Salvia hispanica L. (chia) seeds oil extracts reduce lipid accumulation and produce stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans

Cristiane Freitas Rodrigues,Cristiane Casagrande Dernadin,Daiana Silva Ávila,Tatiana Emanuelli,Robson Luiz Puntel,Willian Salgueiro,Juliana Cristina Veit,Matheus Bianchini

doi:10.1186/s12986-018-0317-4

Cristiane Freitas Rodrigues, Cristiane Casagrande Dernadin + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-018-0317-4

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Abstract

BackgroundSalvia hispanica seeds have been commonly used by people that seek healthy habits through natural foods to reduce cholesterol and triacylglycerides levels, however, the evidences that support this assumption are still scarce in literature. Here, we aimed to evaluate the lipid lowering effects of chia by using Caenorhabditis elegans as animal model, a nematode that has proven its usefulness for lipid metabolism studies.MethodsWe prepared hexane (HE) and Bligh-Dyer (BDE) extracts, evaluated and compared their safety, antioxidant potential and their lipid-lowering activity in the worms.ResultsThe characterization of both extracts demonstrated that there were no differences in their lipid composition; however, BDE depicted better antioxidant potential. Both extracts reduced worm’s survival from 2%, and reproduction was reduced following treatment with both extracts, though a more notable effect was observed in HE-treated worms. In addition, the non-toxic concentration of both extracts (1%) increased stress resistance against paraquat toxicity in an antidote paradigm. Notably, this same concentration of both extracts reduced lipid accumulation in obese worms, which was not caused by food deprivation.ConclusionsTaken together, our data demonstrate that both extraction methods from chia seeds result in oils that are rich in mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may modulate lipid accumulation and provide antioxidant resistance in C. elegans.

Highlights

Major current health problems have been associated with increasing obesity in the population
The analysis demonstrated that both extracts resulted in good sources of Saturated fatty acids (SFA) but mainly Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), ω − 3 alphalinolenic acid and and ω-6 linoleic acid
BDE showed a higher antioxidant activity, as the IC50 was lower than the one found for HE (Table 2). This antioxidant potential of BDE was observed in relation to Fe-reducing ability power; both extracts exhibited a significant reducing potential when compared to the control (FeSO4), BDE was significantly higher

Summary

Introduction

Major current health problems have been associated with increasing obesity in the population. Chia seeds are composed of proteins (15–25%), fats (30–33%), carbohydrates (26–41%), high dietary fibers (18–30%), ashes (4–5%) and vitamins [9] They contain a high amount of antioxidants, such as myricetin, quercetin, kaempherol, and caffeic acid, which makes the oil quite stable despite of its high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content [10]. A study with overweight adults reported that 25 g of chia seeds consumption for 12 weeks did not promote weight loss or improved in risk factors endpoints [15]. Considering these contradictory reports in scientific literature, the safety and effectiveness of chia seeds are not completely proved. We aimed to evaluate the lipid lowering effects of chia by using Caenorhabditis elegans as animal model, a nematode that has proven its usefulness for lipid metabolism studies

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