Antiproliferative terpenoids from almond hulls (Prunus dulcis): identification and structure-activity relationships.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2006 February 8;54(3):810-4
The purpose of this study was to identify phytochemicals in almond hulls and to determine their antiproliferative activity on human breast cancer cells. The phytochemicals were extracted with ethyl acetate from Sicilian almond hulls. The researchers identified 10 phytochemicals: oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, 2-hydroxy analogues alphitolic acid, corosolic acid, maslinic acid, betulinic aldehyde, oleanolic aldehyde, ursolic aldehyde and beta-sitosterol 3-O-glucoside. The phytochemicals betulinic acid showed antiproliferative activity toward the human breast cancer cells, even higher than the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil.
Long-term almond supplementation without advice on food replacement induces favourable nutrient modifications to the habitual diets of free-living individuals.
British Journal of Nutrition. 2004 September;92(3):533-40
Previous studies have indicated that consumption of nuts may protect against heart disease and diabetes. This is the first study to investigate the effects of almond supplementation in healthy men and women. During the first 6 months all persons followed their normal diet. The following 6 months, the persons supplemented their diets with almonds. When the persons took almonds the values for MUFA, PUFA, fibre, vegetable protein, vitamin E, cupper and magnesium increased, whereas the intake of trans fatty acids, animal protein, sodium, cholesterol and sugars decreased. The study concluded that the observed change in diet follows the dietary recommendations to prevent heart problems and other chronic diseases.
Whole almonds and almond fractions reduce aberrant crypt foci in a rat model of colon carcinogenesis.
Cancer Letters. 2001 April 10;165(1):27-33
Although almonds have high fat levels they appear to have many health benefits. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anticancer activity of almonds on rats by measuring the effects on aberrant crypt foci, which are putative precursors of colon cancer cancer. Following almond products were added to diets: whole almonds, almond meal or almond oil. The rats were injected with carcinogen and after 26 weeks on the different almond diets their colon was analyzed for cell turnover and aberrant crypt foci. The researchers found that rats fed with whole almond had significant lower aberrant crypt foci and cell turnover compared to the control group. Rats fed with almond meal and almond oil showed only a slight reduction. The study concluded that almond consumption may reduce the risk of colon cancer risk.
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