.13, T(4): 1.07+/-0.10*, T(8): 1.60+/-0.10*, *P<0.01 compared with T(0), mean+/-S.E.M.), while no change was found with the placebo. A 4 weeks treatment with peppermint oil improves abdominal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Rasayana: Ayurvedic Herbs for Longevity and Rejuvenation

Book

Oct 2002

H.S. Puri

Dose Response of Almonds on Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors: Blood Lipids, Oxidized Low-Density Lipoproteins, Lipoprotein(a), Homocysteine, and Pulmonary Nitric Oxide: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Trial

Article

Sep 2002

David J.A. Jenkins

Background— Although recent studies have indicated that nut consumption may improve levels of blood lipids, nuts are not generally recommended as snacks for hyperlipidemic subjects because of their high fat content. Furthermore, the effective dose is still unknown. Methods and Results— The dose-response effects of whole almonds, taken as snacks, were compared with low-saturated fat (<5% energy) whole-wheat muffins (control) in the therapeutic diets of hyperlipidemic subjects. In a randomized crossover study, 27 hyperlipidemic men and women consumed 3 isoenergetic (mean 423 kcal/d) supplements each for 1 month. Supplements provided 22.2% of energy and consisted of full-dose almonds (73±3 g/d), half-dose almonds plus half-dose muffins, and full-dose muffins. Fasting blood, expired air, blood pressure, and body weight measurements were obtained at weeks 0, 2, and 4. Mean body weights differed <300 g between treatments. The full-dose almonds produced the greatest reduction in levels of blood lipids. Significant reductions from baseline were seen on both half- and full-dose almonds for LDL cholesterol (4.4±1.7%, P=0.018, and 9.4±1.9%, P<0.001, respectively) and LDL:HDL cholesterol (7.8±2.2%, P=0.001, and 12.0±2.1%, P<0.001, respectively) and on full-dose almonds alone for lipoprotein(a) (7.8±3.5%, P=0.034) and oxidized LDL concentrations (14.0±3.8%, P<0.001), with no significant reductions on the control diet. No difference was seen in pulmonary nitric oxide between treatments. Conclusions— Almonds used as snacks in the diets of hyperlipidemic subjects significantly reduce coronary heart disease risk factors, probably in part because of the nonfat (protein and fiber) and monounsaturated fatty acid components of the nut.

A Review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L)

Article

Aug 2006

Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) is one of the most widely consumed single ingredient herbal teas, or tisanes. Peppermint tea, brewed from the plant leaves, and the essential oil of peppermint are used in traditional medicines. Evidence-based research regarding the bioactivity of this herb is reviewed. The phenolic constituents of the leaves include rosmarinic acid and several flavonoids, primarily eriocitrin, luteolin and hesperidin. The main volatile components of the essential oil are menthol and menthone. In vitro, peppermint has significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities, strong antioxidant and antitumor actions, and some antiallergenic potential. Animal model studies demonstrate a relaxation effect on gastrointestinal (GI) tissue, analgesic and anesthetic effects in the central and peripheral nervous system, immunomodulating actions and chemopreventive potential. Human studies on the GI, respiratory tract and analgesic effects of peppermint oil and its constituents have been reported. Several clinical trials examining the effects of peppermint oil on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms have been conducted. However, human studies of peppermint leaf are limited and clinical trials of peppermint tea are absent. Adverse reactions to peppermint tea have not been reported, although caution has been urged for peppermint oil therapy in patients with GI reflux, hiatal hernia or kidney stones.

Partially hydrolyzed guar gum

Article

Jun 2003
NUTRITION

Objective This paper provides a review of research on partially hydrolyzed guar gum that is relevant to clinical nutrition practice.

Domestication of Plants in the Old World

Book

Jan 1993

Chapter 4 Beneficial Health Properties of Psyllium and Approaches to Improve Its Functionalities

Article

Feb 2008
Adv Food Nutr Res

Psyllium is an excellent dietary source for both soluble and insoluble fibers and has been used in supplemental and food products for its beneficial health effects. The strong water-absorbing and gelling capacities have made it a great challenge to incorporate psyllium in foods at the level needed to claim health benefits on the label. This review is focused on the approaches to improve the functionality, sensory property, and bioactivity of psyllium. Also included is a brief summary of the health beneficial effects of psyllium, along with its possible adverse effects. The information may be useful for those in psyllium research and functional food development.

[Phenol almond oil for sclerosing of hemorrhoids]

Article

Jan 1991

Bernhard H Lenhard

Whole almonds and almond fractions reduce aberrant crypt foci in a rat model of colon carcinogenesis

Article

May 2001
CANCER LETT

Almonds and other nuts appear to confer health benefits despite their high fat content. To assess the effect of almonds on colon cancer, whole almond-, almond meal- or almond oil-containing diet effects on aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in azoxymethane-treated F344 male rats were investigated. Six-week-old male F344 rats were fed the various almond and control diets and given subcutaneous injections of azoxymethane (15 mg/kg body weight) twice 1 week apart. After 26 weeks animals were injected with bromodeoxyuridine 1 h prior to sacrifice, after which colons were evaluated for ACF and cell turnover (labeling index, LI). Whole almond ACF and LI were both significantly lower than wheat bran and cellulose diet groups (-30 and -40%, respectively), while almond meal and almond oil ACF and almond meal LI declines were only significant vs. cellulose (P<0.05). These results suggest that almond consumption may reduce colon cancer risk and does so via at least one almond lipid-associated component.

Analysis of physicochemical property and composition of fatty acid of almond oil

Article

Oct 1999

Almond oil was extracted from almond and saponified with saturated KOH-methanol. The mixed fatty acids methylated by methanol-H2SO4(4:1, V/V). Methyl esters were extracted by ether and detected by gas chromatography. The major fatty acids in Taiyuan almond oil were found to be about 68% oleic acid (C18:1), 25% linoleic acid(C18:2), 4.6%-4.8% palmitic acid(C16:0) and a little of palmitoleic acid(C16:1), stearic acid(C18:0). A trace of arachidic acid(C20:0) was also found.

Control of diarrhea by fiber-enriched diet in ICU patients on enteral nutrition: A prospective randomized controlled trial

Article

Dec 2004
CLIN NUTR

Enteral fiber-free diets alter intestinal transit and produce diarrhea or constipation. This prospective double blind, controlled study evaluates the use of guar gum, a soluble fiber and a candidate prebiotic in enteral feeds, to prevent diarrhea and potential health benefits in intensive care unit patients. Twenty patients on enteral nutrition with persistent diarrhea were randomized to receive a new enteral feed either enriched with 2% soluble guar gum (study group, n = 10) or fiber-free (control group, n = 10) for 4 successive days. The number of liquid stools in response to a soluble fiber-enriched diet was 2.0+/-0.9 (first day) vs. 1.0+/-0.7 (fourth day) (P < 0.01), and in the control group 1.2+/-0.7 (first day) vs. 2.1+/-0.8 (fourth day) (P < 0.05). In the fiber-enriched feed group, plasma glucose and cholesterol levels at termination of the study, respectively, reached 126+/-81 and 164+/-71 mg dl(-1), as compared to 333+/-108 and 378+/-26 mg dl(-1) on Day first (P < 0.01). In the control group, these values on the fourth day were, respectively, 267+/-94 and 263+/-79 vs. 247+/-115 and 315+/-78 on Day first (P > 0.05). Guar gum-enriched enteral nutrition was related to a decrease of diarrheal episodes in ICU patients with preexisting diarrhea; and to a trend for lower plasma glucose and cholesterol levels.

Treatment Effects of Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum on Symptoms and Quality of Life of Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. A Multicenter Randomized Open Trial

Article

Jul 2005

The effects of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) were compared in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, at 10 g/day (N = 40) and 5 g/day (N = 46) for 12 weeks. Gastrointestinal symptoms (GSRS), quality of life (SF-36), and psychological symptoms (HADS) were evaluated at baseline, during treatment (months 1 and 3), and at follow-up (month 6). In both groups symptoms and quality of life improved significantly after the first month of administration until follow-up compared to those at baseline. However, the improvement was significantly reduced at follow-up compared to the end of treatment. PHGG was effective for improving somatic (gastrointestinal symptoms) and psychological (quality of life and psychological distress) symptoms over the short term. Since the improvement tended to decrease after the end of the treatment period, further studies should evaluate the benefits of PHGG at a maintenance dosage.

A Single-Blinded, Randomized Pilot Study Evaluating the Aroma of Lavandula augustifolia as a Treatment for Mild Insomnia

Article

Aug 2005

Insomnia is the most common of all sleep complaints and is under-researched. The current treatments of choice are conventional hypnotics agents, but these have potential for serious adverse reactions. Uncontrolled and anecdotal evidence suggests that lavender oil is an effective treatment for insomnia, but this has not been formally investigated. The aims of this study were to evaluate the proposed trial methodology and the efficacy of Lavandula augustifolia (lavender) on insomnia. Interventions: Interventions consisted of Lavandula augustifolia (treatment) and sweet almond oil as placebo/control. The aroma was supplied via an Aromastream device (Tisserand Aromatherapy, Sussex, UK). This was a pilot study with randomized, single-blind, cross-over design (baseline, two treatment periods, and a washout period, each of 1 week duration). Volunteers with defined insomnia treated on a domiciliary basis participated in the study. Outcomes were assessed with the following: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) indicating insomnia (score > 5 at entry); Borkovec and Nau (B&N) Questionnaire evaluating treatment credibility; and Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (HCAMQ) assessing attitudes to CAM and health beliefs. Ten (10) volunteers (5 male and 5 female) were entered and completed the 4 week study. Lavender created an improvement of -2.5 points in PSQI (p = 0.07, 95% CI - 4.95 to - 0.4). Each intervention was equally credible and belief in CAM did not predict outcome. Women and younger volunteers with a milder insomnia improved more than others. No period or carry-over effect was observed. The methodology for this pilot study appeared to be appropriate. Outcomes favor lavender, and a larger trial is required to draw definitive conclusions.

Role of partially hydrolyzed guar gum in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

Article

Apr 2006
NUTRITION

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the world's most common gastrointestinal functional disorder and is associated with several social and economic costs. Health-related quality of life is often impaired in patients with IBS. The pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying IBS remain poorly defined. The therapeutic approach to patients with IBS is based on symptoms, and fibers may play an important role in treatment. Among the various types of fiber, water-soluble, non-gelling fibers seem to be a promising option for treatment of IBS. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) is a water-soluble, non-gelling fiber that has provided therapeutic benefits. In clinical trials, PHGG decreased symptoms in constipation-predominant and diarrhea-predominant forms of IBS and decreased abdominal pain. Further, an improvement in quality of life was observed in patients with IBS during and after treatment with PHGG. Moreover, PHGG seems to have prebiotic properties because it increases the colonic contents of short-chain fatty acids, Lactobacilli, and Bifidobacteria.

Evaluating the effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing levels of anxiety in palliative care patients: Results of a pilot study

Article

Jun 2006
Compl Ther Clin Pract

Gaye Kyle

Results of the pilot study of the four counties randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of aromatherapy massage with 1% Santalum album (Sandalwood) (group A) when compared with massage with Sweet Almond Carrier oil, (group B) or Sandalwood oil via an aromastone (group C), in reducing levels of anxiety in palliative care. The aims of the pilot study were to evaluate the effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing anxiety in patients receiving palliative care in four counties. The primary end points of the research were to report a statistically significant difference in anxiety scores between experimental group (B) and comparison groups (A and C) and to influence the integration of aromatherapy into all aspects of palliative care. The limited data of the pilot study (N=34) tested the logistics of the research, particularly the 25% attrition rate and the robustness of the data collection tools. The results were not substantial enough to generate coherent statistics. Therefore no assumptions could be drawn from these results due to the inconsistencies that were bound to occur in such a small sample. However, the results do seem to support the notion that Sandalwood oil is effective in reducing anxiety.

Partially hydrolyzed guar gum: clinical nutrition uses

Article

Jul 2003
NUTRITION

This paper provides a review of research on partially hydrolyzed guar gum that is relevant to clinical nutrition practice. All relevant papers published on partially hydrolyzed guar gum were reviewed and the results summarized. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) is a water-soluble dietary fiber with a wide range of uses in clinical nutrition. Its low viscosity allows its use in enteral products and beverages. PHGG can be added to enteral formulas and food products as a dietary fiber source. PHGG provides the benefits associated with dietary fiber ingestion. Addition of PHGG to the diet reduced laxative dependence in a nursing home population. PHGG also reduced the incidence of diarrhea in septic patients receiving total enteral nutrition and reduced symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. PHGG also increased production of Bifidobacterium in the gut. The ease of use of PHGG and its clinical effectiveness make it a good choice in clinical nutrition practice.

Effect of pre-treatment of almond oil on ultraviolet B?induced cutaneous photoaging in mice

Article

Apr 2007
J Cosmet Dermatol

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been implicated in photoaging and various types of skin carcinomas. Although the human skin has evolved several defense mechanisms to survive the insults of actinic damage like keratinization, melanin pigmentation, etc., it is still subjected to the harmful effects of sunlight. In this study, the role of almond oil in reducing the degradative changes induced in skin upon exposure to UV radiation was investigated. Mice were divided in four groups of 20 animals. Group I was the control group. Group II was negative control, which received almond oil treatment alone. Group III was exposed to UV radiation only and Group IV received both UV treatment and almond oil treatment. Visible skin grading assessed the changes based on a rating scale, biochemical tests (glutathione estimation and lipid peroxidation), and histopathologic studies. Upon exposure of mice to UV radiation, it was found that pronounced visible skin changes were seen after 12 weeks of exposure. The results of the biochemical tests, glutathione estimation, and lipid peroxidation showed that almond oil reduced the effect of UV light-induced photoaging on the skin. Histopathologic studies also indicated a photoprotective effect of almond oil on the skin after UV exposure. It was concluded that topical almond oil is capable of preventing the structural damage caused by UV irradiation and it was also found useful in decelerating the photoaging process.

Review of the Treatment Options for Chronic Constipation

Article

Feb 2007
Medsc Gen Med

John F Johanson

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal motility disorder that is often chronic, negatively affects patients' daily lives, and is associated with high healthcare costs. There is a considerable range of treatment modalities available for patients with constipation; however, the clinical evidence supporting their use varies widely. Nonpharmacologic modalities, such as increased exercise or fluid intake and bowel habit training, are generally recommended as first-line approaches, but data on the effectiveness of these measures are limited. The clinical benefits of various traditional pharmacologic agents (many of which are available over the counter, such as laxatives and fiber supplements) remain unclear. Although these modalities may benefit some patients with temporary constipation, their efficacy in patients for whom constipation is chronic is less well defined. Some studies suggest benefit with psyllium, polyethylene glycol, and lactulose; however, the use of other agents, such as calcium polycarbophil, methylcellulose, bran, magnesium hydroxide, and stimulant laxatives, is not supported by strong clinical evidence. More recently, newer agents have been approved for the treatment of patients with chronic constipation on the basis of comprehensive clinical investigation programs. Tegaserod, with its well-established clinical profile, and lubiprostone, the latest addition to the treatment armamentarium, represent the new generation of therapies for chronic constipation. This article reviews the efficacy and safety of traditional therapies used in the management of the multiple symptoms associated with chronic constipation and discusses recently approved and emerging therapies for this disorder.

Lipid uptake and skin occlusion following topical application of oils on adult and infant skin

Article

Jun 2008
J DERMATOL SCI

Topical application of oils and oil-based formulations is common practice in skin care for both adults and infants. Only limited knowledge however is available regarding skin penetration and occlusive potential of oils and common methods for measuring skin moisturization fall short when it comes to the moisturizing effect of oils. In this study we used in vivo confocal Raman microspectroscopy to test the efficacy of paraffin oil (mineral oil) and two vegetable oils in terms of skin penetration and occlusion. Petrolatum was used as a positive control. The products were applied topically on the forearms of nine volunteers and seven infants and Raman spectra were acquired before and at 30 and 90 min following application. Depth concentration profiles for lipid and water were calculated from the Raman spectra. Skin occlusion was assessed from the amount of stratum corneum (SC) swelling measured from the water concentration profiles. The paraffin oil and the vegetable oils penetrate the top layers of the SC with similar concentration profiles, a result that was confirmed both for adult and infant skin. The three oils tested demonstrated modest SC swelling (10-20%) compared to moderate swelling (40-60%) for petrolatum. These data indicate that there is no statistical difference between the paraffin oil and vegetable oils in terms of skin penetration and skin occlusion. The results for petrolatum show that in vivo confocal Raman microspectroscopy is sensitive and specific enough to measure both lipid uptake and skin occlusion events following topical application.

Variability of Oil Content and of Major Fatty Acid Composition in Almond (Prunus amygdalus Batsch) and Its Relationship with Kernel Quality

Article

Jul 2008

Oil content and fatty acid composition were determined for two years in the kernel oil of eight cultivars and 47 advanced self-compatible almond genotypes developed in an almond breeding program. Considerable variation between genotypes was found for all parameters. Oil content ranged from 48% to 67% of the total kernel dry weight but was consistent over the two years. Fatty acid composition was also very variable, with significant differences between genotypes, even in genotypes of the same progeny. Oleic acid, ranging from 63% to 78%, and linoleic acid, ranging from 12% to 27%, were the major fatty acids, showing higher values in some selections than in their parents. The large variability observed for all fatty acids and the presence of selections with higher oil and fatty acid contents than the commercial cultivars represents a very promising base to obtain new almond cultivars with oil of higher quality, satisfying the industrial and consumer sectors.

The fruit of the matter

Jan 2006
12

Cantor

Cantor D, Fleischer J, Green J, Israel DL. The fruit of the matter. Mental Floss 2006;5(4):12.

The uses and properties of almond oil

Abstract

No full-text available

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