Polyphenolic extracts of walnut (Juglans regia) green husk containing juglone inhibit the growth of HL-60 cells and induce apoptosis

BACKGROUND: Juglone is a naphthoquinone currently obtained by chemical synthesis with biological activities including antitumor activity. Additionally, juglone is present in the green husk of walnut, which suggests evaluating the effect of GH extracts on carcinogenic cell lines. RESULTS: Walnut green husk ethanolic extract was obtained as 169.1 mg juglone/100 g Green Husk and antioxidant activity (ORAC) of 44,920 µmol Trolox Equivalent/100 g DW Green Husk. At 1 µM juglone in HL-60 cell culture, green husk extract showed an antiproliferative effect, but pure juglone did not; under these conditions, normal fibroblast cells were not affected. A dose-dependent effect on mitochondrial membrane potential loss was observed. Apoptosis of HL-60 was detected at 10 µM juglone. Despite high ORAC values, neither purified juglone nor the extract showed protective effects on HL-60 cells under oxidative conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Green husk extract generates an antiproliferative effect in HL-60 cells, which is related to an induction of the early stages of apoptosis and a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The normal cells were not affected when juglone is present at concentrations of 1 µM, while at higher concentrations, there is loss of viability of both cancerous and healthy cells.

Biochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of walnut kernel (Juglans regiaL. ) of accessions from Middle and High Atlas in Morocco

Biochemical composition and antioxidant activity were determined in kernel nuts for eleven Moroccan walnut (Juglans regia L.) accessions representing its main cropping area. Total oil, carbohydrates, crude protein, energy value, crude fiber and flavonoid have varied significantly between accessions, respectively within the range values of 54.50-65.48%, 8.17-19.25%, 11.5-25.58%,648.91-713.83 Kcal, 4.17-6.75% and 12.59-62.11mg RE 100g-1DM. Besides, mineral composition (mg 100g-1) of kernel have varied also significantly among accessions and particularly for phosphorus (338.1-675.87), copper (2.08-6.67), zinc (3.39-18.63), iron (1.17-2.64), chromium (0.16-0.20), nickel (1.26-1.45) and boron (0.07-1.49). However, dry matter (96.75-98.56%), moisture (1.44-3.24%), ash (1.67-2.53%), total phenols content (1017-3739 mg GAE 100g-1DM), DPPH radical scavenging activity (75.02-85.96%), potassium (210.10-338.93 mg 100g-1), magnesium (79.15-374.54 mg 100g-1), sodium (1.17-12.63 mg 100g-1) and manganese (0.79-1.67 mg 100g-1) did not show significant variations between accessions. Furthermore, the results showed that Moroccan walnut constitutes an important source of nutrient elements, essentially fat, carbohydrates, protein, phosphorus and zinc, and natural antioxidants, phenolic compounds. Accordingly, consumption of all studied kernels accessions would be beneficial to health. This study showed considerable biochemical variation between the analyzed walnut accessions, which could help to select genotypeswith desired traitsaccording to their chemotypes.

Effect of Cooking on Proximate, Phytochemical Constituents and Hematological Parameters of Tetracarpidium conophorum in Male Albino Rats.

Aims: To determine the effect of cooking on proximate, phytochemical constituents and their changes in hematological parameters. Study Design: Determination of proximate and quantitative phytochemical constituents of the cooked and raw T. conophorum (CTC and RTC respectively) nut and the effect of the nut on the hematological indices on male albino rats fed with the cooked and raw diet formulations of the nut for 30 days period. Methodology: Rats were divided into six groups of five rats each. Each feed and walnut was weighed and mixed in the ratio of 1:1 before administration. Group A: Normal animal feed, Group B: Mixture of animal feed and cooked nut (ratio of 1:1). Group C: Mixture of animal feed and the raw nut (ratio of 1:1), Group D: 100% of the cooked nut, Group E: 100% of the raw nut while Group F: Mixture of raw nut and cooked (ratio of 1:1). Result: The result showed that crude protein, carbohydrate and crude fibre contents of RTC were significantly higher (P<0.05) than the CTC. While the percentage moisture, fat and ash content of the CTC were significantly higher than the RTC. The quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the alkaloid and flavonoid contents of RTC and CTC. Tannin, saponin, glycosides, hydrogen cyanide and steroid contents of RTC were significantly higher (P<0.05) than the CTC while terpenoid content of the CTC was significantly higher (P<0.05) than of the the RTC. The hemoglobin values showed no significant difference between the test groups and control group. The neutrophil values of group E and F were significantly higher (P<0.05) when compared with the control group. Rats in group E had a significant decrease (P<0.05) in lymphocyte value as against the control. Total WBC levels in group B, C and F recorded a significant decrease (P<0.05) when compared with the control. Conclusion: The study suggests that processing cooking affects some nutrient constituents and some hematological parameters.

The effect of walnut on the weight, blood glucose and sex hormones of diabetic male rats / Efecto del nogal sobre el peso, glucosa en la sangre y hormonas sexuales de ratas macho diabéticas

Diabetes leads to reproductive dysfunctions by producing free radicals. It seems that using walnut can be effective in the damage induced by diabetes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of walnut consumption on sex hormones in diabetic Wistar male rats induced by STZ (streptozotocin). Diabetes animals were induced by STZ (60 mg/kg). Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=6), including normal diet and healthy (Sham), Diabetic by normal diet (control) and diabetic by 6, 9 and 12% walnut in their diet (experimental groups), and were examined for 6 weeks. Body weight, blood glucose (3 times), and sex hormones (testosterone, FSH and LH) were measured. Overall, in terms of the mean index, there was a significant difference in the percentage of weight changes between the groups (p<0.001). Blood glucose (3 times) significantly increased in experimental and control groups in comparison with sham group (p<0.001). FSH concentration significantly decreased in control group (p<0.05) and testosterone hormone decreased in experimental and control groups compared to sham group (p<0.05). Oral administration of walnut seems to prevent severe weight loss in the experimental models of diabetic rats and exerts appropriate and useful changes in blood glucose level as well as positive effects on the secretion of sex hormones.

La diabetes conduce a disfunciones reproductivas mediante la producción de radicales libres. Parece que el uso del nogal puede ser eficaz para contrarestar el daño inducido por la diabetes. El objetivo fue evaluar los efectos del consumo de nueces sobre las hormonas sexuales en ratas Wistar macho diabéticas, inducidas por estreptozotocina (STZ). La diabetes en los animales fue inducida por STZ (60 mg/kg). Los animales fueron divididos aleatoriamente en 5 grupos (n= 6 ): saludable con dieta normal (Sham), diabéticos con dieta normal (control) y diabéticos con consumo de nogal en 6, 9 y 12% en su dieta (grupos experimentales), quienes se examinaron durante 6 semanas, donde se midieron el peso corporal, glucosa en la sangre (3 veces) y hormonas sexuales (testosterona , FSH y LH). En general, en términos del índice promedio, hubo una diferencia significativa en el porcentaje de cambios de peso entre los grupos (p<0,001). La glucosa en sangre aumentó significativamente en los grupos experimentales y de control en comparación con el grupo Sham (p<0,001). La concentración de FSH se redujo significativamente en el grupo control (p<0,05); la testosterona disminuyó en los grupos experimentales y control en comparación con el grupo sham (p<0,05). La administración oral de nogal parece prevenir la pérdida severa de peso en los modelos experimentales de ratas diabéticas y ejerce cambios apropiados y útiles en el nivel de glucosa en la sangre, así como efectos positivos sobre la secreción de hormonas sexuales.