POTENTIAL IMPORTANCE OF JUGLANS REGIA LINN: NUTRITIONAL PROFILE AND HEALTH BENEFITS

Author : Dipal Gandhi , Helly Shah , Maitri Madia

Page Nos : 1 - 12

HTML Book :

1. Introduction:

The discovery of plants having medicinal effects has been discovered since decades. They have been used in the traditional systems of medicines since ancient times. There are hundreds of chemical and biochemical compounds in plants having functions including defense against various insects, diseases, etc. Number of phytochemical have been discovered in plants. However a single plant also contains numerous phytochemicals which makes the whole plant having one or the other potential medicinal or nutritional effects. Many pharmacologically active substances have been discovered through ethno-botanical studies. The nutritional rich food is the most important parameter for maintaining human health and complete physical well-being. For development and maximization of human genetic potential, nutritional food is necessary [1]. Malnutrition problem can be solved by taking dietary food and supplements for maintaining overall human health and fitness. Expansion of food production must be supported at both national and household level with increasing yields and household techniques [2].

In modern years, plant-based materials, and especially nuts, became short of

interest. Walnut is widely used since ancient times due to its nutritional values. Its scientific or biological name is Juglan regia Linn. It belongs to family Juglandaceae. Of the total walnut produced in the world, about 90% is utilized in the developing countries and about two-thirds of plant produced are consumed as food. It is grown in temperate region and extensively used by Persia (now Iran) for trading with other countries so known as Persian nut [3]. When taken to Rome, it was named Jovis Glans. Later it was named in Latin as Juglans regia – meaning the Royal nut. It is now grown in Central Asia, the Himalayan chain, Kyrgyzstan, and also cultivated in some parts of Europe and USA. Some common names of walnut are Mocker nut hickory, Jupiter’s nut, kurup, ramakrot. Similarly walnut has some Ayurvedic names like Akshoda, Akshodaka, Akshota, Shailbhava, Pilu, Vrantphala, etc. [4,5] Walnut is known by different names throughout the world. Akhrot in Hindi, Doon in Kashmiri, Gardgani in Unani, Charmarghz (four brains) in Afghanistan and Karyon by Greek. There are 15 different varieties of walnut. Some known ones are English/Persian Walnut (Juglans regia), Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) and White Walnut/Butternut (Juglans cinera) [6,7]

2. Phytochemical composition of Walnut: Walnut contains large amount of mono unsaturated fatty acids. It is an ideal supply of Omega-3 fatty acids and arachidonic acid. It contains higher amount of omega-3

and omega-6 PUFA, considered as an essential dietary fatty acids. It has been proven through clinical studies that omega 3 PUFA have a major protective role in coronary heart disease [9]. The shape of walnut is similar to human brain, so it is used as brain nutrient. Walnut having many

901

phytochemical constituents, some of them have antioxidant activity examples such as melatonin, ellagic acid, vitamin E, carotenoids and polyphenols etc. having capacity fitness outcomes towards: getting old, cancers, inflammations and neurologic ailments [1]. Walnut is rich in alpha linolenic acid. One ounce of walnut can provide 2.5 grams of ALA. There are 3 types of omega-3 fatty acids: alpha linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), as shown in figure 3. EPA and DHA are obtained from fishes like salmon, trout and mackerel [2]. From J

mandshurica Maxim (green husk) around 27 naphthoquinones and their derivatives, including 4 new naphthalenyl glucosides and 23 other known compounds, have been isolated [10]. Walnut husk contains two hydrolysable tannins: Ellagic acid and tannic acid. Tetralones is another type of phytochemical group found to be present in the plants belonging to the family Juglandaceae. [11]. 3,4-dihydroxy-benzoic acid and 2,3-dihydroxy-benzoic acid were also isolated from the husk extract of J. mandshurica Maxim. [12]. Other chemical constituents and their structures are shown in the figure 4.

902

903

2.1 Nutritional composition of Walnut 2.1.1 Source of Vitamins: Walnut is an excellent source of tocotrienols. It contains two forms of tocotrienols: alpha and gamma. About 21 mg gamma tocotrienols is present in 100 gram of Walnut, and this quantity meets 140% of daily need. Vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant, required to shield the

mucus pores and skin cell membranes to reduce the dangerous effects of unfastened free-radicals and to hold its solidarity [13]. Walnut consists of critical nutrition systems together with: Vit B2, nicotinic acid, Vit B1, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, and folate/B9. It has a preventive role against irritation, also reduces the risk of high blood strain and prevents from mind stroke, chest illnesses, cancer etc. [14]

2.1.2 Source of proteins, fats and carbohydrates: Walnut contains significant quantities of mono and poly-unsaturated fatty acids. Three-forth portion of the energy in walnut is due to fat[4].The nutritional composition of walnut is shown below in table 1. [15]

905

907

3. Medicinal importance of Juglans regia Linn. 3.1 Ethnomedicinal uses: It has been observed from some of the articles that the plant can be used in many different ways, either alone or in combination with other medicinal plants, or with olive oil or honey. [6]. In Iran, the kernel of J. regia has been used for the curing inflammatory bowel disease. In Palestine, it is used for remedy of diabetes and asthma and to deal with prostate and vascular disturbance. [16]

The plant is used as a topical remedy for dermal infection and excessive perspiration of the palms and feet. The topical use of plant leaves cures dandruff and scalp itching, superficial burns and sunburn. It is used as emollient for pores and skin disorders. It also has excessive anti-atherogenic capacity and osteoblastic activity that shows its potential use in cardioprotection and bone loss. The branches, barks and exocarp of the immature fruit is used to treat gastric, liver and lung cancer in China. In northeastern Mexico, it is used a traditional healer for protection against liver harm. [6]

The bark is used as miswaks for enamel cleansing. The bark paste is applied at different places and beneficial in pores, arthritis and skin diseases, toothache, and hair boom in Nepal [17]. Seed coat is used for healing wounds. Juglans regia shell is used as Calabria folk remedy to heal malaria in Italy [6]. 3.2 Anti-oxidant potential: The walnut contains antioxidant substances having 15 instances extra results compared to natural vitamin E. Anti-oxidants defend the cells towards the deterioration resulting from harmful substance called as free radicals. [18] It has the property to reduce oxidative stress due to lose radicals, LDL cholesterol, and inflammations that harm fitness [19]. 3.3 Anti-microbial and anti-fungal activity: Juglone is used widely in pharmaceutical for anti-microbial activity. Walnut leaf extract along with its anti-oxidant property, inhibits the growth of bacteria – Bacillus cereus [20]. It is also useful against bacteria that are the cause of human gastrointestinal infections [21] .Walnut husks inhibit the growth of various pathogenic bacteria. [4] 3.4 Anti-diabetic activity: Polyphenolic components such as Tellimagradin II, Casuarictin and Tellimagradin I present in walnut have been shown to have a robust inhibitory effect on distinct enzymes like glycosidase,

maltase sucrose, glycosidase, and amylase. Researchers additionally noticed that walnut, due to its polyphenol content, has triglyceride decreasing impact and peroxide urine reducing effect in genetically inherited Type II diabetes mellitus. Significant inhibition was observed in α-glucosidase effect in vitro for both maltase and sucrase enzymes using the plant extract and showed no adjustments in the insulin and glut-4 gene expression [22]. 3.5 Anthelmintic activity: The methanol, ethanol and benzene extracts of stem bark of Juglans regia on adult Indian earthworm, Pheretimaposthuma shows full-size anthelmintic effect corresponding to popular drug Piperazine citrate. The ethanolic, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether extract of walnut hull have anti feedant effect on small vegetable moth and army worms [17]. 3.6 Anti-inflammatory activity: Central and peripheral antinociceptive effects has been observed using aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Juglans regia. It was again notified that this effect is due to inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase enzyme and through non-opioid receptors. These extracts also showed activity against acute and especially chronic inflammatory condition. Various flavonoids like quercetin, hesperidin and luteolin shows antinociceptive and/or anti-inflammatory activities. So, it can be concluded that

water and ethanolic extract of Juglans regia leaves show antinociceptive activity, and suggest a promising anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents against diseases together with rheumatoid arthritis. [23] 3.7 Dermatological activity: For treating pores and skin pigmentation, the components like ellagic acid in plant leaves extract of Juglans regia were found to be powerful. The ethanolic extract of walnut leaves have potential to become new asset of pores and skin-whitening marketers. [14] 3.8 Hepatoprotective activity: The oral administration (200 g/kg) of walnut containing polyphenols from the kernel pellicle showed reducing effect in glutamyl pyruvic transaminase (GOT) and glutamyl oxaloacetic transaminase (GPT) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) precipitated harms to liver in mice model. Results indicated that walnut polyphenols are superior to Curcumin polyphenols which are normally used as hepatoprotective. Polyphenolic components, rugosin C, tellimagrandins I and II and casuarictin have been discovered as main components with hepatoprotective activity against oxidative damage. [24] 3.9 Hypo tri-glyceridemic activity: Hypotriglyceridemic activity is observed due to polyphenolic – rich extract through enhancement of peroxisomal fatty acid βoxidation in the liver. [9]

10 Effects of walnut leaf on hypercholesterolemic rats:

One of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases is hypercholesterolemia. A research on hypercholesterolemic rats was done. They were given 1%, 2% and 5% of walnut leaf powder in their diet daily and was carried out till 40 days. Blood samples from eyes were collected and various biochemical parameters like triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C, etc. were tested. The result showed that the cholesterol and the triglycerides level decreased while the HDL-C level increased. The best results were seen in the rats with 5% of powder in the diet. Thus, it can be concluded that walnut leaf can be used due to its anti oxidant property in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). [25] 3.11 Walnut as an Anti-cancer agent: Juglone inhibits intestinal carcinogenesis in rats and also acts as chemopreventive agent in human intestinal neoplasia. Juglone also has strong cytotoxic action in vitro in human tumor mobile traces, which includes HCT-15 (human colon carcinoma) cells, HL-60R (doxorubicin-resistant human leukemia) cells and (HL-60) human leukemia cells. In a latest observation, Juglone inhibited 180 SGC-7901 cell-line isolated from metastasis of untreated gastric adenocarcinoma and also the apoptosis of sarcoma in vivo. [26]

3.12 Effect of walnut on brain health: English walnut (J. regia) is highly rich in antioxidants. Consumption of walnut in daily diet reduces the oxidative and inflammatory load on the brain cells. This leads to improvement in inter-neuronal signaling, increase in neurogenesis, etc. [19] 3.13 Uses of walnut in Cosmetics and other beauty products: Walnut oil is high in vitamins and proteins and is beneficial for skin. They are rich in omega-3, fiber and other vital minerals. th Since 17 century, walnut oil has been used to treat wrinkles and helps the skin look younger. The oil is a bit greasy but can be applied on the skin. Walnut oil is used to treat fungal infections by applying the oil topically to the affected area. [27]. Walnut shell powder is widely used as a scrubbing agent in cosmetic industry [26]. 4. Conclusion The present review highlights the active constituents of Juglans regia Linn. and its traditional uses in a wide array of diseases and for its nutritional value. Due to presence of various antioxidants, it may lead to decrease in LDL cholesterol. Walnut can be taken on a daily basis in order to improve the human health. It not only provides major nutrients like carbohydrate, protein, fat etc. but also provides ample of vitamins and minerals. In developing countries, due to circumstances of malnutrition and various

health problems like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, celiac disease, various skin problems, etc. are most prominent because of mal-nutrition consumption and improper life style. This review explores the benefits of Walnut which can be used as a “Nutritional medicine”. Walnut is an excellent source of antioxidants such as phenolic acids which can be characterized to be potential supplement and can enhance the viability of dietary and nutraceutical products along with potential health benefits. Conflicts of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

References:

1. Radhika G, Sathya RM, Ganesan A, Saroja R, Vijayalakshmi P & Sudha A; “Dietary Profile of Urban Adult Population in South India in the Context of Chronic Disease Epidemiology (CURES-68) J. Public Health Nut.” ,2011; 14(4): pp. 591–598.

2. Singh P & Raghuvanshi RS; “Finger Millet for Food and Nutrition Security”; African Journal of Food Science. 2012; 6(4): pp. 77-84.

3. Caspermeyer J. Scientists Crack Origin of the Persian Walnut. Molecular Biology and Evolution. 2019 Sep 12.

Milind P, Deepa K. Walnut: not a hard nut to crack. Int Res J Pharm. 2011;2(5):8-17.

5. Sen SM. Walnut, cultivation, nutritional value, folklore. ICC Publication, Ankara, Turkey. 2011;220.

6. Amel BE, Saida CH. Contribution to the Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Study of the Leaves’ Aqueous Extract of the Common Walnut” Juglans regia L. International Journal of Pharmacology, Phytochemistry and Ethnomedicine. 2016;7: 41-52.

7. Armstrong WP. Fruits Called Nuts. 2009, March 15.

8. Chauhan A. Benefits of a diet with walnuts in Alzheimer’s disease.

9. Ueshima H, Stamler J, Elliott P, Chan Q, Brown IJ, Carnethon MR, Daviglus ML, He K, Moag-Stahlberg A, Rodriguez BL, Steffen LM. Food omega-3 fatty acid intake of individuals (total, linolenic acid, long chain) and their blood pressure: INTERMAP study. Hypertension. 2007 Aug 1;50(2):313-9.

10. Zhou Y, Yang B, Jiang Y, Liu Z, Liu Y, Wang X, Kuang H. Studies on cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 cells of naphthoquinones from green walnut husks of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. Molecules. 2015 Sep;20(9):15572-88.

11. Du H, Li C, Wen Y, Tu Y, Zhong Y, Yuan Z, Li Y, Liang B. Secondary metabolites from pericarp of Juglans regia. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. 2014 Jun 1;54:88-91.

12. Chen G, Pi XM, Yu CY. A new naphthalenone isolated from the green walnut husks of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. Natural product research. 2015 Jan 17;29(2):174-9.

13. Amaral JS, Alves MR, Seabra RM, Oliveira BP. Vitamin E composition of walnuts (Juglans regia L.): a 3- year comparative study of different cultivars. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. 2005 Jun 29;53(13):5467-72.

14. Hayes D, Angove MJ, Tucci J, Dennis C. Walnuts (Juglans regia) chemical composition and research in human health. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. 2016 Jun 10;56(8):1231-41.

15. Şen SM, Karadeniz T. The nutritional value of walnut. Journal of Hygienic Engineering and Design. 2015;11:68- 71.

16. Ma ZF, Ahmad J, Khan I, Wang CW, Jiang P, Zhang Y. Interaction of Phytochemicals from Walnut on Health: An Updated Comprehensive Review of Reported Bioactivities and Medicinal Properties of Walnut. Journal of Biologically Active Products from Nature. 2019 Nov 2;9(6):410-25.

. NirmlaDevi T, Apraj V, Bhagwat A, Mallya R, Sawant L, Pandita N. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical investigation of Juglans regia Linn. bark. Pharmacognosy journal. 2011 Sep 1;3(25):39-43.

18. Amaral JS, Casal S, Pereira JA, Seabra RM, Oliveira BP. Determination of sterol and fatty acid compositions, oxidative stability, and nutritional value of six walnut (Juglans regia L.) cultivars grown in Portugal. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2003 Dec 17;51(26):7698-702.

19. Anderson KJ, Teuber SS, Gobeille A, Cremin P, Waterhouse AL, Steinberg FM. Walnut polyphenolics inhibit in vitro human plasma and LDL oxidation. The Journal of nutrition. 2001 Nov 1;131(11):2837-42.

20. Taha NA, Al-wadaan MA. Utility and importance of walnut, Juglans regia Linn: A review. African Journal of Microbiology Research. 2011 Dec 30;5(32):5796-805.

21. University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. “Walnuts impact gut microbiome and improve health.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 May 2018.

22. Fukuda T, Ito H, Yoshida T. Antioxidative polyphenols from

walnuts (Juglans regia L.). Phytochemistry. 2003 Aug 1;63(7):795-801.

23. Gupta A, Behl T, Panichayupakaranan P. A review of phytochemistry and pharmacology profile of Juglans regia. Obesity Medicine. 2019 Dec 1;16:100142.

24. Raafat K. Phytochemical analysis of Juglans regia oil and kernel exploring their antinociceptive and anti inflammatory potentials utilizing combined bio-guided GC–FID, GC–MS and HPLC analyses. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia, 2018, 28 (3): 358–68.

25. Ros E, Nunez I, Perez-Heras A, Serra M, Gilabert R, Casals E, Deulofeu R. A walnut diet improves endothelial function in hypercholesterolemic subjects: a randomized crossover trial. Circulation, 2004, 109 (13):1609- 1614.

26. Jahanban-Esfahlan A, Ostadrahimi A, Tabibiazar M, Amarowicz R. A comprehensive review on the chemical constituents and functional uses of walnut (Juglans spp.) husk. International journal of molecular sciences. 2019 Jan; 20(16):3920.

27. Crews C, Hough P, Godward J, Brereton P, Lees M, Guiet S, Winkelmann W. Study of the main constituents of some authentic walnut oils. J. Agric. Food Chem 2005, 53:4853-4860.