Phytosterols Content in Vegetable Oils of Brazil: Coconut, Safflower, Linseed and Evening Primrose

Abstract In the last years phytosterols, natural components of plants, have received more attention due to association of their consumption with reducing risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. There are several scientific studies about phytosterols in vegetable oils, but they are scarce in unconventional oils. The objective of this research was evaluating the content of phytosterols (β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol) in vegetable oils sold in São Paulo city, in Brazil. The analysis included cold alkaline saponification, derivatization with hexamethyldisilazane and trimethylchlorosilane reagents, and quantification by gas chromatography using flame ionization detection and internal standardization. The quality control parameters indicated that the method was suitable for analysis. Total sterols were between 272.3 mg kg-1 (coconut oil) to 6169.7 mg kg-1 (evening primrose oil). β-sitosterol was the component found in higher concentrations and evening primrose oil was the most representative in quantity of phytosterols.

Combined bioactive approach over atherosclerosis risk biomarkers / Abordagem combinada de compostos bioativos sobre biomarcadores de risco para aterosclerose

Atherosclerosis, one major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, is a complex and multifactorial disease that involves three mainly conditions: chronic inflammation, dyslipidemia and oxidative stress. Although statins are the first-line therapy for LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering, the efficacy of cardiovascular events prevention is limited to 30-40%. This residual risk brought attention to the need of new therapies and clinical targets beyond LDL-C, such as inflammation and oxidative stress. Importantly, suboptimal treatment and/or statin discontinuation due to adverse effects have also been a very challenging clinical problem. Complementary diet therapy can be an effective and safe approach to support pharmacological treatment, especially when drugs alone are insufficient to attenuate risk factors and/or the recommended dose is not well tolerated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of three bioactive components, namely omega-3 fatty acids, plant sterols and polyphenols, on markers of dyslipidemia, inflammation and oxidative stress in patients treated with statins. A randomized, crossover clinical study was carried out, with the participation of 53 subjects. At each intervention period, study participants received a packaged for the functional or control treatment. Functional treatment consisted of fish oil (1.7 g of EPA+DHA/day), chocolate containing plant sterols (2.2 g/day) and green tea (two tea sachets/day). Control treatment consisted of soy oil softgels, regular chocolate and anise tea. After 6 weeks of intervention, functional treatment reduced plasma LDL-C (-13.7% ± 3.7, p=0.002) and C-reactive protein (-35.5% ± 5.9, p=0.027). Plasma triacylglycerol (-15.68% ± 5.94, p=0.02) and MDA (-40.98% ± 6.74, p=0.04) were reduced in subgroups of patients (n=23) with baseline values above the median (93 mg/dL and 2.23 umol/L, respectively). Analysis of lathosterol and campesterol in plasma suggested that intensity of LDL-C reduction was influenced by cholesterol absorption rate rather than its endogenous synthesis. After multivariate analysis, patients identified as "good responders" to supplementation (n=10) were recruited for a pilot protocol of statin dose reduction with complementary diet therapy. Responders received the functional treatment for 12 weeks: standard statin therapy was kept during the first 6 weeks and reduced by 50% from weeks 6 to 12. No difference was observed for plasma lipids and inflammation biomarkers, cholesterol efflux capacity or HDL particle number after statin dose reduction when compared to standard therapy. Although limited by the small sample size, our study demonstrates the potential for a new therapeutic approach combining lower statin dose and specific dietary compounds. This may be particularly helpful for the many patients with, and at risk for, CVD who cannot tolerate high-dose statin therapy

A aterosclerose, uma importante causa mundial de morbidade e mortalidade, é uma doença complexa e multifatorial que envolve três principais condições: inflamação crônica, dislipidemia e estresse oxidativo. Embora as estatinas sejam fármacos de primeira linha para redução de LDL colesterol (LDL-C), sua eficácia na prevenção de eventos cardiovasculares é limitadada a 30-40%. Este risco cardiovascular residual evidencia a necessidade de novas terapias e marcadores clínicos que vão além do LDL-C, como inflamação e estresse oxidativo. Não obstante, tratamento subótimo e/ou interrupção do uso de estatinas devido à ocorrencia de efeitos adversos também é um grave obstáculo na clínica médica. Neste contexto, a terapia dietética complementar representa uma abordagem efetiva e segura para o suporte do tratamento farmacológico, especialmente quando as drogas são insuficientes para atenuar fatores de risco e/ou quando a dose recomendada não é bem tolerada. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito de três compostos bioativos - ácidos graxos ômega 3, fitosteróis e polifenóis - sobre marcadores de inflamação, lipemia e estresse oxidativo em indivíduos tradados com estatinas. Foi realizado um estudo clínico randomizado, de delineamento crossover, com a participação de 53 voluntários. A cada período de intervenção, os participantes receberam um tratamento funcional ou controle. O tratamento funcional foi composto por cápsulas de óleo de peixe (1.7 g/dia de EPA+DHA), chocolate contendo fitosteróis (2.2 g/dia) e chá verde (dois sachês/dia). O tratamento controle foi composto por cápsulas de óleo de soja, chocolate sem adição de fitosteróis e chá de anis. Após 6 semanas de intervenção, o tratamento funcional reduziu a concentração plasmática de LDL-C (-13.7% ± 3.7, p=0.002) e proteína C-reativa (-35.5% ± 5.9, p=0.027). Triglicerídeos (- 15.68% ± 5.94, p=0.02) e malondialdeído (-40.98% ± 6.74, p=0.04) foram reduzidas apenas em subgrupos de indivíduos que apresentavam valores basais acima da mediana (93 mg/dL e 2.23 umol/L, respectivamente). A análise de latosterol e campesterol no plasma sugeriu que a intensidade da redução de LDL-C não foi influenciada pela síntese endógena de colesterol, mas sim pela taxa de absorção. Após análise multivariada dos resultados, pacientes identificados como "good responders" à suplementação (n=10) foram recrutados para um estudo piloto de redução da dosagem da estatina, aliado à terapia dietética complementar. Estes pacientes receberam o tratamento funcional por 12 semanas: durante as 6 primeiras semanas mantevese a dosagem de estatina, que em seguida foi reduzida em 50% das semanas 6 a 12. Não foram observadas diferenças para os marcadores plasmáticos de lipídeos, inflamação, capacidade de efluxo de colesterol ou número de partículas de HDL após a redução da dose de estatina, quando comparada à terapia convencional. Embora limitado pelo reduzido número de pacientes, o estudo demonstra o potencial para uma nova abordagem terapêutica, combinando reduzida dose de estatina com específicos compostos bioativos. Esta pode ser uma importante alternativa para muitos pacientes em risco cardiovascular e que são intolerantes à terapia com altas doses de estatina.

Validação de metodologias e determinação da composição de fitosteróis em cremes vegetais, farináceos e cafés comercializados em São Paulo. / Determinação da composição de fitosteróis em cremes vegetais, farináceos e cafés comercializados em São Paulo [título original] / Validation of methodologies and determination of phytosterols composition in vegetable creams, farinaceous and coffees commercialized in Sao Paulo

Os fitosteróis (FS) são esteróis de origem vegetal, reconhecidos como componentes funcionais devido ao seu papel hipocolesterolêmico. A recomendação de ingestão diária desses compostos é de 1,6 a 2 g/dia, no entanto há poucos estudos que avaliem os teores desses compostos em alimentos, sendo necessária sua quantificação. Objetivo - O objetivo deste projeto foi desenvolver uma metodologia e determinar os teores de FS em alguns alimentos usualmente consumidos e comercializados em São Paulo. Metodologia Foram avaliadas amostras de creme vegetal sem sal (in natura, e aquecidas a 100o C e 140o C), dos farináceos: farinha de trigo, farinha de milho, farinha de mandioca, amido de milho, café em pó (torras: tradicional, forte e extraforte, descafeinado e gourmet), café solúvel instantâneo, cappuccino e da bebida coada. As amostras, em triplicata, foram submetidas ao processo de saponificação a frio e a matéria insaponificável extraída foi derivatizada e posteriormente injetada em cromatógrafo gasoso. Resultados Os principais FS encontrados foram: -Sitosterol, campesterol e estigmasterol. As maiores médias de teores de FS foram encontradas nos cremes vegetais (186,2 ± 21,7 mg /100g) e nos pós de café moído (92,24 ± 3,95 mg /100g). As farinhas apresentaram teores intermediários, 42,27 ± 7,09 mg /100g; 35,10 ± 10,49 mg /100g; 22,02 ± 1,22 mg /100g; 14,33 ± 3,07 mg /100g para farinha de rosca, milho, trigo e mandioca, respectivamente. As amostras cappuccino (5,73 ± 0,78 mg /100g), café solúvel (4,03 ± 0,84 mg /100g) e amido de milho (3,55 ± 0,8 mg /100g) foram as apresentaram menores teores de FS...

Phytosterols (PS) are plant sterols, known as functional components due to its hypocholesterolemic role. The recommendation for daily intake of these compounds is 1.6-2 g/day, however there are few studies that evaluate the content of these compounds in foods, requiring its quantification. Objective: the objective of this project was to develop a methodology and determine the content of PS in some foods usually consumed and traded in Sao Paulo. Methodology: Were evaluated samples of: unsalted vegetable cream (in natura, and heated to 100oC and 140oC), farinaceous: wheat, corn and cassava flour, breadcrumbs and cornstarch, powdered coffee (roasts: traditional, strong and extra strong, decaffeinated and gourmet), instant coffee, cappuccino and strained drink coffee. Samples in triplicate were subjected to cold saponification process and unsaponificable matter was extracted, derivatized and subsequently injected into the gas chromatograph. Results: The main PS founded in the samples were: -sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol. The highest average levels of PS were found in vegetable creams (186.2 ± 21.7 mg / 100g) and powdered coffee (92.24 ± 3.95 mg / 100g). Farinaceous had intermediate levels, 42.27 ± 7.09 mg / 100g; 35.10 ± 10.49 mg / 100g; 22.02 ± 1.22 mg / 100g; 14.33 ± 3.07 mg / 100g for breadcrumbs, corn, and wheat and cassava flour, respectively. Cappuccino samples (5.73 ± 0.78 mg / 100g), soluble coffee (4.03 ± 0.84 mg / 100g) and corn starch (3.55 ± 0.8 mg / 100g) showed lower levels of PS...

Determinación de esteroles en la fracción insaponificable del aceite de los frutos de la palma real cubana (Roystonea regia) / Determination of sterols determination in unsaponifiable fraction from Cuban royal palm (Roystonea regia) fruit oil

Introducción: los esteroles han sido ampliamente estudiados por su importancia nutricional y farmacéutica. Sin embargo, para nuestro conocimiento, la composición de esteroles del aceite de los frutos de la palma real cubana (Roystonea regia) no ha sido determinada hasta el momento. Objetivos: determinar la composición de esteroles que pudieran estar presentes en la fracción insaponificable del aceite de R. regia mediante CG-EM. Métodos: muestras de dos lotes de aceite de R. regia fueron sometidas al procedimiento para la determinación de esteroles establecido por el del Instituto de Nutracéuticos de los EE.UU., el cual consiste, fundamentalmente, en una saponificación con disolución de KOH/EtOH y posterior extracción con n-hexano de las fracciones insaponificables. Las fracciones obtenidas fueron analizadas por CG-EM como derivados TMS e identificadas por comparación de sus espectros con los de patrones comerciales y los de la base de espectros Wiley. Para la cuantificación se utilizó el colestano como patrón interno. Resultados: en la fracción insaponificable del aceite de R. regia se encontró un contenido total de esteroles de 66,1por ciento; lo que representa un 0,14 por ciento del aceite. La fracción de esteroles, estuvo compuesta principalmente por â -sitosterol (51,2 por ciento), estigmasterol (9,6 porciento), campesterol (9,2 por ciento), 24-metilen-cicloartanol (9,2 porciento), Ã5-avenasterol (8,9 por ciento), cicloartanol (7,5 por ciento); además de otros componentes minoritarios como cicloartenol, ã-sitosterol y colesterol. Conclusiones: se identificaron y se cuantificaron mediante CG-EM los esteroles de la fracción insaponificable del aceite de R. regia, en la cual el â-sitosterol resultó el componente mayoritario. Estos resultados son una contribución al estudio de la composición química de dicho aceite y pudieran avalar su posible utilidad nutricional y seguridad

Introduction: sterols have been widely studied because of their pharmaceutical and nutritional importance. However, to our knowledge, the sterol composition of the oil from the Cuban Royal Palm fruits (Roystonea regia (Kunth) F. Cook), has not been yet identified Objectives: to determine by GC-MS the sterols that could be present in the unsaponifiable fraction of R. regia oil. Methods: samples of two batches of R. regia oil were subjected to the established procedure of the US Institute for Nutraceutical Advancement to determine sterols, which mainly consists of saponification with KOH/EtOH solution and a subsequent extraction of the unsaponifiable fractions by using n-hexane. These fractions were analyzed by GC-MS as TMS derivatives and they were identified by comparing their spectra with those of commercial available standards and with spectra of the Wiley mass spectrum library. Quantification was made by using cholestane as internal standard. Results: a total sterol content of 66.1percent was found in the unsaponifiable fraction of R. regia oil, which represents 0.14 percent from the oil. The sterol fraction was mainly composed of â-sitosterol (51.2 percent), stigmasterol (9.6 percent), campesterol (9.2 percent), 24-methylen-cycloartanol (9.2 percent), Ã5-avenasterol (8.9 percent) and cycloartanol (7.5 percent) in addition to other minor components such as cycloartenol, ?-sitosterol, and cholesterol. Conclusions: sterol compounds were identified and quantified by GC-MS in the unsaponifiable fraction of R. regia oil, in which the â-sitosterol was the predominant component. These results are a contribution to the chemical composition study of such oil and could support its possible nutritional usefulness and safety

phytochemical screening of some solanaceous plants phytosterol and fatty acid constituents of solanum elaeagnifolium and solanum nigrum in addition to pharmacological and antimicrobial investigation.

The phytochemical screening of 19 Solanaceous plant samples were performed. Alkaloids were detected in 13 samples, flavonoids in 6 samples, phytosterols, terpenoids were detected in 11 and 7 samples while, tannins only in 2 samples. The phytosterol and fatty acid constituents in the lipids contents of Solanum elaeagnifolium and Solanum nigrum were determined by GLC. Sqalene, stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol are the main constituents in the plant samples besides campasterol in the seeds and stems of S. elaeagnifolium. Palmitic and palmitoleic acids are the main constituents in both plant species beside stearic and linoleic acids in the seeds of S. nigrum. All the examined extracts of both S. elaeagnifolium and S. nigrum induced a minimal stimulatory effect when tested on isolated rabbit jejunum and moderate relaxant effect of both rate and amplitude on isolated heart. The antimicrobial activity of the examined extracts of the both plants shows activity against B. subtilis and higher activity against E. coli and S. aureus