Consumption Of Argan Oil Research Articles

Anti-inflammatory activity of argan oil and its minor components

Argan oil is thought to be the most expensive edible oil worldwide. It is difficult to produce and the argan tree only grows in a limited geographical area, notably Morocco and Algeria. Because it is produced by mechanical means, argan oil contains “minor” components that might be endowed with healthful effects. We investigated in vivo the anti-inflammatory activities of argan oil and its unsaponifiable fraction, using diclofenac as the control, in a carrageenan-induced rat model of inflammation. Rats were given different amounts of argan oil or its unsaponifiable fraction, by gavage. We report that argan oil and its “minor” components effectively lessen the inflammatory actions of carrageenan. Far from being “pharmacological” the actions of argan oil are comparable with those of diclofenac in the short, i.e. 4 h term. Sustained consumption of argan oil might, therefore, contribute to lessen the burden of degenerative diseases associated with higher inflammatory status.

Effectiveness of Argan Oil Consumption on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common chronic degenerative disorder. It causes joint pain, walking difficulties and a decline in general physical function. Many pain drugs and treatment modalities can be prescribed for KOA. Among traditional medicines in Morocco, Argan oil has been used in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis to reduce pain and improve physical activity, though there have been no medical-based evidence for such treatment. Argan oil is known to have anti-oxidant and lipid modulatory properties due to its content of many substances, such as tocopherols, phytosterols, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. This study was undertaken in order to investigate the effect of daily consumption of culinary argan oil on KOA symptoms. We conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial on patients with KOA according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. Patients were divided into 2 groups: argan oil group who received argan oil to be consumed every morning (30 ml per day) for 8 weeks and control group with no treatment. Clinical assessment before and after 8 weeks study was performed by several tests such as the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, walking perimeter, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC), and the Lequesne index. The study included 100 patients. 51 patients were randomly assigned to argan oilgroup while 49 patients were randomly assigned to control group with no treatment. Mean age of our patients was 58.24 ± 7.2 years, with a majority of women (93%). Following 8 weeks of argan oil consumption, argan oil group had a very significant decrease of VAS for pain (p< 0.0001), with a significant decrease in WOMAC pain index (p < 0.0001), and improvement of WOMAC function index (p < 0.0001). Lequesne index (p < 0.0001) as well as walking distance (p =0,002) significantly improved. When data of argan oil group were compared to those of control group, we found statistically significant differences in all the above measured parameters: VAS of pain (P=0,02), WOMAC pain (p<0,0001), WOMAC function (p<0,0001), walking distance (p=0,001) and lequesne index (p<0,0001). Patient's consumption of argan oil seems to be safe and efficacious in improving clinical symptoms of KOA.

Consumption of Argan Oil Improves Anti-Oxidant and Lipid Status in Hemodialysis Patients.

Virgin Argan oil (VAO) is of interest in oxidative stress and lipid profile because of its fat composition and antioxidant compounds. We investigated the effect of VAO consumption on lipid profile and antioxidant status in hemodialysis patients after a 4-week period of consumption. In a crossover, controlled trial, 37 patients (18 men, 19 women) with end-stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis, were randomly assigned to a 4-week VAO diet. Fasting plasma lipids, vitamin E and oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) were analyzed. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was determined before and after hemodialysis session. There was no significant change in serum total cholesterol and ox-LDL. However, VAO consumption decreased the levels of triglyceride (p = 0.03), total cholesterol (p = 0.02) and low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.03) and increased the levels of high-density lipoprotein (p = 0.01). Plasma vitamin E contents significantly increased from baseline only in VAO-group (p < 0.001). Hemodialysis session increased MDA levels, but the increase in VAO group was less than in control group. VAO consumption improved lipid profile and oxidative stress status in hemodialysis patients.

The effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity.

BackgroundDuring menopause, the decrease of estrogenic secretion induces the disruption of skin functioning, thus causing the decline in skin elasticity characteristic of skin aging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in postmenopausal women the effect of daily consumption and/or application of argan oil on skin elasticity.Materials and methodsSixty postmenopausal women consumed butter during the stabilization period and were randomly divided into two groups for the intervention period: the treatment group of 30 participants received dietary argan oil, the control group of 30 participants received olive oil, and both groups applied cosmetic argan oil in the left volar forearm during a 60-day period. Assessments of skin elasticity parameters, ie, the three R-parameters (R2 or gross-elasticity of the skin, R5 or net elasticity of the skin, and R7 or biological elasticity), and the resonance running time (RRT) at both volar forearms of the two groups were performed during three visits: before starting oils consumption and application, after 30 days of oils consumption and application, and after 60 days of oils consumption and application.ResultsThe consumption of argan oil led to a significant increase of gross-elasticity of the skin (R2) (P<0.001), net elasticity of the skin (R5) (P<0.001), biological elasticity (R7) (P<0.001), and a significant decrease of RRT (P=0.002). The application of argan oil led to a significant increase of gross-elasticity of the skin (R2) (P<0.001), net elasticity of the skin (R5) (P<0.001), biological elasticity (R7) (P=0.001), and a significant decrease of RRT (P<0.001).ConclusionOur findings suggest that the daily consumption and/or topical application of argan oil have an anti-aging effect on the skin demonstrated by the improvement of skin elasticity, characterized by an increase of R-parameters (R2, R5, and R7) and a decrease of RRT.

Skin hydration in postmenopausal women: argan oil benefit with oral and/or topical use.

The aim of this studyThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of daily consumption and/or application of argan oil on skin hydration in postmenopausal women.Material and methodsSixty postmenopausal women consumed butter during the stabilization period and were randomly divided into two groups for the intervention period: the treatment group absorbed alimentary argan oil (n = 30) and the control group olive oil (n = 30). Both groups applied cosmetic argan oil in the left volar forearm during a sixty days’ period. Evaluation of skin hydration, i.e. transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and water content of the epidermis (WCE) on both volar forearms of the two groups, were performed during three visits at D0, D30 and after sixty days (D60) of oils treatment.ResultsThe consumption of argan oil has led to a significant decrease in TEWL (p = 0.023) and a significant increase in WCE (p = 0.001). The application of argan oil has led to a significant decrease in TEWL (p = 0.01) and a significant increase in WCE (p < 0.001).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the daily consumption and application of argan oil have improved the skin hydration by restoring the barrier function and maintaining the water-holding capacity.

Argan oil prevents prothrombotic complications by lowering lipid levels and platelet aggregation, enhancing oxidative status in dyslipidemic patients from the area of Rabat (Morocco)

BackgroundIt is now established that patients with hyperlipidemia have a high risk of atherosclerosis and thrombotic complications, which are two important events responsible for the onset and progression of cardiovascular disease. In the context of managing dyslipidemia by means of dietary advice based on the consumption of argan oil, we wanted to investigate the effect of virgin argan oil on plasma lipids, and for the first time, on the platelet hyperactivation and oxidative status associated with dyslipidemia. This study concerns patients recruited in the area of Rabat in Morocco.Methods39 dyslipidemic (79% women) patients were recruited for our study in the area of Rabat in Morocco. They were randomly assigned to the two following groups: the argan group, in which the subjects consumed 25 mL/day of argan oil at breakfast for 3 weeks, and the control group in which argan oil was replaced by butter.ResultsAfter a 3-week consumption period, blood total cholesterol was significantly lower in the argan oil group, as was LDL cholesterol (23.8% and 25.6% lower, respectively). However, the HDL cholesterol level had increased by 26% at the end of the intervention period compared to baseline. Interestingly, in the argan oil group thrombin-induced platelet aggregation was lower, and oxidative status was enhanced as a result of lower platelet MDA and higher GPx activity, respectively.ConclusionsIn conclusion, our results, even if it is not representative of the Moroccan population, show that argan oil can prevent the prothrombotic complications associated with dyslipidemia, which are a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Argan Oil and Postmenopausal Moroccan Women: Impact on the Vitamin E Profile

Vitamin E supplements could be beneficial for postmenopausal women. To evaluate the effect of edible argan oil consumption on the antioxidant status of postmenopausal women, the vitamin E serum level of 151 menopausal women consuming either olive or argan oil was determined. Serum level of vitamin E was increased in the argan oil consumer group. Therefore, an argan oil-enriched diet can be recommended to help prevent some postmenopausal disorders.

The consumption of argan oil induces a lipid-lowering effect in dyslipidemic patients

To manage dyslipidemia using diet recommendations based on argan oil consumption, we were interested in studying, for the first time, the effect of argan oil consumption on plasma lipids in never-treated Moroccan dyslipidemic patients. Twenty-four dyslipidemic patients from the endocrinology department of University Hospital of Rabat (Morocco) were included in this interventional study. The study design consists to two diet periods. In the first diet period of 2 weeks, all patients consumed 20 g/day of butter in breakfast. In the second period of 3 weeks (nutritional intervention), all patients were randomized to two diet groups: one group of 15 patients in which the 20 g/day of butter was substituted by 25 ml/day of argan oil with toasted bread for breakfast. The second group of nine patients for whom, both argan oil and olive oil were removed from their diet while keeping the 20 g/day of butter for breakfast. During this period, all patients were placed under a lifestyle and diet recommended for the dyslipidemic patient as reported by the French Agency for Health Products Safety (AFSSAPS). Serum lipid [total cholesterol (total-chol), triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-chol) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-chol)] and anthropometric parameters were measured at the end of both periods. Both groups of patients have showed an improvement of lipid parameters in the end of the interventional period compared to the end of stabilization period by reducing total-chol and LDL-chol; and triglycerides and increasing HDL-chol. However, the change in atherogenic lipids was significantly different (P < 0.04) in the consumers group of argan oil compared to the control group; 30 versus 14% for total-chol, 46 versus 24.5% for triglycerides, 24 versus 15% for LDL-chol, respectively. While the increase in HDL-chol in consumers group of argan oil was different but not significantly compared to the control group; 17 versus 14% (P = 0.1). We have demonstrated for the first time that consumption of argan oil improves the lipid status in never-treated patients with dyslipidemia and can therefore be recommended in nutritional prevention in the management of dyslipidemia.

The consumption of argan oil induces a lipid-lowering effect in dyslipidemic patients

The consumption of argan oil induces a lipid-lowering effect in dyslipidemic patients

Argan Oil Exerts an Antiatherogenic Effect by Improving Lipids and Susceptibility of LDL to Oxidation in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

In this study, we investigate the effect of argan oil consumption on serum lipids, apolipoproteins (AI and B), CRP, and LDL susceptibility to oxidation in type 2 diabetic patients which are known to have a high level of cardiovascular risk due to lipid abnormalities and lipid peroxidation. For that, 86 type 2 diabetic patients with dyslipidemia were randomized to one group consuming 25 mL/day of argan oil during 3 weeks and control group consuming 20 g/day of butter in breakfast. After argan oil intervention, serum triglycerides decreased by 11.84%, (P = 0.001), total chol by 9.13%, (P = 0.01), and LDL-chol by 11.81%, (P = 0.02). However, HDL-chol and Apo AI increased (10.51%, P = 0.01 and 9.40%, P = 0.045, resp.). Susceptibility of LDL to lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced by increasing of 20.95%, (P = 0.038) in lag phase after argan oil consumption. In conclusion, we show for the first time that consumption of argan oil may have an antiatherogenic effect by improving lipids, and the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in type 2 diabetes patients with dyslipidemia, and can therefore be recommended in the nutritional management of type 2 diabetes.

Therapeutic potential of argan oil: a review

The therapeutic benefits of argan oil consumption have been claimed by natives of Morocco and explorers for more than eight centuries. However, argan oil has remained unresearched for a long time. Traditionally, argan oil has been well known for its cardioprotective properties and it is also used in the treatment of skin infections. Argan oil is principally composed of mono-unsaturated (up to 80%) and saturated (up to 20%) fatty acids. As minor components, it contains polyphenols, tocopherols, sterols, squalene, and triterpene alcohols. Together with the mono-unsaturated fatty acids, these minor components are likely to be responsible for its beneficial effects. This review aims to present an overview of the known pharmacological properties of argan oil. Antiproliferative, antidiabetic, and cardiovascular-protective effects of argan oil have been particularly actively evaluated over the last 5 years in order to build on phytochemical studies that indicate the presence of large amounts of possibly pharmacologically active compounds. This review shows that a lack of clinical data constitutes a serious weakness in our knowledge about argan oil, therefore it is difficult to correlate the reported pharmacological activities to any potential clinical relevance.

Should the Amazigh Diet (Regular and Moderate Argan-Oil Consumption) have a Beneficial Impact on Human Health?

Virgin argan oil, cosmetic or dietary grade, is prepared by cold-pressing the kernels of argan fruits. Both types of oil, traditionally used by the amazighs (the argan grove traditional dwellers), are now available on the shelves of the most-developed country stores. Argan oil contains a high level of oleic and linoleic acid and is also particularly rich in phenols. Since these metabolites are currently considered as essential to explain some of the protective effects against cancer and coronary heart disease attributed to other oils, similar effects can be expected from argan oil consumption as suggested by the amazigh medicine claims. Interestingly, argan oil content in γ -tocopherol is much higher than that of any other oils. γ -Tocopherol has recently been shown to possess strong chemopreventive and anti-inflammatory properties. This indicates that argan oil should readily find a place of choice amid the most profitable oils for human health. Because of its reduced geographical origin, the chemical composition (major as well as minor components) of argan oil is also highly reproducible. Therefore argan oil consumption should confer health benefits in a reliable and efficient manner.

Argan oil: from nutrition to health

The argan oil, extracted from argan-tree fruits, has been used in traditional medicine as a natural remedy for several centuries. Argan oil is traditionally used for skin, nail and hair care, cooking, massaging, and healing. Its chemical composition highlights the interest of many laboratories to use it in their best-selling products. The remarkable properties of the argan oil evaluated by numerous laboratories are: restoration of the skin water-lipid layer and an increase in nutrients in the skin cells, stimulation of intracellular oxygen, neutralization of free radicals, and protection of the conjunctive tissue. Recently, various studies were realized, in vitro or on human and animal models, suggesting that argan oil could play a beneficial role in cardiovascular disease prevention and its consumption could protect against atherosclerosis through a variety of biological mechanisms. It is because of its high contents of specific antioxidants and mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, that argan oil could be useful in preventing cardiovascular diseases and cancer. It has been demonstrated that consumption of argan oil is associated with a benefic change in serum lipids and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in healthy subjects. Its consumption could also increase antioxidant compounds in the serum of healthy men. Thus, the value of argan oil is of high priority as preventive nutritional approach to prevent the cardiovascular risk. Previous experimental studies have shown the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of polyphenols and sterols extracted from argan oil on prostate cancer cell lines. These data suggest that argan oil is of potential interest in developing new strategies for prostate cancer prevention. The current data give a unique value as natural source with high economic value to argan oil not only in Morocco but world wide.

Antidiabetic Activity Assessment of Argania spinosa Oil

Background: Argan or Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels, of the family sapotaceae which is an endemic species of the western south Morocco is used for its antidiabetic activity in local traditional medicine. All the parts of the plants are used to prepare remedies against various diseases. Recently, some studies suggest that Argan oil could play a beneficial role in cardiovascular diseases prevention.Aim: The goal of the present work is to show more evidences of the antidiabetic activity of Argan oil extracted from the almonds of Argan tree.Methods: In a first experiment, we tested the antihyperglycemiant effect on oral glucose tolerance test in healthy rats and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (60 mg/kg). In the second subchronic study, we tested the effect of the repeated oral administration of Argan oil (2 ml/kg during 15 days) on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Moreover, the effect of Argan oil on the intestinal glucose absorption was tested in a jejunum segment by the technique of the in situ perfusion.Results: In the OGTT experiment of healthy rats and diabetic rats, the intraperitoneal administration of Argan oil (2.5 ml/kg) 30 minutes before the oral glucose loading (1g/kg) induced a significant reduction of glycemia, at 60 minutes and the decrease was persistent until the end of experiments (180 min) when compared to controls. In the subchronic treatment, the results showed a significant improvement of body mass and a significant reduction of the glycemia (55 %, p&lt;0.001) at the end of experiment, when compared with untreated diabetic rats. Moreover, Argan oil reduced significantly (19.3 %, p&lt;0.05) the amount of absorbed glucose in perfused jejunum segment versus controls. This effect was less than that of acarbose (alpha-glucosidase inhibitor).Conclusion: The consumption of Argan oil as a traditional food has the potential to reduce hyperglycemia-induced pathogenesis. It also explains the basis for its traditional use by rural community of western south Morocco.

Consumption of argan oil may have an antiatherogenic effect by improving paraoxonase activities and antioxidant status: Intervention study in healthy men

Due to its high antioxidant and mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid content virgin argan oil (VAO) could play a beneficial role in cardiovascular prevention. We were therefore interested in determining whether the consumption of VAO could improve plasma paraoxonase (PON1) activities and antioxidant status in healthy men. Sixty young men were included in this interventional study. They were given a controlled diet for 2 weeks as baseline and then received 25 g/day of butter. The group was randomised to two diet group periods of 3 weeks each. The VAO group received 25 ml/day of oil and the extra virgin olive oil (EVO) group received the same quantity of EVO as control group. Plasma PON1 activities, antioxidant vitamins and LDL susceptibility to oxidation were measured. The analysis of the results shows that PON1 activities increase significantly in both groups and that lipoperoxides and conjugated dienes formation decreases significantly in VAO and EVO groups compared to baseline values (P=0.001 and P=0.014, respectively). Vitamin E concentration increases significantly only in VAO group (P=0.007). Susceptibility of LDL to lipid peroxidation shows a significant increase in lag phase and a significant decrease in maximum diene production in VAO (P=0.005) and EVO groups (P=0.041 and P=0.005, respectively). Our findings confirm the beneficial effect of EVO on plasma antioxidant status and show for the first time the same effect for VAO supplementation in man. Thus, VAO offers an additional natural food supplement to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Evidence of hypolipemiant and antioxidant properties of argan oil derived from the argan tree ( Argania spinosa)

Background: Virgin argan oil is of interest in cardiovascular risk prevention due to its fat composition and antioxidant compounds. Aims: We investigated with Moroccan subjects the effect of regular virgin argan oil consumption on lipid profile and antioxidant status and the in vitro effect of argan oil minor compounds (tocopherols, sterols and polyphenols) on LDL peroxidation. Design: Healthy subjects (20 men, 76 women) were studied. Sixty-two were regular consumers of argan oil and 34 were non-consumers. Methods: Fasting plasma lipids, antioxidant vitamins and LDL oxidation susceptibility were analyzed. In vitro LDL oxidation by phenolic and apolar compounds of virgin argan oil were performed. Results: Diet composition of argan oil consumers has a higher significant content of polyunsaturated fatty acids than that of non-consumers (8.8±1.0 vs. 6.6±0.9 g, P<0.05). Subjects consuming argan oil have lower levels of plasma LDL cholesterol (12.7%, P<0.05) and Lp(a) (25.3%, P<0.05) compared with the non-consumers. In argan oil consumers, plasma lipoperoxides were lower (58.3%, P<0.01) and molar ratio α-tocopherol/total cholesterol (21.6%, P<0.05) and α-tocopherol concentration (13.4%, P<0.05) were higher compared with the non-consumers group. In spite of higher levels of plasma antioxidant and lower levels of lipoperoxides in argan oil consumers, LDL oxidation susceptibility remained fairly similar. A strong positive correlation was observed between increasing phenolic extract, sterol and tocopherol concentrations and the LDL-Lag phase ( P<0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest for the first time that regular consumption of virgin argan oil induces a lowering of LDL cholesterol and has antioxidant properties. This oil offers an additional natural food to reducing cardiovascular risk.

Consumption of argan oil (Morocco) with its unique profile of fatty acids, tocopherols, squalene, sterols and phenolic compounds should confer valuable cancer chemopreventive effects.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fatty acids, tocopherols, squalene, sterols and phenolic antioxidants in three types of argan oil (Moroccan food, Moroccan aesthetic and a French commercial variety) along with a basic comparison with extra virgin olive and sunflower oil. The fatty acid profiles in the argan oils were very similar, with oleic acid (43%) and linoleic acid (36%) and their respective monoacylglycerols predominating. The major vitamer identified was -tocopherol with a mean of 483+/-11 mg/kg, in contrast to -tocopherol, which is the major vitamer in olive (190+/-1 mg/kg) and sunflower oil (532+/-6 mg/kg). The squalene content of the argan oils was very similar with a mean of 313+/-4 mg/100 g, which is lower than that of the olive oil (499 mg/100 g) but significantly higher than in the sunflower oil (6 mg/100 g). In contrast to olive and sunflower oils in which -sitosterol is predominant, the major sterols detected in the argan oils were schottenol (mean 147+/-10 mg/kg) and spinasterol (mean 122+/-10 mg/kg). The only phenolic compounds other than the tocopherol vitamers which could be readily detected and quantitated were vanillic, syringic and ferulic (probably conjugated to glucose) acids along with tyrosol. In contrast to the extra virgin olive oil (793 mg/kg), the concentration of total phenolic compounds is extremely low (<5.0 mg/kg). Nevertheless, argan oil with its high content of the vitamer -tocopherol, squalene and oleic acid is likely to enhance the cancer prevention effects of the Moroccan diet.