Generic placeholder image

Current Pharmaceutical Design

Author(s): Jamshed Arslan, Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani*, Humaira Jamshed, Sumaiya F. Khan and Mohammad A. Kamal

DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200806095649

DownloadDownload PDF Flyer Cite As
Edible Nuts for Memory

Page: [4712 - 4720] Pages: 9

  • * (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

Nuts hold prime significance throughout the world as they offer multiple health benefits owing to their highly nutritious profile. A number of scientific studies have demonstrated their actions against inflammation, oxidative damage, the aging process, as well as dementia or memory loss. However, only walnuts, followed by almonds, hazelnuts and pistachios, have shown promising results in empirical studies for memory improvements. So, the current review focuses on presenting hypotheses regarding anti-dementia property of nine different nuts: almond, walnut, pistachio, Brazil nut, peanut, pecans, cashew, hazelnut, and chestnut. The nutritious profile of nuts contains essential fats (mostly mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids), proteins (source for arginine, lysine and tryptophan), vitamins (riboflavin, folate, and various tocopherols), fibers, minerals (calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium) and trace elements (copper, zinc, and selenium). Interestingly, the constituents of natural products, nuts being an excellent example, work synergistically and/or in a side-effect neutralizing manner. These latter properties can make nuts an alternate therapy for humankind to fight against memory loss.

Keywords: Almonds, brazil nut, cashew, chestnut, hazelnut, pecans, peanut, pistachio, walnut.

[1]
Arya J. Food is your best medicine. Pune, India: Arya Publications 2014.
[2]
Hayes D, Angove MJ, Tucci J, Dennis C. Walnuts (Juglans regia) chemical composition and research in human health. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2016; 56(8): 1231-41.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2012.760516 ] [PMID: 25747270]
[3]
Yada S, Lapsley K, Huang G. A review of composition studies of cultivated almonds: macronutrients and micronutrients. J Food Compos Anal 2011; 24(4-5): 469-80.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2011.01.007]
[4]
Pribis P, Shukitt-Hale B. Cognition: the new frontier for nuts and berries. Am J Clin Nutr 2014; 100(Suppl. 1): 347S-52S.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.113.071506 ] [PMID: 24871475]
[5]
Gilani AH, Rahman AU. Trends in ethnopharmocology. J Ethnopharmacol 2005; 100(1-2): 43-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005.06.001 ] [PMID: 16127805]
[6]
Dreher ML. Pistachio nuts: composition and potential health benefits. Nutr Rev 2012; 70(4): 234-40.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00467.x ] [PMID: 22458696]
[7]
Jamshed H, Sultan FA, Iqbal R, Gilani AH. Dietary almonds increase serum HDL cholesterol in coronary artery disease patients in a randomized controlled trial. J Nutr 2015; 145(10): 2287-92.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3945/jn.114.207944 ] [PMID: 26269239]
[8]
Jamshed H, Gilani AU, Sultan FA, et al. Almond supplementation reduces serum uric acid in coronary artery disease patients: a randomized controlled trial. Nutr J 2016; 15(1): 77.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12937-016-0195-4 ] [PMID: 27543277]
[9]
Parham M, Heidari S, Khorramirad A, et al. Effects of pistachio nut supplementation on blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized crossover trial. Rev Diabet Stud 2014; 11(2): 190-6.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1900/RDS.2014.11.190 ] [PMID: 25396407]
[10]
Rajaram S, Valls-Pedret C, Cofán M, et al. The Walnuts and Healthy Aging Study (WAHA): protocol for a nutritional intervention trial with walnuts on brain aging. Front Aging Neurosci 2017; 8: 333.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2016.00333 ] [PMID: 28119602]
[11]
Fu K, Chen L, Miao L, Guo Y, Zhang W, Bai Y. Grape seed proanthocyanidins protect N2a cells against ischemic injury via endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial associated pathways. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets 2019; 18(4): 334-41.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871527318666190212111650 ] [PMID: 30747083]
[12]
Samarghandian S, Farkhondeh T, Samini F. A review on possible therapeutic effect of Nigella sativa and thymoquinone in neurodegenerative diseases. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets 2018; 17(6): 412-20.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871527317666180702101455 ] [PMID: 29962349]
[13]
Wang S, Ma F, Huang L, et al. Dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP): a promising therapeutic agent for ischemic stroke. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets 2018; 17(5): 338-47.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871527317666180612125843 ] [PMID: 29895257]
[14]
Berk L, Lohman E, Bains G, Bruhjell K, Bradburn J, Vijayan N, et al. Nuts and brain health: Nuts increase EEG power spectral density (μV [sup2]) for delta frequency (1-3Hz) and Gamma Frequency (31-40 Hz) associated with deep meditation, empathy, healing, as well as neural synchronization, enhanced cognitive processing, recall, and memory all beneficial for brain health FASEB J 2017; 31(1): 636-24.
[15]
Truong VL, Bak MJ, Jun M, Kong AN, Ho CT, Jeong WS. Antioxidant defense and hepatoprotection by procyanidins from almond (Prunus amygdalus) skins. J Agric Food Chem 2014; 62(34): 8668-78.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf5027247 ] [PMID: 25119859]
[16]
Blomhoff R, Carlsen MH, Andersen LF, Jacobs DR Jr. Health benefits of nuts: potential role of antioxidants. Br J Nutr 2006; 96(Suppl. 2): S52-60.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/BJN20061864 ] [PMID: 17125534]
[17]
Abbott A. Dementia: a problem for our age. Nature 2011; 475(7355): S2-4.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/475S2a ] [PMID: 21760579]
[18]
Kulkarni KS, Kasture SB, Mengi SA. Efficacy study of Prunus amygdalus (almond) nuts in scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats. Indian J Pharmacol 2010; 42(3): 168-73.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0253-7613.66841 ] [PMID: 20871769]
[19]
Batool Z, Sadir S, Liaquat L, et al. Repeated administration of almonds increases brain acetylcholine levels and enhances memory function in healthy rats while attenuates memory deficits in animal model of amnesia. Brain Res Bull 2016; 120: 63-74.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2015.11.001 ] [PMID: 26548495]
[20]
Arslan J, Ahmed T, Gilani A-H. Soaked almonds exhibit vitamin Edependent memory protective effect in rodent models. Int J Pharmacol 2017; 13(5): 448-56.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/ijp.2017.448.456]
[21]
Birks JS. Cholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer’s disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006; 1.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD005593]
[22]
Yiannopoulou KG, Papageorgiou SG. Current and future treatments in Alzheimer disease: an update. J Cent Nerv Syst Dis 2020.121179573520907397
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1179573520907397 ] [PMID: 32165850]
[23]
Kryscio RJ, Abner EL, Caban-Holt A, et al. Association of Antioxidant Supplement Use and Dementia in the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease by Vitamin E and Selenium Trial (PREADViSE). JAMA Neurol 2017; 74(5): 567-73.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.5778 ] [PMID: 28319243]
[24]
Arslan J, Jamshed H, Qureshi H. Early detection and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease: role of oxidative markers and natural antioxidants. Front Aging Neurosci 2020. [Accepted Manuscript].
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2020.00231]
[25]
Weseler AR, Bast A. Oxidative stress and vascular function: implications for pharmacologic treatments. Curr Hypertens Rep 2010; 12(3): 154-61.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11906-010-0103-9 ] [PMID: 20424954]
[26]
Keaney JF Jr, Guo Y, Cunningham D, Shwaery GT, Xu A, Vita JA. Vascular incorporation of alpha-tocopherol prevents endothelial dysfunction due to oxidized LDL by inhibiting protein kinase C stimulation. J Clin Invest 1996; 98(2): 386-94.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1172/JCI118804 ] [PMID: 8755649]
[27]
Choudhury K, Clark J, Griffiths HR. An almond-enriched diet increases plasma α-tocopherol and improves vascular function but does not affect oxidative stress markers or lipid levels. Free Radic Res 2014; 48(5): 599-606.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/10715762.2014.896458 ] [PMID: 24555818]
[28]
Segura R, Javierre C, Lizarraga MA, Ros E. Other relevant components of nuts: phytosterols, folate and minerals. Br J Nutr 2006; 96(Suppl. 2): S36-44.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/BJN20061862 ] [PMID: 17125532]
[29]
Volpe SL. Magnesium in disease prevention and overall health. Adv Nutr 2013; 4(3): 378S-83.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3945/an.112.003483 ] [PMID: 23674807]
[30]
Dong Q, Banaich MS, O’Brien PJ. Cytoprotection by almond skin extracts or catechins of hepatocyte cytotoxicity induced by hydroperoxide (oxidative stress model) versus glyoxal or methylglyoxal (carbonylation model). Chem Biol Interact 2010; 185(2): 101-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2010.03.003 ] [PMID: 20211157]
[31]
Li Q, Zhao HF, Zhang ZF, et al. Long-term green tea catechin administration prevents spatial learning and memory impairment in senescence-accelerated mouse prone-8 mice by decreasing Abeta1-42 oligomers and upregulating synaptic plasticity-related proteins in the hippocampus. Neuroscience 2009; 163(3): 741-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.07.014 ] [PMID: 19596052]
[32]
Haider S, Batool Z, Tabassum S, et al. Effects of walnuts (Juglans regia) on learning and memory functions. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 2011; 66(4): 335-40.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11130-011-0260-2 ] [PMID: 22048906]
[33]
Brufau G, Boatella J, Rafecas M. Nuts: source of energy and macronutrients. Br J Nutr 2006; 96(Suppl. 2): S24-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/BJN20061860 ] [PMID: 17125529]
[34]
Meltzer CC, Smith G, DeKosky ST, et al. Serotonin in aging, late life depression, and Alzheimer’s disease: the emerging role of functional imaging. Neuropsychopharmacology 1998; 18(6): 407-30.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0893-133X(97)00194-2 ] [PMID: 9571651]
[35]
Willis LM, Shukitt-Hale B, Cheng V, Joseph JA. Dose-dependent effects of walnuts on motor and cognitive function in aged rats. Br J Nutr 2009; 101(8): 1140-4.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0007114508059369 ] [PMID: 18778529]
[36]
Pribis P, Bailey RN, Russell AA, et al. Effects of walnut consumption on cognitive performance in young adults. Br J Nutr 2012; 107(9): 1393-401.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0007114511004302 ] [PMID: 21923981]
[37]
Asadi-Shekaari M, Karimi A, Shabani M, Sheibani V, Esmaeilpour K. Maternal feeding with walnuts (Juglans regia) improves learning and memory in their adult pups. Avicenna J Phytomed 2013; 3(4): 341-6.
[PMID: 25050291]
[38]
Abdelkrim L, Noria S-S, Gradziel T. Root architecture of Atlas pistachio in relation to underlying soil properties under arid conditions. Afr J Agric Res 2014; 9(6): 620-6.
[39]
Aksoy N, Aksoy M, Bagci C, et al. Pistachio intake increases high density lipoprotein levels and inhibits low-density lipoprotein oxidation in rats. Tohoku J Exp Med 2007; 212(1): 43-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1620/tjem.212.43 ] [PMID: 17464102]
[40]
Bednarska-Makaruk ME, Krzywkowski T, Graban A, et al. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene-108C>T and p.Q192R polymorphisms and arylesterase activity of the enzyme in patients with dementia. Folia Neuropathol 2013; 51(2): 111-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/fn.2013.35953 ] [PMID: 23821382]
[41]
Bozorgi M, Memariani Z, Mobli M, Salehi Surmaghi MH, Shams-Ardekani MR, Rahimi R. Five Pistacia species (P. vera, P. atlantica, P. terebinthus, P. khinjuk, and P. lentiscus): a review of their traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology. ScientificWorldJournal 2013; 2013: 219815.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/219815 ] [PMID: 24453812]
[42]
Varadinova MG, Docheva-Drenska DI, Boyadjieva NI. Effects of anthocyanins on learning and memory of ovariectomized rats. Menopause 2009; 16(2): 345-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/gme.0b013e3181847619 ] [PMID: 19002018]
[43]
Almond-Board-of-California The nutritious allure of California almonds California ABo, editor USA: Almond Board of California 2010 Available at: https://www.almonds.com/why-almonds/growing-good?gclid=CjwKCAjwh7H7BRBBEiwAPXjadrW3desxtiNKoIENlOtTd1Pio0JJrfVfkIAoXKrWb7sNvuXYOqRfthoCCl8QAvD_BwE
[44]
Deijen JB, van der Beek EJ, Orlebeke JF, van den Berg H. Vitamin B-6 supplementation in elderly men: effects on mood, memory, performance and mental effort. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1992; 109(4): 489-96.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02247729 ] [PMID: 1365868]
[45]
Quartu M, Serra MP, Boi M, et al. Effect of acute administration of Pistacia lentiscus L. essential oil on rat cerebral cortex following transient bilateral common carotid artery occlusion. Lipids Health Dis 2012; 11: 8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1476-511X-11-8 ] [PMID: 22239952]
[46]
Singhal AK, Naithani V, Bangar OP. Medicinal plants with a potential to treat Alzheimer and associated symptoms. Int J Nutr Pharmacol Neurol Dis 2012; 2(2): 84.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2231-0738.95927]
[47]
Santos JR, Gois AM, Mendonça DM, Freire MA. Nutritional status, oxidative stress and dementia: the role of selenium in Alzheimer’s disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2014; 6: 206.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2014.00206 ] [PMID: 25221506]
[48]
Thomson CD, Chisholm A, McLachlan SK, Campbell JM. Brazil nuts: an effective way to improve selenium status. Am J Clin Nutr 2008; 87(2): 379-84.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/87.2.379 ] [PMID: 18258628]
[49]
Rita Cardoso B, Silva Bandeira V, Jacob-Filho W, Franciscato Cozzolino SM. Selenium status in elderly: relation to cognitive decline. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2014; 28(4): 422-6.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2014.08.009 ] [PMID: 25220532]
[50]
Olde Rikkert MG, Verhey FR, Sijben JW, et al. Differences in nutritional status between very mild Alzheimer’s disease patients and healthy controls. J Alzheimers Dis 2014; 41(1): 261-71.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/JAD-131892 ] [PMID: 24614903]
[51]
Martins M, Pacheco AM, Lucas ACS, Andrello AC, Appoloni CR, Xavier JJM. Brazil nuts: determination of natural elements and aflatoxin. Acta Amazon 2012; 42(1): 157-64.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0044-59672012000100018]
[52]
Settaluri V, Kandala C, Puppala N, Sundaram J. Peanuts and their nutritional aspects-a review. Food Nutr Sci 2012; 3(12): 1644.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/fns.2012.312215]
[53]
McGarel C, Pentieva K, Strain JJ, McNulty H. Emerging roles for folate and related B-vitamins in brain health across the lifecycle. Proc Nutr Soc 2015; 74(1): 46-55.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0029665114001554 ] [PMID: 25371067]
[54]
Reynolds EH. The neurology of folic acid deficiency. Handb Clin Neurol 2014; 120: 927-43.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-7020-4087-0.00061-9 ] [PMID: 24365361]
[55]
Gallucci M, Zanardo A, Bendini M, Di Paola F, Boldrini P, Grossi E. Serum folate, homocysteine, brain atrophy, and auto-CM system: The Treviso Dementia (TREDEM) study. J Alzheimers Dis 2014; 38(3): 581-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/JAD-130956 ] [PMID: 24028866]
[56]
National-Peanut-Board. Comparing nuts USA: National Peanut Board 2019. Available at: https://www.nationalpeanutboard.org/pe anut-info/comparing-nuts.htm
[57]
Adhami HR, Linder T, Kaehlig H, Schuster D, Zehl M, Krenn L. Catechol alkenyls from Semecarpus anacardium: acetylcholinesterase inhibition and binding mode predictions. J Ethnopharmacol 2012; 139(1): 142-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.10.032 ] [PMID: 22075454]
[58]
Sales JM, Resurreccion AV. Resveratrol in peanuts. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2014; 54(6): 734-70.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2011.606928 ] [PMID: 24345046]
[59]
Li F, Gong Q, Dong H, Shi J. Resveratrol, a neuroprotective supplement for Alzheimer’s disease. Curr Pharm Des 2012; 18(1): 27-33.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212798919075 ] [PMID: 22211686]
[60]
Gupta R, Gupta LK, Mediratta PK, Bhattacharya SK. Effect of resveratrol on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in mice. Pharmacol Rep 2012; 64(2): 438-44.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1734-1140(12)70785-5 ] [PMID: 22661196]
[61]
Kim JK, Shin E-C, Kim CR, Park GG, Choi SJ, Cho HY, et al. Composition of fatty acids in commercially available tree nuts and their relationship with protective effects against oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity. Food Sci Biotechnol 2013; 22(4): 1097-104.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10068-013-0189-3]
[62]
Domínguez-Avila JA, Alvarez-Parrilla E, López-Díaz JA, Maldonado-Mendoza IE, Gómez-García Mdel C, de la Rosa LA. The pecan nut (Carya illinoinensis) and its oil and polyphenolic fractions differentially modulate lipid metabolism and the antioxidant enzyme activities in rats fed high-fat diets. Food Chem 2015; 168: 529-37.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.07.092 ] [PMID: 25172744]
[63]
Pocernich CB, Butterfield DA. Elevation of glutathione as a therapeutic strategy in Alzheimer disease. Biochim Biophys Acta 2012; 1822(5): 625-30.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbadis.2011.10.003 ] [PMID: 22015471]
[64]
Reckziegel P, Boufleur N, Barcelos RC, et al. Oxidative stress and anxiety-like symptoms related to withdrawal of passive cigarette smoke in mice: beneficial effects of pecan nut shells extract, a by-product of the nut industry. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2011; 74(6): 1770-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2011.04.022 ] [PMID: 21531023]
[65]
Emeriau JP, Lehert P, Mosnier M. Efficacy of naftidrofuryl in patients with vascular or mixed dementia: results of a multicenter, double-blind trial. Clin Ther 2000; 22(7): 834-44.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0149-2918(00)80056-9 ] [PMID: 10945510]
[66]
Attalla K, De S, Monga M. Oxalate content of food: a tangled web. Urology 2014; 84(3): 555-60.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2014.03.053 ] [PMID: 25168533]
[67]
Trevizol F, Benvegnú DM, Barcelos RC, et al. Comparative study between two animal models of extrapyramidal movement disorders: prevention and reversion by pecan nut shell aqueous extract. Behav Brain Res 2011; 221(1): 13-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2011.02.026 ] [PMID: 21356248]
[68]
Kotakowska A, Bartosz G. AntioxidantsZE Z, Sikorski AK, editors Chemical, Biological, and Functional Aspects of Food Lipids. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press 2011; 185-210.
[69]
de Melo MFFT, Pereira DE, Sousa MM, et al. Maternal intake of cashew nuts accelerates reflex maturation and facilitates memory in the offspring. Int J Dev Neurosci 2017; 61: 58-67.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2017.06.006 ] [PMID: 28663041]
[70]
Tiwari P, Singh A, Singh U, Maurya S, Singh M. Nutritional importance of some dry fruits based on their phenolic acids Internet J Nutr Wellness 2008; 8(1)
[71]
Daglia M, Di Lorenzo A, Nabavi SF, Talas ZS, Nabavi SM. Polyphenols: well beyond the antioxidant capacity: gallic acid and related compounds as neuroprotective agents: you are what you eat! Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2014; 15(4): 362-72.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920101504140825120737 ] [PMID: 24938889]
[72]
Di Renzo L, Alberto C, Botta R, Contessa C, Sartor C, Iacopino AM, et al. Nutrient analysis critical control point (NACCP): hazelnut as a prototype of nutrigenomic study. Food Nutr Sci 2014; 5(1): 79-88.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/fns.2014.51011]
[73]
Bahaeddin Z, Yans A, Khodagholi F, Hajimehdipoor H, Sahranavard S. Hazelnut and neuroprotection: Improved memory and hindered anxiety in response to intra-hippocampal Aβ injection. Nutr Neurosci 2017; 20(6): 317-26.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2015.1126954 ] [PMID: 26808646]
[74]
US-Department-of-Agriculture. Full report (all nutrients): 12100, nuts, chestnuts, european, dried, peeled. Do A, Ed. United States: Department of Agriculture 2018 Available at: https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3104/2
[75]
Kim JH, Choi GN, Kwak JH, Jeong HR, Jeong C-H, Heo HJ. Neuronal cell protection and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect of the phenolics in chestnut inner skin. Food Sci Biotechnol 2011; 20(2): 311-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10068-011-0044-3]
[76]
Justin BN, Turek M, Hakim AM. Heart disease as a risk factor for dementia. Clin Epidemiol 2013; 5: 135-45.
[PMID: 23658499]
[77]
Sabaté J, Wien M. Nuts, blood lipids and cardiovascular disease. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2010; 19(1): 131-6.
[PMID: 20199998]