Publisher Summary This chapter describes the isolation, characterization, and functional studies related to two important bio-products extracted from horse gram seeds. The main uses of M. axillare include forage for cattle, recovery of eroded soil, and as a primary source of biomolecules from its seeds, such as D-pinitol, the anti-A1 lectin, and Bowman-Birk inhibitors (BBI). The lectin isolated from M. axillare seeds, and its counterpart, purified from Dolichos biflorus (DBL) seeds, is specific to the carbohydrate N-acethyl-α-d-galactosamine (GalNAc). MaL constitutes a relevant clinical tool, as it allows discrimination between blood groups A1 and A2 of the ABO system. M. axillare seeds are a source of the classic known trypsin and chymotrypsin plant inhibitors called BBIs. BBIs isolated from 5-day germinated seeds of M. axillare display increased inhibitory activity over trypsin and chymotrypsin. A number of reports have demonstrated the potential of BBI as cancer-preventive agents. The higher distribution volume and the increased activity of BBI present in the cotyledon strengthen the possibility of a better efficacy of these inhibitors on cancer prevention. New studies are needed to fully evaluate the therapeutic potential of isolated BBI and lectin from M. axillare, aiming at a better understanding of their benefits and risks to human and animal health.
Castor oil is derived from castor beans and has a variety of health benefits. It can be used against eye infection, liver disorders, and sexually transmitted diseases. Castor beans play an important commercial role in the preparations of soaps, coating and lubricating agents, etc. Moreover, castor seed oil has an important role in preparation of pharma products and pesticide preparation. It is widely cultivated and naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions of America, many temperature areas of Europe, and India. In South India, the Tamil local name is amanakku. Castor seed oil is a rich source of ricinoleic acid and triglycerides, which are valuable for therapeutic aspects. There are multiple uses of castor oil including germicidal agents, disinfectant, and purgative. In order to increase the utility of the castor oil, there is a need for further scientific investigation toward therapeutic safety.
Camellia oleifera Abel. is commonly known as tea seed oil. The seed of this plant is used for extraction of cooking oil. Camellia oil or tea seed oil is a high-quality cooking oil because it contains a high amount of oleic acid, antioxidants, vitamins, and high smoke point. Tea seed oil may prevent free radical–related diseases. After the oil has been extracted from the seed, the defatted tea seed cake can be used for animal feed, fertilizer, insecticide, pesticide, and molluscicide. Defatted tea seed cake composes of saponins, proteins, and polysaccharides, which exhibited various biological activities. Oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins are the major saponins found in defatted tea seed cake and possess various bioactive compounds with pharmacological activities. Extracts of C. oleifera pericarps or fruit hull also show antioxidant, anti-obesity, and anti-α-glucosidase activities and may be a potential functional food for diabetic patients. Furthermore, flower buds of C. oleifera also contain potent antioxidants.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum, Asteraceae) seeds have been used for over 2000 years as remedy for several diseases especially for liver and are still used widely. The active principle extracted from milk thistle seeds is silymarin, which is a mixture of flavonolignans, silibinin (silybin) being the main component, available commercially as standardized extract. Milk thistle seed extract (silymarin) and its constituents, chiefly silibinin, act as antioxidant and hepatoprotective; effective in treating toxin/xenobiotic poisoning, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and fibrosis of liver; and stimulate liver regeneration. Nevertheless, human studies regarding management of liver diseases are not much compelling. Milk thistle seed has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, lipid, and biliary effects. It also has antiviral, antitumor, and other health beneficiary properties. Milk thistle preparations are safe, well-tolerated, and cause no serious adverse effects except mild gastrointestinal and allergic reactions. Milk thistle seed is a very promising natural drug. More clinical research is warranted to support its wide-ranging health-promoting effects.
Sesamum indicum L. belongs to the family Pedaliaceae and is thought as the oldest oilseed used by human beings, and it is commonly known as sesame. It is grown around the globe. This chapter highlights issues relating to the plant profile, chemical composition, and pharmacological applications of sesame seed and their chemical constituents. Sesame is a rich source of lipids, fatty acids, endogenous antioxidants, proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals. Sesame seeds are used as food and nutrients, minerals and vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, medicinal extracts, and their important phytoconstituents are being extensively used by both traditional and modern systems of medicine for the treatment of various disease states, including wound healing, hepatic problems, memory disturbances, autoimmune encephalomyelitis, atherosclerosis, cancer, and hypertension.
Cancer has become as one of the most challenged diseases nowadays. Evidence has estimated that about 35% of cancers can be prevented by correct diet, physical activity, and maintenance of appropriate weight. Thus, changes in lifestyle and dietetic habits have been recommended for cancer prevention. In addition, natural or synthetic substances are used (as chemopreventive agents) for preventing, retarding, or blocking the development of cancer. Among natural compounds, those present in foods have been found to reduce cancer risk and sensitize tumor cells in anticancer therapies. In cereals, legumes, and other seeds, different bioactive compounds have demonstrated to exert an important beneficial impact on human health, protecting against various types of cancer. Among them, protein and peptides have become one of the most studied. This chapter summarizes the recent evidence on the chemopreventive properties of seed proteins, hydrolysates, and peptides, focusing on their food sources and their mechanism of action.
The African breadfruit plant (Treculia africana) Decne is an evergreen tropical tree crop that bears large seeded fruits. It is well known in Southern Nigeria where the edible seed is of great socioeconomic value and forms an important part of diets. It contains between 13.4 and 23.3% proteins, 53.7 and 62.6% carbohydrates, 10.4 and 18.9% fats, and a wide array of nutritive elements (Ca, Zn, Fe, Mg), and antinutrient components of the seed (phytate, oxalate, tannin, and hydrogen cyanide) are drastically reduced during seed processing via fermentation, toasting, and boiling. The seed extract has been shown to possess antimicrobial and health-promoting activities. This chapter provides information on the phytoconstituents of African breadfruit seed and their nutritional and potential medicinal values.
Garden cress (Lepidium sativum Linn.), belong to Brassicaceae family, is a fast-growing, edible annual herb and considered as an important medicinal plant and widely grown in several countries. L. sativum seeds, oil, and powder contain high levels of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, anthracene glycosides, carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, and fibers, which are incorporated in novel beverages and foods. In Ayurveda, L. sativum is considered as hot, bitter, galactogogue, and aphrodisiac and claimed to prevent Vata and Kapha. L. sativum seed is a good source of phenolics, amino acids, and used as a novel source of hydrocolloids. Seed extracts exhibited strong shear-thinning behavior and are used a substitute for gum arabica. L. sativum seed oil has a balanced amount of poly- and mono-unsaturated fatty acids. L. sativum seed oil contains natural antioxidants including tocols, sterols, carotenoids, and eugenol that help in the protection of oil rancidity. Clinical trials were carried out on the experimental animals to support the efficacy of L. sativum seeds. Seed extracts have been screened for various biological traits like hypotensive, antimicrobial, bronchodilator, hypoglycemic, and allelopathic, whereas its seed coat mucilage has been isolated to make it excipient of desired functionality as a part of pharmaceuticals. Through this article, the readers will get valuable information about L. sativum chemical composition, functional properties, pharmacological profile, and health-promoting applications.
Fenugreek, which has the scientific name of Trigonella foenum-graceum L and has leaves consisting of three small obovate to oblong leaflets, is an annual herbaceous plant of the Fabaceae family. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean but is cultivated worldwide. This plant has medicinal alkaloids, steroid compounds, and sapogenins. Many uses have been mentioned for this plant in traditional medicine. The plant has been employed to ease childbirth and aid in digestion, and as a general tonic to improve metabolism. Trigonelline is considered the most important metabolite of fenugreek, which is effective in treating diabetes and decreasing blood cholesterol. Diaszhenin is an important compound in the seeds of this plant; it is used to produce medicinal steroids such as contraceptive pills. Many studies have been performed on the therapeutic effects and identification of chemical compounds of this plant. In this chapter, the most important biological effects and reported compounds of fenugreek seed are reviewed and its therapeutic applications are investigated.
The seeds and leaves of coriander plant are commonly used spices around the world. Since antiquity, coriander has been used in folk medicine, and more recently, parts of the plant, extracts/oils, and other pure compounds extracted from the plant have started to be used in the cosmetic and food industries as aromas and flavoring substances. Coriander is cultivated worldwide and the crop is influenced by factors such as the cultivar, soil nutrients, or agronomical practices. Coriander has vast array of biological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial. In recent research, coriander oils or extracts have exhibited a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, being active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, molds, and parasites. This chapter highlights the coriander antimicrobial activity and possible mechanisms of action in microbial cells and discusses the possibilities for coriander use, mainly within the food industry as a food preservative.
The integral role of seeds in preagricultural diets is understandable given their high energy and nutrient density. Seeds are also particularly important in human nutrition because of their unique composition in bioactive compounds. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) is a member of the dicotyledonous family Fabaceae (Leguminosae). It grows in more than 50 countries of the world. Tamarindus indica is probably indigenous to tropical Africa but has been cultivated for so long on the Indian subcontinent. Phytochemical investigation carried out on T. indica seed revealed the presence of many active constituents, such as phenolic compounds, cardiac glycosides, L-(−)-malic acid, tartaric acid, the mucilage and pectin, arabinose, xylose, galactose, glucose, and uronic acid. It has various biological activities such as antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antivenom, and antidiabetic. Tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP) is one such example which shows more valuable properties making it a useful excipient for a wide range of applications. TSP is insoluble in organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol, acetone, and ether and in cold water, but it gets dissolved completely in hot water at temperatures above 85°C. Taking tamarind with aspirin might increase how much aspirin the body absorbs. This could increase the amount of aspirin in the body and might increase the chance of aspirin side effects.
Swietenia macrophylla King (Family: Meliaceae) seed has been mentioned as a potential antidiabetic agent in the folk medicine of different countries. The crude extracts of S. macrophylla seeds have been reported to attenuate diabetes and associated complications by triggering glucose utilization, PPARγ activation, inhibiting inflammation, and endorsing redox defense mechanism. Several antidiabetic phytochemicals were extracted from S. macrophylla seeds; however, swietenine has been regarded as the key phytochemical. Swietenine was found to exhibit antidiabetic effects by triggering glucose utilization, endorsing PPARγ activation, inhibiting superoxide generation, and impeding nitric oxide production. Considering these, the in silico molecular docking studies swietenine with the specific proteins have been executed, which revealed swietenine may interact with signal proteins, such as IRS-1, AMPK, PPARγ, NF-κB, and iNOS. Finally, in silico ADMET prediction revealed the drug-likeness character of swietenine. Therefore, swietenine would be a potential therapeutic agent for diabetes and associated complications in future.
Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) is the oldest gymnosperm species, a great survivor in polluted environments, and resistant to fungal and insect attack. Traditionally, ginkgo leaves and seeds have been used as food and phytomedicine in East Asia. Over the past few decades, ginkgo leaf extract has been highly used as a supplement in Europe and the United States. The seed and its fleshy outer coating contain the toxic compounds ginkgotoxin and ginkgolic acids, respectively. Furthermore, the endosperm and embryo (nut) inside the seed contain several bioactive proteins, such as type I nonspecific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP1) and the antifungal protein ginkbilobin-2. nsLTP1 shows high lipid-binding activity toward cis-unsaturated fatty acids and inhibits different classes of proteinases, such as pepsin and papain. Ginkbilobin-2 possesses antifungal activity, weak inhibition against pepsin, and a plant-specific cysteine-rich motif (domain of unknown function 26).
The rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) is a plant of Asiatic origin whose fruits are widely appreciated and consumed in many parts of the world. The rambutan seed, an abundant and available residue and incipiently consumed as food by populations of some producing regions, is being re-evaluated in its composition and in its edible, nutritional, and medicinal qualities, as well as an unconventional source of edible vegetable fats. The fat of the rambutan seed, with a high content of oleic and arachidic acids, has physicochemical and phase properties close to those of some partially hydrogenated fats with high contents of trans fatty acids, so the possibility of being used in many of its applications toward obtaining healthier fats and zero trans foods is highly valued.
