Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiables: A Panoply of Potentialities to Be Exploited.

Bahare Salehi,Amirreza Dowlati Beirami,Tinuccia Dettori,Anca Oana Docea,Farukh Sharopov,William C Cho,Natália Martins,Antonio Rescigno,Mohammed Bhia,Javad Sharifi-Rad,Laxman Singh,Beraat Özçelik,Fatma Cebeci,Daniela Calina

doi:10.3390/biom10010130

Abstract

Avocado and soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) constitute vegetable extracts made from fruits and seeds of avocado and soybean oil. Characterized by its potent anti-inflammatory effects, this ASU mixture is recommended to act as an adjuvant treatment for osteoarthritic pain and slow-acting symptomatic treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis; autoimmune diseases; diffuse scleroderma and scleroderma-like states (e.g., morphea, sclerodactyly, scleroderma in bands). Besides, it was reported that it can improve the mood and quality of life of postmenopausal women in reducing menopause-related symptoms. This article aims to summarize the studies on biological effects of the avocado–soybean unsaponifiable, its chemical composition, pharmacotherapy as well as applications in autoimmune, osteoarticular and menopausal disorders. Finally, we will also discuss on its safety, toxicological and regulatory practices.

Highlights

Avocado and soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) constitute vegetable extracts made from fruits and seeds of avocado and soybean oil
ASU is prepared in two steps: (i) obtain the avocado and soybean crude oils by cold pressing through mechanical procedures at temperatures below 50 ◦C; (ii) extraction of unsaponifiable lipids: molecular distillation of crude avocado and soybean oil, saponification, extraction, purification.The extraction methods normally used when lipids subjected to further characterization of the fat which called cold methods.Since the extraction conditions of these methods limit the oxidative processes of the lipidic fractionas much as possible, allowing one to preserve the original composition [15]
The many health benefits of ASU extract have meant that it has gained a huge importance as a natural alternative therapy for various medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis and autoimmune disorders, and acts as a natural therapeutic alternative to hormonal replacement therapy in the case of menopausal women

Summary

Introduction

Avocado and soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) constitute vegetable extracts made from fruits and seeds of avocado and soybean oil. It is mainly prepared in the ratio of 1:2, though many other ratios have been tested (i.e., 1:1; 1:3; 2:1) [1,2,3]. ASU is a complex mixture of avocado oil, containing polyols (15%), sterols (4% to 20%), long-chain saturated hydrocarbons (5%), squalene (2%), and tocopherols (in trace amounts). The key constituents in soybean oil contains mainly sterols (40% to 50%), tocopherols (10%), terpene alcohols (1% to 10%), methylsterols (

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