Hypocholesterolemic effect of amaranth seeds (Amaranthus esculantus)

Chaturvedi, Anurag; Sarojini, G.; Devi, N. Lakshmi

doi:10.1007/bf01088483

Cited by 55 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The inclusion of certain components in the diet e.g. fish oil, sunflower, palm, soybean and flax oils, barley, oat bran, amaranth results in the drop of blood CHOL level (Chaturvedi et al, 1993;Qureshi et al, 1996;An et al, 1997;Grajeta, 1999;Castillo et al, 2000). This effect on CHOL level is ascribed to the presence of polyunsaturated fa�y acids (Skrivan et al, 2000;Newman et al, 2002), and in the case of amaranth it is due to the presence of tocotrienols and squalene or β-glucans (Qureshi et al, 1996;Kalač and Moudrý, 2000).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of amaranth grain in diets for broiler chickens and its effect on performance and selected biochemical indicators

Roučková¹,

Trčková²,

Herzig³

2004

Czech J. Anim. Sci.

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In the Czech Republic, meat-and-bone meals are banned ingredients in the manufacture of feeds for farm animals. Therefore alternative sources providing proteins, limiting amino acids and energy in the ration have to be found. Out of vegetable protein feeds, rape, soybean, peanut and legumes are especially considered, and to a lesser extent other oil plants and products of the oil industry, i.e. oil cakes or extracted meals. Certain limitations of use exist in all the above-mentioned feeds, e.g. in connection with the content of antinutritional substances (erucic acid and glucosinolates), moulds and their toxic products, etc. (Herzig, 2001).Among plants that meet the requirements for feeds that replace meat-and-bone meals, amaranth and its products appear to be suitable, being classified as pseudocereals. The genus Amaranthus (L) belongs to the family Amaranthaceae and includes more than 60 species. Under our conditions, three grain species Amaranthus cruentus, Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Amaranthus caudatus are of importance. The genotypes suitable for cultivation in the Czech Republic, environmental requirements and technological conditions under which the plants can be grown are already well known. Experience obtained in the cultivation of amaranth to date has shown that field yields range from 0.6 to 2.4 t/ha (Jarošová et al., 1997).Amaranth has a high nutritional value. The dry ma�er of amaranth grain contains 12.6 to 18.0% of proteins, 5 to 8% of fat, 60 to 65% of saccharides, and 3 to 5% of crude fibre (Cole, 1979;Bressani et al., 1993;Yanez et al., 1994). The advantage of amaranth grains compared to conventional cereals is a relatively high content of proteins and more balanced amino acid composition. Amaranth grain is ABSTRACT:The objective of our experiment was to test the possibility of using amaranth grain, either heat-treated (AO) or without treatment (AN), in vegetable diets for broilers as a substitution for meat-and-bone meals. The effect of amaranth on performance and selected biochemical parameters was investigated. The groups of chickens fed with amaranth obtained comparable results in all characteristics with the control group whose diet included a component of animal origin. We did not observe any statistical differences in live weights of monitored groups of chickens on day 41 (Kab 2 149.9 ± 274.3; ANab 2 192.2 ± 255.2; AOab 2 186.2 ± 260.8 g). Feed conversion ranged from 1.9 kg in the control group of hens to 2.2 kg in the experimental group of cocks AOa. Carcass yield was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the control group compared to the group AN. Biochemical characteristics, i.e. the concentrations of proteins, total lipids, cholesterol and glucose in blood sera of broiler chickens were monitored. The inclusion of amaranth in the rations of experimental groups had no effect on protein concentrations compared to the control group. The hypocholesteraemic and hypolipidaemic effects of amaranth grain, as mentioned in the literature, were not confirmed in our experiment. Glucose levels w...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of amaranth grain in diets for broiler chickens and its effect on performance and selected biochemical indicators

Roučková¹,

Trčková²,

Herzig³

2004

Czech J. Anim. Sci.

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“…7,8) Diabetes is a major risk factor for premature atherosclerosis, and oxidative stress plays an important role. In fact, diabetic monocytes produce increased superoxide anion (O 2 Ϫ ).…”

Section: )mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…5) Recent studies have demonstrated a variety of important and unique nutraceutical type applications for grain amaranth, 6) including its use as an adjunct to lower blood glucose response in non-insulin-dependent diabetics and in other applications to lower blood serum cholesterol levels. 7,8) Diabetes is a major risk factor for premature atherosclerosis, and oxidative stress plays an important role. In fact, diabetic monocytes produce increased superoxide anion (O 2 Ϫ ).…”

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confidence: 99%

In Vitro Antioxidant Effect and Inhibition of .ALPHA.-Amylase of Two Varieties of Amaranthus caudatus Seeds

Conforti

Statti

Loizzo

et al. 2005

Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin

120

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Amaranth is a herbaceous annual growing to 15-100 cm tall. It was once nearly as important a food as maize and beans in Central and South America. The Amaranthus plants (Amaranthaceae) are spread throughout the world, growing under a wide range of climatic conditions and they are able to produce grains and leafy edible vegetables.1) Nutritionally, amaranth grain has a 2 to 3 times higher biological value than common cereal grains, while containing substantially higher levels of protein with 2-3 times higher lysine content.2) Due to its nutritional attributes, amaranth grain is presently being exploited by food manufacturers, both in the United States and abroad, in a variety of thermally processed foods, especially confectionery, cereal and bakery 3) products, and has shown potential for use in infant formulas. 4)Current industrial and public interest in the use of amaranth grain has not only been linked to its recognized nutritional properties, but also to its potential beneficial use as a therapeutic adjunct in diets for hypercholesterolemic susceptible individuals.5) Recent studies have demonstrated a variety of important and unique nutraceutical type applications for grain amaranth, 6) including its use as an adjunct to lower blood glucose response in non-insulin-dependent diabetics and in other applications to lower blood serum cholesterol levels. 7,8) Diabetes is a major risk factor for premature atherosclerosis, and oxidative stress plays an important role. In fact, diabetic monocytes produce increased superoxide anion (O 2 Ϫ ). 9)Over the centuries, herbal drugs have served as a major source of medicines for the prevention and treatment of diseases including diabetes mellitus. It is estimated that more than 200 species of plants exhibit hypoglycaemic properties, including many common plants, such as pumpkin, wheat, celery, wax gourd, lotus root and bitter melon but the basis of this activity is frequently not investigated. 10)Synthetic hypoglycaemic agents can produce serious side effects and are not suitable for use during pregnancy. 11)Therefore, the search for more effective and safer hypoglycaemic compounds has continued to be an important area of active research, and after the recommendations made by WHO on diabetes mellitus, 12) research on hypoglycaemic compounds from medicinal plants has become an important aspect of this project.In the present study two varieties of Amaranthus caudatus (Oscar blanco and Victor red) were investigated with the aim of characterizing the plants for their biological activities, antioxidant and antidiabetic, and oil, squalene and phenolic contents. MATERIALS AND METHODS ChemicalsThe following chemicals were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich S.p.a. (Milano, Italy): squalene, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), phosphate buffered saline (PBS), bovine brain extract, FeCl 3 , ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), propyl gallate, potato starch, sodium phosphate buffer, sodium chloride, a-amylase, sodium potassium tartrate and 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid. Methanol, ethanol, ethyl a...

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“…It is rich in protein, fat, dietary fi ber and minerals, especially calcium and iron, and contains a higher amount of lysine than conventional cereals [8] . Some studies with amaranth suggest that it exhibits a hypocholesterolemic effect [9,10] , and the cholesterol-lowering effect was attributed to the unsaturated fatty acids [9] or the fraction of fi ber other than the soluble portion [11] . Recently, we have reported that amaranth oil (AO) and squalene isolated from AO exhibited a marked cholesterol-lowering effect presumably via increased excretions of cholesterol and bile acid in hypercholesterolemic rats [12] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improvement of Lipid Profile by Amaranth <i>(Amaranthus esculantus)</i> Supplementation in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Kim

Shin

2006

Ann Nutr Metab

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Background/Aims: Lipid disorders may exacerbate some complications of diabetes. Amaranth has been reported to exhibit a cholesterol-lowering effect in hyperlipidemic animals. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of amaranth on serum glucose and the lipid profile in diabetic rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to normal control, diabetic control, diabetic amaranth-grain (AG)-supplemented (500 g/kg diet) and diabetic amaranth-oil (AO)-supplemented (90 g/kg diet) groups and fed experimental diets for 3 weeks. Effects were monitored on glucose tolerance, serum and liver lipids, and fecal excretions of lipids and bile acids. Results: Fasting serum glucose levels and the glucose tolerance of diabetic rats were improved by AG and AO supplementation. Serum and liver lipids such as total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were also lowered in diabetic animals by AG and AO consumption. Fecal excretions of cholesterol, TG and bile acid were markedly reduced in diabetic rats, and these parameters were dramatically increased by AG and AO supplementation. Conclusion: AG and AO supplementation improve the glucose and lipid metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

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Hypocholesterolemic effect of amaranth seeds (Amaranthus esculantus)

Cited by 55 publications

References 11 publications

The use of amaranth grain in diets for broiler chickens and its effect on performance and selected biochemical indicators

The use of amaranth grain in diets for broiler chickens and its effect on performance and selected biochemical indicators

In Vitro Antioxidant Effect and Inhibition of .ALPHA.-Amylase of Two Varieties of Amaranthus caudatus Seeds

Improvement of Lipid Profile by Amaranth <i>(Amaranthus esculantus)</i> Supplementation in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

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