Fatty acids composition and in vivo biochemical effects of Aleurites moluccana seed (Candlenut) in obese wistar rats

BACKGROUND

Candlenut (CN) has been used indiscriminately for weight loss. In vivo effects of CN in different doses are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of CN ingestion in obese rats.

DESIGN

Thirty animals (obese and non-obese) received one of three different types of treatments: placebo, CN ingestion in a popular therapeutic regimen (8 days with oral administration of 0.2 mg/kg followed by 20 days with doses of 0.4 mg/kg), and ingestion of a doubled popular dose-called 2CN. Treatment was maintained for 28 days.

RESULTS

The fatty acid profile of CN indicated mainly linolelaidic and palmitoleic acids. Rats receiving CN and 2CN showed reduced plasmatic levels of glucose and lipoproteins (p < 0.05). A dose-dependent carcass fat reduction was observed (p < 0.05). Blood levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) reduced with CN and increased with 2CN doses (p < 0.05). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the atherogenic index remained similar among all treatments (p > 0.05). Hepatic vacuolation decreased with CN, but the 2CN dose produced mononuclear leucocyte infiltrate.

CONCLUSIONS

Although CN presented beneficial effects on the metabolism of rats, it also caused increased risk of liver damage.

Weight loss supplement causing acute heart block in a child

A 16-year-old male was admitted to the paediatric ICU with acute onset of vomiting, somnolence, and chest pain, and electrocardiogram showing 2nd degree heart block after ingesting an Aleurites moluccana (Candlenut) seed as a herbal weight loss supplement. Electrocardiogram showed progressively worsening heart block with down-sloping of the ST segments, resembling digoxin toxicity. After 2 days of ICU observation, his symptoms began to improve and eventually resolved. The side effects of herbal supplements are often unknown but by analysing cases such as these, physicians can develop a better understanding of these substances to help guide management.

Supercritical CO2 extraction of candlenut oil: process optimization using Taguchi orthogonal array and physicochemical properties of the oil

A series of experiments was conducted to determine optimum conditions for supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of candlenut oil. A Taguchi experimental design with L9 orthogonal array (four factors in three levels) was employed to evaluate the effects of pressure of 25-35 MPa, temperature of 40-60 °C, CO2 flow rate of 10-20 g/min and particle size of 0.3-0.8 mm on oil solubility. The obtained results showed that increase in particle size, pressure and temperature improved the oil solubility. The supercritical carbon dioxide extraction at optimized parameters resulted in oil yield extraction of 61.4% at solubility of 9.6 g oil/kg CO2. The obtained candlenut oil from supercritical carbon dioxide extraction has better oil quality than oil which was extracted by Soxhlet extraction using n-hexane. The oil contains high unsaturated oil (linoleic acid and linolenic acid), which have many beneficial effects on human health.