Pistacia Vera: Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Activities (Pistachio Nuts)

Pistacia vera: chemical composition and pharmacological activities (Pistachio nuts)

EL BAIRI Khalid 1,2, JADDA Hajar 3 , TERKMANE Chahinez 4 1 :Independent research team in cancer biology and bioactive compounds – University Mohamed First –Oujda 2 : Faculty of medicine and pharmacy of Oujda –Morocco ([email protected]) 3: Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Sciences Rabat-Morocco ([email protected]) 4:Ethnobotany laboratory and Plant Biotechnology-Abderrahmane Mira University of Bejaia(Faculty of natural sciences and life) -Department of Physico-Chemical Biology / Algeria EL BAIRI KHALID , MD Abstract : Independent research team in Cancer Biology The pistachio is a nutrient-dense nut with a heart healthy fatty-acid profile and bioactive compounds- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy University of Mohamed First as well as protein, dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin K, g- Oujda- Morocco tocopherol, and a number of phytochemicals. E-mail: [email protected] this particular composition makes this dry fruit a fabulous way to prevent Tel: (+ 212) 648 83 08 11 cardiovascular disease. the details of these pharmacological activities will http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Khalid_El be discussed in this review of the literature. _Bairi4

Introduction : Methods : The pistachio is a dry fruit produced by a of proteins and 13% of carbohydrates. It is a mediterranean shrub, the real (Pistacia vera L.) source of potassium, copper, magnesium and A bibliographic investigation was carried out by analysing belongs to the family Anacardiaceae. Is native of iron. recognized peer-reviewed papers, consulting worldwide aride zones of Central and west Asia and accepted scientific databases from the last decade (Scopus, distributed throughout the Mediterranean basin. various pharmacological activities very recently Embase, MEDLINE/PubMed, Springerlink and SciELO and studied in experimental works and in clinical Scholar databases) using medical subject heading terms and For several years, special attention was given to trials to evaluate this effects on human health. the words: ‘Pistacia vera’, ’Pistacio nuts’,’chemical food consumption of nuts (almonds, pistachios, composition’,'anticancer',’antiinflammatory’,’antidiabetic’,'ant etc.) because of their high content of Numerous studies have demonstrated beneficial iproliferative', 'antioxydative', and 'cytotoxic', to identify unsaturated fatty acids and thus their l beneficial effects of regular consumption of pistachios on relevant articles. effects on cardiovascular function and lipidic glycemic profile, lipid and oxidative stress profile in individuals with high risk of coronary parameters. We read the titles and abstracts of all articles in an initial heart disease (N.P. Seeram et al 2006 and F.B. Hu screen, obtaining full text unless there was clear evidence et al ,2002) . The purpose of this study is to gather all that the article would not be eligible. In the present study, available data about the pharmacological interest is focused on experimental research and clinical It contains about 50% of fat products, 83% activities of pistachios. trials. composed of unsaturated acids, and about 23% Results and discussion

In vitro investigations Clinical trials

1- Chemical composition :

2-Antioxydative activity : -Antonio Tomaino and coworkers have been demonstrated that the excellent

antioxidant activity of pistachio skins that could be explained by the high content Exploratory clinical studies suggest that pistachios help maintain healthy antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, glycemic of antioxidant compounds. The pistachio skin could be primarily responsible for control, and endothelial function. When consumed in moderation, pistachios may help control body weight because of their satiety and satiation effects and their reduced net metabolizable energy content. One study with subjects in a weight-loss program the high antioxidant activity of whole pistachio nuts. Briefly, due to their better demonstrated lower body mass index and triglyceride levels in individuals who consumed pistachios compared with those who nutritional and health profile, unpeeled pistachios should be preferred to the consumed an isocaloric pretzel snack. peeled ones in the human diet both if consumed as whole and if used in processed foods. References : Conclusion : 1-N.P. Seeram, Y. Zhang, S.M. Henning, R. Lee, Y. Niu, G. Lin, D. Heber, Pistachio skin phenolics are Pistachios are nutrient-dense nuts that contain a Five published randomized clinical studies have destroyed by bleaching resulting in reduced antioxidative capacities. J. Agric. Food Chem. 54 (19) heart-healthy fatty-acid profile, protein, dietary shown that pistachios have a beneficial effect on (2006) 7036e7040. fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin K,g- blood lipid profiles. 2-F.B. Hu, W.C. Willett, Optimal diets for prevention of coronary heart disease. J. Am. Med. Assoc. 288 tocopherol, and a number of phytochemicals, (2002) 2569e2578. including phytosterols, phenolic acids, and Furthermore, emerging clinical evidence suggests 3-Antonio Tomaino et al -,Biochimie 92 (2010) 1115e1122 xanthophyll carotenoids.Among nuts, pistachios that pistachios may help reduce oxidative and 4-doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00467.x Nutrition Reviews Vol. 70(4):234–240 contain the highest levels of potassium, inflammatory stress and promote vascular health, 5-Other references phytosterols, vitamin K, g-tocopherol, and lutein. A glycemic control, appetite management, and weight growing number of clinical studies suggest potential control. health benefits of pistachio nuts.