Evidence of hypolipemiant and antioxidant properties of argan oil derived from the argan tree (Argania spinosa).
BACKGROUND
Virgin argan oil is of interest in cardiovascular risk prevention due to its fat composition and antioxidant compounds.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated with Moroccan subjects the effect of regular virgin argan oil consumption on lipid profile and antioxidant status and the in vitro effect of argan oil minor compounds (tocopherols, sterols and polyphenols) on LDL peroxidation.


METHODS
Healthy subjects (20 men, 76 women) were studied. Sixty-two were regular consumers of argan oil and 34 were non-consumers.


METHODS
Fasting plasma lipids, antioxidant vitamins and LDL oxidation susceptibility were analyzed. In vitro LDL oxidation by phenolic and apolar compounds of virgin argan oil were performed.


RESULTS
Diet composition of argan oil consumers has a higher significant content of polyunsaturated fatty acids than that of non-consumers (8.8 +/- 1.0 vs. 6.6 +/- 0.9 g, P < 0.05). Subjects consuming argan oil have lower levels of plasma LDL cholesterol (12.7%, P < 0.05) and Lp(a) (25.3%, P < 0.05) compared with the non-consumers. In argan oil consumers, plasma lipoperoxides were lower (58.3%, P < 0.01) and molar ratio alpha-tocopherol/total cholesterol (21.6%, P < 0.05) and alpha-tocopherol concentration (13.4%, P < 0.05) were higher compared with the non-consumers group. In spite of higher levels of plasma antioxidant and lower levels of lipoperoxides in argan oil consumers, LDL oxidation susceptibility remained fairly similar. A strong positive correlation was observed between increasing phenolic extract, sterol and tocopherol concentrations and the LDL-Lag phase (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest for the first time that regular consumption of virgin argan oil induces a lowering of LDL cholesterol and has antioxidant properties. This oil offers an additional natural food to reducing cardiovascular risk.
Drissi
Anas
A
Laboratoire de Recherche sur les Lipoprotéines, Faculté des Sciences Ben M'sik, BP 7955 Sidi Othman, Casablanca, Morocco.
Girona
Josefa
J
Cherki
Mounia
M
Godàs
Gemma
G
Derouiche
Abdelfettah
A
El Messal
Mariame
M
Saile
Rachid
R
Kettani
Anass
A
Solà
Rosa
R
Masana
Luis
L
Adlouni
Ahmed
A
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009018:Morocco; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000032:analysis; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D059808:Polyphenols; D029632:Sapotaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000032:analysis; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis
D000975:Antioxidants; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D010840:Phytosterols; D010938:Plant Oils; D059808:Polyphenols; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D014810:Vitamin E