Avocado seed extract shows the potential as an anti-inflammatory compound

According to researchers at Penn State University, the extract from avocado seeds shows anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory research, which represents a potential source of new anti-inflammatory compounds that can be used as functional food ingredients or drug development Researchers have developed the extract as a food colorant in the past decade, and it is unclear whether the compound responsible for the active orange of the extract has any role in its ability to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, said Joshua Lambert, an associate professor Food science To determine the anti-inflammatory properties of avocado seed extracts, researchers used cell culture models and enzymes that are important in immune response and inflammatory diseases A class of immune cells, called macrophages, are cultured in a dish and activated with an inflammatory stimulant in the presence or absence of an avocado seed extract The researchers measured the production of important proinflammatory mediators and signaling pathways in cells after treatment with extracts "The next step, before we can draw further conclusions about the anti-inflammatory activity of this avocado seed extract, is to design an animal model study," said Lambert, CO director of the center for plant and mushroom food hygiene at Penn State University "For example, we can look at a mouse model of ulcerative colitis, and we can make a mouse diet with avocado seed extract to see if it can reduce inflammation." Lambert believes that this study has laid the foundation for more research, because it provides evidence of bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory activity in avocado seeds "The level of activity we see in the extract is very good," he said "We see inhibitory activity at concentrations in the low microgram / ml range, which is an acceptable amount of activity to justify further studies." Lambert explained that this finding may be important because cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, colitis and many more serious diseases are related to chronic inflammation, a study Lambert conducted on a team at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences He pointed out that the results of recent research published in the progress of food technology and nutrition science are particularly encouraging because avocado seeds have been wasted "If we can bring value to avocado growers or avocado processors, that would be a benefit," he said "If we can reduce the amount of these materials dumped in landfills, it will be a good thing because it consumes a lot of avocados This is encouraging because other high-value sources of bioactive compounds, such as cocoa and green tea, we tested in my lab - and avocado seeds are basically considered garbage "Deepti dabas, PhD student in food science, and Gregory Ziegler, Professor of food science participated in the study Researchers have filed a patent application to use the extract as a food pigment additive In 2016, Lambert, Ziegler and two partners set up a company called Persea Naturals to develop extracts for the application If the identification of potential beneficial biological activities is confirmed in subsequent studies, the value of the extract can be increased and additional development approaches can be provided.