The effect of amaranth oil on autoantibodies in lupus prone mice

Background: Autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, can have severe impacts on quality of life. They are one of the leading causes of death for women in the United States. Distinguished by the body damaging its own tissues and organs, they are often classified and diagnosed based on autoantibody levels. Treatments often include immunosuppressant drugs, which can have adverse effects. Aim of Study: Amaranth is a good functional food candidate, possessing antioxidants, bioactive compounds, and a variety of health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol, and aiding diabetes and hypertension. Previous studies have largely focused on the grain or seed, but amaranth oil is less explored. This study examines whether orally administered amaranth oil had any effects on autoantibodies and splenic immune cell populations in murine subjects.Methods: Mice in the experimental group (n = 3) were given 4μl of amaranth oil per gram of mouse weight for 5 days a week over 84 days. Control mice (n = 2) were sham treated on the same schedule with no oil. To determine autoantibody levels, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were first conducted on wells pre-coated with double stranded DNA, single stranded DNA, histones, or double stranded DNA and then histones (nucleosomes). Autoantibody presence was quantified by measuring absorbance at 405nm. Splenic cell populations were examined with flow cytometry and compared using a student’s t-test. Results: Compared to the control group, the mice receiving amaranth oil showed decreased IgG and IgM histone autoantibody absorbance levels throughout the whole study. IgG dsDNA, ssDNA, and nucleosome autoantibody absorbances were lower than that of the control group for the first 42 days. IgM dsDNA, ssDNA, and nucleosome autoantibody absorbances were lower only for the first 14 days. There were no significant differences found amongst splenic immune cell populations between the control and experimental groups.Conclusion: These preliminary data show that amaranth oil may help decrease autoantibody levels in lupus prone murine subjects. However, given the small number of subjects in this study, further research is needed to confirm observed effects and determine the most effective dose and administration schedule. Keywords: autoantibody, IgG, IgM, histone, dsDNA, ssDNA, nucleosome, amaranth oil, immunoglobulin, lupus

The effect of amaranth oil on proteinuria in lupus prone mice

Background: Kidney disease is a leading cause of death in the United States and the world. Proteinuria signifies kidney damage and can exacerbate kidney disease. It has become an important indicator of kidney disease; reducing proteinuria results in renoprotective effects and slows renal disease. Existing treatments do not work for every patient. Aim of Study: Amaranth is a tropical plant that was regularly consumed in the ancient Central American diet. It has a plethora of health effects and is a strong functional food candidate. This study examines whether a regular oral dose of amaranth oil decreased proteinuria concentration in murine subjects. Methods: Mice in the experimental group (n = 3) were given 4μl of amaranth oil per gram of mouse weight for 5 days a week over 84 days. Control mice (n = 2) were sham treated on the same schedule with no oil. Urine protein concentration was determined by Bradford assay, measuring absorbance at 595nm, then comparing with a BSA standard curve. Results: The experimental group showed decreased proteinuria levels throughout the entire 84 days of study.Conclusion: Results show amaranth oil may help decrease proteinuria levels in lupus prone murine subjects. Given the small sample size, the data are preliminary. More research is needed to validate the results, and determine the optimal dose and treatment schedule. Key words: proteinuria, amaranth oil, renoprotective, kidney disease, renal disease, lupus, functional food

Comparison of the Effect of Amaranth Oil vs. Rapeseed Oil on Selected Atherosclerosis Markers in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized Double-Blind Cross-Over Trial

It is well known that rapeseed oil improves lipid profile and has antiatherosclerotic properties. Recently, amaranth oil has also become popular due to its potential health benefits. However, the effect of this oil on atherosclerosis markers in humans is not clear. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effect of amaranth and rapeseed oils on selected atherosclerosis-related parameters in overweight and obese subjects. In this randomized cross-over study, 44 subjects were instructed to consume 20 mL of amaranth oil and rapeseed oil during two consecutive three-week intervention periods separated by a washout period of the same duration as the intervention. The outcome variables included changes in tumor necrosis factor-alpha, adiponectin, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, apolipoproteins (Apo) A1, B and E as well as glucose and insulin homeostasis markers. Compared to rapeseed oil, amaranth oil had a slight positive effect on adiponectin levels (mean (95% confidence interval): 0.55 (0.22–0.89) vs. -0.29 (−0.75–0.16), p = 0.0002) but negatively affected ApoB concentrations (0.05 (−0.01–0.11) vs. 0.03 (−0.07–0.00), p = 0.0004) and ApoB/A1 ratio (0.01 (−0.03–0.05) vs. −0.02 (−0.04–0.00), p = 0.0113). No differences between the other analyzed parameters were observed. In conclusion, amaranth oil does not have a greater beneficial effect on atherosclerosis markers than rapeseed oil. However, further studies with a longer intervention period are needed. The study was retrospectively registered with the German Clinical Trials Register within the number: DRKS00014046, date of registration: 3 May 2018.

Liposomes Loaded with Unsaponifiable Matter from Amaranthus hypochondriacus as a Source of Squalene and Carrying Soybean Lunasin Inhibited Melanoma Cells

Amaranthus hypochondriacus is a source of molecules with reported health benefits such as antioxidant activity and cancer prevention. The objective of this research was to optimize the conditions for preparing a liposome formulation using amaranth unsaponifiable matter as a source of squalene in order to minimize the particle size and to maximize the encapsulation efficiency of liposomes for carrying and delivering soybean lunasin into melanoma cell lines. Amaranth oil was extracted using supercritical dioxide carbon extraction (55.2 MPa pressure, 80 °C temperature, solvent (CO2)-to-feed (oil) ratio of 20). The extracted oil from amaranth was used to obtain the unsaponifiable enriched content of squalene, which was incorporated into liposomes. A Box–Behnken response surface methodology design was used to optimize the liposome formulation containing the unsaponifiable matter, once liposomes were optimized. Soybean lunasin was loaded into the liposomes and tested on A-375 and B16-F10 melanoma cells. The squalene concentration in the extracted oil was 36.64 ± 0.64 g/ 100 g of oil. The particle size in liposomes was between 115.8 and 163.1 nm; the squalene encapsulation efficiency ranged from 33.14% to 76.08%. The optimized liposome formulation contained 15.27 mg of phospholipids and 1.1 mg of unsaponifiable matter. Cell viability was affected by the liposome formulation with a half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) equivalent to 225 μM in B16-F10 and 215 μM in A-375. The liposomes formulated with lunasin achieved 82.14 ± 3.34% lunasin encapsulation efficiency and improved efficacy by decreasing lunasin IC50 by 31.81% in B16-F10 and by 41.89% in A-375 compared with unencapsulated lunasin.

Low-Density Insulation Blocks and Hardboards from Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) Stems, a New Perspective for Building Applications

Nowadays, amaranth appears as a promising source of squalene of vegetable origin. Amaranth oil is indeed one of the most concentrated vegetable oils in squalene, i.e., up to 6% (w/w). This triterpene is highly appreciated in cosmetology, especially for the formulation of moisturizing creams. It is almost exclusively extracted from the liver of sharks, causing their overfishing. Thus, providing a squalene of renewable origin is a major challenge for the cosmetic industry. The amaranth plant has thus experienced renewed interest in recent years. In addition to the seeds, a stem is also produced during cultivation. Representing up to 80% (w/w) of the plant aerial part, it is composed of a ligneous fraction, the bark, on its periphery, and a pith in its middle. In this study, a fractionation process was developed to separate bark and pith. These two fractions were then used to produce renewable materials for building applications. On the one hand, the bark was used to produce hardboards, with the deoiled seeds acting as natural binder. Such boards are a viable alternative to commercial wood-based panels. On the other hand, the pith was transformed into cohesive and machinable low-density insulation blocks revealing a low thermal conductivity value.

Scientific and practical approaches to the development of new-generation confectionery products

A modern progressive direction in the development of confectionery production is the creation of new resource-saving technologies and the development of flour confectionery products with a reduced energy value based on the use of various types of non-traditional and local raw materials. The application of oilseed cake in the food industry makes it possible to enrich products chemical composition with proteins, lipids, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. The use of amaranth oil cake as a dry component allows the biological value increase, as it is characterized by a high content of easily digestible protein (18-20%) containing all essential amino acids in sufficient quantities. Recently, special attention has been paid to the introduction of animal fats to the food industry. Bone fat occupies a special place among them. It is produced from bones, regardless of the type of meat from which they were obtained. The application of bone fat allows to enrich foods with polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as improve the ?-3 / ?-6 ratio of fatty acids in the diet. Taking into account the traditional technology, as well as the properties of amaranth cake and bone fat, the recipe for "Mayachok" gingerbread was developed to adjust chemical and fatty acid composition. The recipe for custard gingerbread with the addition of 15% amaranth oil cake and 11% bone fat to the flour mass in the dough improves organoleptic and physicochemical indicators; to increase their biological value (by 24.5%); to obtain products with the most balanced amino acid composition (amino acid rate for lysine is 44.5%); to balance the ?-3 / ?-6 ratio of fatty acids; to increase the calcium content in products and to normalize its ratio with magnesium and phosphorus - Ca: Mg: P - 1: 0.65: 1.65. The components added improve the structural and mechanical properties of the choux pastry, such as plasticity, elasticity, absorptivity.

SAFETY AND QUALITY INDICES OF VEGETABLE OILS, THE USE OF AMARANTH OIL AS A FUNCTIONAL COMPONENT FOR BUTTER

The article presents the results of studies of vegetable oils on safety indices, the rationality of using amaranth oil as a functional component to butter is established. The evaluation of prototypes with the addition of amaranth oil was carried out, their guaranteed quality was established throughout the entire shelf life.

Metabolism state in laboratory rats when using amaranth oil and Humilid

The search for new natural non-toxic biologically active substances for animals used to correct and stimulate metabolic processes, and through it the ability to control the growth and animals’ productivity, the state of their natural resistance is the main task of the present. The paper presents study results on the effect of cold-pressed amaranth oil and biologically active additive of humic nature «Humilid» when used simultaneously on the general body condition, growth indicators of laboratory rats, morphofunctional and biochemical parameters of their blood. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were set: – to investigate how cold-pressed amaranth oil affects the metabolic processes in the body of laboratory rats; – to conduct research and analyze the effect of the cold-pressed amaranth oil and a humic nature biologically active substance «Humilid» simultaneous use on the indicators of their homeostasis. To accomplish the tasks, the following research methods were used: physiological, morpho-functional, and blood biochemical analysis in experimental laboratory rats. Sexually mature male white rats of 2 months age were used in the experiment. For the study, three groups of animals were formed. The experiment lasted four weeks, during which the animals of the first experimental group received daily, in addition to the main feed settled amaranth oil in the amount of 0.1 ml per rat, and free access to the drinking water. Rats of the second experimental group in addition to the main feed received settled amaranth oil in the amount of 0.1 ml, and free access to the drinking of 0.005% solution Humilid. It was found that the simultaneous use of cold-pressed amaranth oil and Humilid in laboratory rats had a positive effect on the state of erythron, erythrocytes count increased by an average of 28% (P < 0.001), hemoglobin concentration by 10% (P < 0.05). At the same time in animals the biosynthetic function of the liver improved, the total protein content in the blood significantly increased by 10% (P < 0.05), and the amount of albumin by 25% (P < 0.01). Energy processes in the body of experimental animals were increased, that pointed a decrease in blood glucose levels by 22% (P < 0.05). The obtained data obtained indicates that the simultaneous use of amaranth oil and Humilid had a positive effect on the state of homeostasis and metabolic processes in the body of laboratory rats. Thus for them synergistic action is noted.