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International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2017Plant oils have been utilized for a variety of purposes throughout history, with their integration into foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. They are now being... (Review)
Review
Plant oils have been utilized for a variety of purposes throughout history, with their integration into foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. They are now being increasingly recognized for their effects on both skin diseases and the restoration of cutaneous homeostasis. This article briefly reviews the available data on biological influences of topical skin applications of some plant oils (olive oil, olive pomace oil, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, safflower seed oil, argan oil, soybean oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, avocado oil, borage oil, jojoba oil, oat oil, pomegranate seed oil, almond oil, bitter apricot oil, rose hip oil, German chamomile oil, and shea butter). Thus, it focuses on the therapeutic benefits of these plant oils according to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on the skin, promotion of wound healing and repair of skin barrier.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Humans; Plant Oils; Plants; Skin; Skin Aging; Wound Healing
PubMed: 29280987
DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010070 -
Journal of Microbiology and... Mar 2017For centuries, plants have been used for a wide variety of purposes, from treating infectious diseases to food preservation and perfume production. Presently, the... (Review)
Review
For centuries, plants have been used for a wide variety of purposes, from treating infectious diseases to food preservation and perfume production. Presently, the increasing resistance of microorganisms to currently used antimicrobials in combination with the appearance of emerging diseases requires the urgent development of new, more effective drugs. Plants, due to the large biological and structural diversity of their components, constitute a unique and renewable source for the discovery of new antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic compounds. In the present paper, the history, composition, and antimicrobial activities of the basil, oregano, and thyme essential oils are reviewed.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Bacteria; Fungi; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Ocimum; Ocimum basilicum; Oils, Volatile; Origanum; Plant Oils; Thymus Plant
PubMed: 27994215
DOI: 10.4014/jmb.1608.08024 -
Zeitschrift Fur Naturforschung. C,... Jul 2020
Topics: Agriculture; Animals; Humans; Insecticides; Oils, Volatile; Plant Oils; Plants; Secondary Metabolism
PubMed: 32609657
DOI: 10.1515/znc-2020-0124 -
Nutrients Sep 2018Members of the genus L. have been used in traditional medicine for centuries for treating gastrointestinal disorders, pain, inflammatory conditions, wounds, and for... (Review)
Review
Members of the genus L. have been used in traditional medicine for centuries for treating gastrointestinal disorders, pain, inflammatory conditions, wounds, and for cancer prevention and antiaging, among others. Many of the biological activities of species can be attributed to nonvolatile curcuminoids, but these plants also produce volatile chemicals. Essential oils, in general, have shown numerous beneficial effects for health maintenance and treatment of diseases. Essential oils from spp., particularly , have demonstrated various health-related biological activities and several essential oil companies have recently marketed oils. This review summarizes the volatile components of various species, the biological activities of essential oils, and potential safety concerns of essential oils and their components.
Topics: Animals; Curcuma; Humans; Oils, Volatile; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plant Oils; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 30200410
DOI: 10.3390/nu10091196 -
Current Atherosclerosis Reports May 2023This narrative review summarizes the current peer-reviewed literature and mechanisms surrounding the cardiovascular health impact of coconut oil. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This narrative review summarizes the current peer-reviewed literature and mechanisms surrounding the cardiovascular health impact of coconut oil.
RECENT FINDINGS
No randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and/or prospective cohort studies have investigated the effect or association of coconut oil with cardiovascular disease. Evidence from RCTs indicated that coconut oil seems to have less detrimental effects on total and LDL-cholesterol compared to butter, but not compared to cis-unsaturated vegetable oils, such as safflower, sunflower, or canola oil. The isocaloric replacement (by 1% of energy intake) of carbohydrates with lauric acid (the predominant fatty acid in coconut oil) increased total cholesterol by 0.029 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.014; 0.045), LDL-cholesterol by 0.017 mmol/L (0.003; 0.031), and HDL-cholesterol by 0.019 mmol/L (0.016; 0.023). The current evidence from shorter term RCTs suggests that replacement of coconut oil with cis-unsaturated oils lowers total and LDL-cholesterol, whereas for the association between coconut oil intake and cardiovascular disease, less evidence is available.
Topics: Humans; Coconut Oil; Dietary Fats; Cardiovascular Diseases; Plant Oils; Cholesterol, LDL; Triglycerides
PubMed: 36971981
DOI: 10.1007/s11883-023-01098-y -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2019Avocado oil has generated growing interest among consumers due to its nutritional and technological characteristics, which is evidenced by an increase in the number of... (Review)
Review
Avocado oil has generated growing interest among consumers due to its nutritional and technological characteristics, which is evidenced by an increase in the number of scientific articles that have been published on it. The purpose of the present research was to discuss the extraction methods, chemical composition, and various applications of avocado oil in the food and medicine industries. Our research was carried out through a systematic search in scientific databases. Even though there are no international regulations concerning the quality of avocado oil, some authors refer to the parameters used for olive oil, as stated by the Codex Alimentarius or the International Olive Oil Council. They indicate that the quality of avocado oil will depend on the quality and maturity of the fruit and the extraction technique in relation to temperature, solvents, and conservation. While the avocado fruit has been widely studied, there is a lack of knowledge about avocado oil and the potential health effects of consuming it. On the basis of the available data, avocado oil has established itself as an oil that has a very good nutritional value at low and high temperatures, with multiple technological applications that can be exploited for the benefit of its producers.
Topics: Antioxidants; Biotechnology; Food Contamination; Humans; Persea; Plant Oils
PubMed: 31185591
DOI: 10.3390/molecules24112172 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2015A growing body of evidence highlights the close association between nutrition and human health. Fat is an essential macronutrient, and vegetable oils, such as palm oil,... (Review)
Review
A growing body of evidence highlights the close association between nutrition and human health. Fat is an essential macronutrient, and vegetable oils, such as palm oil, are widely used in the food industry and highly represented in the human diet. Palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid, is the principal constituent of refined palm oil. In the last few decades, controversial studies have reported potential unhealthy effects of palm oil due to the high palmitic acid content. In this review we provide a concise and comprehensive update on the functional role of palm oil and palmitic acid in the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The atherogenic potential of palmitic acid and its stereospecific position in triacylglycerols are also discussed.
Topics: Animals; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dietary Fats; Humans; Mice; Neoplasms; Obesity; Palm Oil; Palmitic Acid; Plant Oils
PubMed: 26393565
DOI: 10.3390/molecules200917339 -
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Mar 2018Peppermint oil has been used for centuries as a treatment for gastrointestinal ailments. It has been shown to have several effects on gastrointestinal physiology... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Peppermint oil has been used for centuries as a treatment for gastrointestinal ailments. It has been shown to have several effects on gastrointestinal physiology relevant to clinical care and management.
AIM
To review the literature on peppermint oil regarding its metabolism, effects on gastrointestinal physiology, clinical use and efficacy, and safety.
METHODS
We performed a PubMed literature search using the following terms individually or in combination: peppermint, peppermint oil, pharmacokinetics, menthol, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, gallbladder, colon, transit, dyspepsia, nausea, abdominal pain, and irritable bowel syndrome. Full manuscripts evaluating peppermint oil that were published through 15 July 2017 were reviewed. When evaluating therapeutic indications, only randomised clinical trials were included. References from selected manuscripts were used if relevant.
RESULTS
It appears that peppermint oil may have several mechanisms of action including: smooth muscle relaxation (via calcium channel blockade or direct enteric nervous system effects); visceral sensitivity modulation (via transient receptor potential cation channels); anti-microbial effects; anti-inflammatory activity; modulation of psychosocial distress. Peppermint oil has been found to affect oesophageal, gastric, small bowel, gall-bladder, and colonic physiology. It has been used to facilitate completion of colonoscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Placebo controlled studies support its use in irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, childhood functional abdominal pain, and post-operative nausea. Few adverse effects have been reported in peppermint oil trials.
CONCLUSION
Peppermint oil is a natural product which affects physiology throughout the gastrointestinal tract, has been used successfully for several clinical disorders, and appears to have a good safety profile.
Topics: Abdominal Pain; Child; Dyspepsia; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Mentha piperita; Plant Oils; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29372567
DOI: 10.1111/apt.14519 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2022Essential oils (EOs) and plant extracts are sources of beneficial chemical compounds that have potential applications in medicine, food, cosmetics, and the agriculture... (Review)
Review
Essential oils (EOs) and plant extracts are sources of beneficial chemical compounds that have potential applications in medicine, food, cosmetics, and the agriculture industry. Plant medicines were the only option for preventing and treating mankind's diseases for centuries. Therefore, plant products are fundamental sources for producing natural drugs. The extraction of the EOs is the first important step in preparing these compounds. Modern extraction methods are effective in the efficient development of these compounds. Moreover, the compounds extracted from plants have natural antimicrobial activity against many spoilage and disease-causing bacteria. Also, the use of plant compounds in cosmetics and hygiene products, in addition to their high marketability, has been helpful for many beauty problems. On the other hand, the agricultural industry has recently shifted more from conventional production systems to authenticated organic production systems, as consumers prefer products without any pesticide and herbicide residues, and certified organic products command higher prices. EOs and plant extracts can be utilized as ingredients in plant antipathogens, biopesticides, and bioherbicides for the agricultural sector. Considering the need and the importance of using EOs and plant extracts in pharmaceutical and other industries, this review paper outlines the different aspects of the applications of these compounds in various sectors.
Topics: Oils, Volatile; Plant Extracts; Antioxidants; Bacteria; Cosmetics; Plant Oils
PubMed: 36558132
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27248999 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2022Arecaceae palm tree fruits (APTFs) with pulp or kernel rich in oil are widely distributed in six Brazilian biomes. APTFs represent a great potential for the sustainable... (Review)
Review
Arecaceae palm tree fruits (APTFs) with pulp or kernel rich in oil are widely distributed in six Brazilian biomes. APTFs represent a great potential for the sustainable exploitation of products with high added value, but few literature studies have reported their properties and industrial applications. The lack of information leads to underutilization, low consumption, commercialization, and processing of these fruit species. This review presents and discusses the occurrence of 13 APTFs and the composition, physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, and potential applications of their 25 oils and fats. The reported studies showed that the species present different lipid profiles. Multivariate analysis based on principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) indicated a correlation between the composition of pulp and kernel oils. Myristic, caprylic, capric, and lauric acids are the main saturated fatty acids, while oleic acid is the main unsaturated. Carotenoids and phenolic compounds are the main bioactive compounds in APTFs, contributing to their high oxidative stability. The APTFs oils have a potential for use as foods and ingredients in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and biofuel industries. However, more studies are still necessary to better understand and exploit these species.
Topics: Arecaceae; Brazil; Fatty Acids; Fruit; Palm Oil; Plant Oils
PubMed: 35807433
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27134188