Walnut extract (Juglans regia L.) and its component ellagic acid exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in human aorta endothelial cells and osteoblastic activity in the cell line KS483

Abstract

Epidemiological studies suggest that the incidence of CVD and postmenopausal osteoporosis is low in the Mediterranean area, where herbs and nuts, among others, play an important role in nutrition. In the present study, we sought a role of walnuts (Juglans regia L.) in endothelial and bonecell function. As the endothelial cell expression of adhesion molecules has been recognised as an early step in inflammation and atherogenesis, we examined the effect of walnut methanolic extract and ellagic acid, one of its major polyphenolic components (as shown by HPLC analysis), on the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 in human aortic endothelial cells. After incubating the cells with TNF-a (1 ng/ml) in the absence and in the presence of walnut extract (10-200 mg/ml) or ellagic acid (10 27 -10 25 M), the VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression was quantified by cell-ELISA. We further evaluated the effect of walnut extract (10 -50 mg/ml), in comparison with ellagic acid (10 29 -10 26 M), on nodule formation in the osteoblastic cell line KS483.Walnut extract and ellagic acid decreased significantly the TNF-a-induced endothelial expression of both VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 (P, 0·01; P,0·001). Both walnut extract (at 10-25 mg/ml) and ellagic acid (at 10 29 -10 28 M) induced nodule formation in KS483 osteoblasts. The present results suggest that the walnut extract has a high anti-atherogenic potential and a remarkable osteoblastic activity, an effect mediated, at least in part, by its major component ellagic acid. Such findings implicate the beneficial effect of a walnut-enriched diet on cardioprotection and bone loss.

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted hydroalcoholic extraction of phenolic compounds from walnut leaves using response surface methodology

“…Some studies suggested that walnut extracts have a high antiatherogenic potential and a remarkable osteoblastic activity, an effect mediated, at least in part, by its major component ellagic acid. Such findings implicate the beneficial effect of a walnut-enriched diet on cardioprotection and bone loss (Papoutsi et al 2008;Larrosa et al 2010).…”

Health Benefits of Nut Consumption

“…First, as discussed, walnuts are the only nuts that contain substantial amounts of ALA, which is described as one of the more anti-inflammatory fatty acids [109,110]. And second, walnuts are also particularly rich in the phenolic compound ellagic acid, which has shown potent anti-inflammatory properties in experimental studies [111,112]. Nevertheless, plasma levels of CRP, a standard measure of systemic low-grade inflammation, were usually unaffected in controlled feeding trials with almonds, walnuts, or mixed nuts, as reviewed up to 2008 [21].…”

Study of Nuts and Dried Fruits Consumption in Adolescents in Relation to Risk of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

“…Walnuts have more anti-inflammatory effects than other nuts for two reasons; Firstly, because they are the only nuts that contain substantial amounts of ALA, which is known as one of the more anti-inflammatory fatty acids [35,36], and secondly, they are also particularly rich in the phenolic ellagic acid, which has shown potent anti-inflammatory properties in experimental studies [37,38].…”