A comprehensive review on ethnobotanical, medicinal and nutritional potential of walnut (Juglans regia L.)

Effect of walnut consumption on markers of endothelial function in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Findings on the effect of walnut consumption on endothelial function are conflicting. Therefore, the present systematic review and meta-analysis summarized available trials in this regard. A systematic search was performed in online databases including PubMed-Medline, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science up to October 2023. Articles that reported the effect of walnut intake on flow-mediated dilation (FMD), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and stimulus-adjusted response measure (SARM) were included. Random effects models for a weighted mean difference (WMD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) were used to test for the overall effect. Six eligible trials were analyzed (250 participants). Walnut intake significantly increased FMD (WMD: 0.94%, 95% CI: 0.12 to 1.75; p = 0.02). However, meta-analysis could not show any beneficial effect of walnut intake on ICAM-1 (SMD: -0.23, 95% CI: -0.68 to 0.22; p = 0.31), VCAM-1 (SMD: -0.02, 95% CI: -1.38 to 1.34; p = 0.97), and SARM (WMD: 0.01%, 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.04; p = 0.28). In conclusion, the present meta-analysis suggests that walnuts may reduce cardiovascular disease risk by improving FMD. However, further studies should be performed on adults to determine the effect of walnut intake on endothelial function.

Walnut By-Products and Elderberry Extracts-Sustainable Alternatives for Human and Plant Health

A current alternative for sustainable development through green chemistry is the replacement of synthetic compounds with natural ones through the superior capitalization of natural resources, with numerous applications in different fields. The benefits of walnuts (Juglans regia L.) and elderberries (Sambucus nigra L.) have been known since ancient times, due to the presence of phytochemicals such as flavonoids, polyphenols, carotenoids, alkaloids, nitrogen-containing compounds, tannins, steroids, anthocyanins, etc. These active compounds have multiple biological activities for human health, including benefits that are antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antihypertensive, neuroprotective, etc. Like other medicinal plants, the walnut and the elderberry possess important phytosanitary properties (antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal) and their extracts can also be used as environmentally safe biopesticides, with the result that they constitute a viable and cheap alternative to environmentally harmful synthetic products. During recent years, walnut by-products and elderberries have attracted the attention of researchers, and investigations have focused on the species' valuable constituents and active properties. Comparing the information from the literature regarding the phytochemical profile and biological activities, it is highlighted that, apart from the predominant specific compounds, the walnut and the elderberry have common bioactive compounds, which come from six classes (phenols and derivatives, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, tannins, triterpenoids, and phytosteroids), and act on the same microorganisms. From this perspective, the aim of this review is to provide an overview of the bioactive compounds present in the different constitutive parts of walnut by-products and elderberries, which present a specific or common activity related to human health and the protection of agricultural crops in the context of sustainable development.

Complicated atopic dermatitis in a healthy infant: Homemade walnut cream

Key Clinical Message

Healthcare providers should educate patients on the appropriate use of topical agents and the potential risks associated with non-standardized formulations, especially for infants and young children.

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is an unconventional treatment method used alongside or in addition to conventional medical treatment methods to improve the healing process. Inappropriate administration of CAM can worsen the condition of diseases and have potential hazards for patients. Herbal therapy is one of the most famous and widely used CAMs in treating various skin disorders. In this case, we report a 4-month-old girl with atopic dermatitis who demonstrates ulceronecrotic lesions on her face and extremities besides sepsis 3 days after a walnut's homemade cream consumption. She was treated with intravenous clindamycin and wet-to-dry dressing to remove the scabs. This case report shows the potentially hazardous effects of misused traditional and homemade herbal therapy. It highlighted the need to pay particular attention when CAMs are used, especially for infants and young children.

Ceviz Erkek Çiçeklerinin In Vitro Antioksidan ve Enzim İnhibitör Aktiviteleri

Walnut (Juglans regia L.) male flowers are known for their high phenolic content and associated health benefits, including anti-hypoxic, antihaemolytic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and antioxidant activities. This study represents the first investigation of the inhibitory effects of walnut male flower extract on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, employing HPAE-PAD (High-Performance Anion-Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection). The inhibitory potential of the extract was compared to that of acarbose, a chemical drug commonly used for this purpose. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the extract was also evaluated. The extract demonstrated significant inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 1.507 mg/mL and 0.803 mg/mL, respectively. In contrast, acarbose exhibited IC50 values of 1.031 mg/mL and 0.985 mg/mL for α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively. Although the walnut male flower showed greater inhibition of α-glucosidase than acarbose, acarbose exhibited stronger inhibition of α-amylase activity than walnut male flowers. The extract exhibited a DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical) free radical scavenging activity, with an IC50 value of 19.51 µg/mL. Additionally, the total phenolic content of 277 mg GAE (gallic acid equivalent)/g dry weight (dw) was determined in the extract. These results may highlight the potential of walnut male flowers as a novel enzyme inhibitor for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus. The findings of this study could provide valuable insights for further investigation into the potential applications of walnut male flowers in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Effects of dietary walnut (Juglans regia) leaves extract on immunity, gene expression responses, and disease resistance in Oreochromis niloticus

The dietary effects of walnut leaf extract (WLE) on the growth, immunity, and resistance of Oreochromis niloticus to bacterial infection have been investigated. Five diets were prepared with various WLE doses of 0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/kg, termed as Con (control), WLE250, WLE500, WLE750, and WLE1000, respectively. Fish (11.67 ± 0.21 g) were fed these diets for 60 days and then challenged with Plesiomonas shigelloides. Before the challenge, it was observed that dietary WLE did not significantly affect the growth, blood proteins (globulin, albumin, and total protein), and liver function enzymes (ALT and AST) activities. The WLE250 group significantly increased serum SOD and CAT activities more than other groups. The serum immunological indices (lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activities) and hematological parameters (phagocytic activity %, phagocytic index, respiratory burst activity, and potential activity) were significantly increased in the WLE groups compared with the Con group. The expression of IgM heavy chain, IL-1β, and IL-8 genes were significantly upregulated in all WLE-supplemented groups in comparison with the Con group. The fish survival rates (SR; %) post challenge in the Con, WLE250, WLE500, WLE750 and WLE1000 groups were 40.0%, 49.3%, 86.7%, 73.3%, and 70.7%, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier survivorship curves illustrated that the highest SR% was found in the WLE500 group (86.7%) amongst the other groups. Accordingly, we can suggest that feeding O. niloticus with a diet supplied with WLE at a dose rate of 500 mg/kg over 60 days could enrich haemato-immune responses and increase the fish survival against the challenge with P. shigelloides. These results recommend using WLE as a herbal dietary supplement to substitute antibiotic use in aquafeed.