Valorization of cashew nut testa phenolics through nano-complexes stabilized with whey protein isolate and ß-cyclodextrin: Characterization, anti-oxidant activity, stability and in vitro release.

Cashew nut testa (CNT) is an underutilized cashew by-product rich in polyphenols. The applications of CNT are limited due to its astringency, less solubility, and instability of polyphenols during the processing. Nanoencapsulation was used to overcome these limitations. ß-cyclodextrin alone and in combination with whey protein isolate (WPI) was used for nano-complex preparation. The WPI/CD-CNT nano-complex powder showed higher encapsulation efficiency (86.9%) and yield (70.5-80%) compared to CD-CNT powder. Both the spray-dried powders showed improved thermal stability, higher solubility (97%), less moisture content, and increased DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities indicating potential food and agricultural applications. In addition, the nano-complex powders showed a controlled release of core bio-actives under gastric and intestinal pH compared to the non-encapsulated CNT phenolic extract. Degradation kinetics studies of the CNT extract after thermal and light treatments were also discussed. Both the nano-complexes showed high stability under light and thermal treatment. The results suggest that valorization of CNT can be done through nano-complex preparation and WPI and ß-CD are efficient carrier materials for the encapsulation of polyphenols with potential applications in food and agriculture.

Comparison of supercritical CO2 extraction and pressurized fluid extraction for isolation of alkaloids from Anacardium occidentale with the study of its anti-inflammatory activity.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of natural compounds, particularly of plant origin, owing to their demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. Among these, Anacardium occidentale, commonly known as cashew, has garnered significant attention due to its reputed health benefits. This study aim to establish a correlation between the bioactive compounds contained in the extracts of Anacardium occidentale and its anti-inflammatory activity. Dried Anacardium occidentale leaves powder was used as the extraction matrix. Extraction techniques are maceration, pressurized fluid extraction (PFE), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The preliminary analysis of extracts was made by LC-MS/MS. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and heat maps were employed to model the influence of experimental conditions on extraction yield and peak area of specific compounds from the plant. To evaluate anti-inflammatory activity, RAW 264.7 cells were cultured, activated with LPS, and treated with varying concentrations of the plant extracts. Cell proliferation was assessed using the XTT assay. Indeed, Anacardium occidentale extracts contain anacardic acids, cardanols, and cardol, with distinct profiles yielded by SFE and ethanol-based methods. RSM shows that temperature and ethanol, as additives to CO2, significantly affect extraction efficiency in both PFE and SFE. Moreover, this composition with SFE demonstrate higher selectivity for specific group of compounds. The extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory properties without cytotoxicity in macrophages, reducing levels of pro-inflammatory proteins COX-2, COX-1, and TLR4 in activated cells. This suggests their potential as anti-inflammatory agents without adverse effects on cell viability or pro-inflammatory protein levels in non-activated cells. Overall, these findings underscore the promising therapeutic potential of Anacardium occidentale extracts in mitigating inflammation, while also providing crucial insights into optimizing the extraction process for targeted compound isolation. Thus, this makes a good prospect for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs from this plant.

Effects of cashew nut shell extract and monensin on in vitro ruminal fermentation, methane production, and ruminal bacterial community.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of cashew nut shell extract (CNSE) and monensin on ruminal in vitro fermentation, CH4 production, and ruminal bacterial community structure. Treatments were as follows: control (CON, basal diet without additives); 2.5 µM monensin (MON); 0.1 mg CNSE granule/g DM (CNSE100); and 0.2 mg CNSE granule/g DM (CNSE200). Each treatment was incubated with 52 mL of buffered ruminal content and 500 mg of total mixed ration for 24 h using serum vials. The experiment was performed as a complete randomized block design with 3 runs. Run was used as a blocking factor. Each treatment had 5 replicates, in which 2 were used to determine nutrient degradability, and 3 were used to determine pH, NH3-N, volatile fatty acids, lactate, total gas, CH4 production, and bacterial community composition. Treatment responses for all data, excluding bacterial abundance, were analyzed with the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS v9.4. Treatment responses for bacterial community structure were analyzed with a PERMANOVA test run with the R package vegan. Orthogonal contrasts were used to test the effects of (1) additive inclusion (ADD: CON vs. MON, CNSE100, and CNSE200); (2) additive type (MCN: MON vs. CNSE100 and CNSE200); and (3) CNSE dose (DOS: CNSE100 vs. CNSE200). We observed that pH, acetate, and acetate:propionate ratio in the CNSE100 treatment were lower compared with CNSE200, and propionate in the CNSE100 treatment was greater compared with CNSE200. Compared with MON, CNSE treatments tended to decrease total lactate concentration. Total gas production of CON was greater by 2.63% compared with all treatments, and total CH4 production was reduced by 10.64% in both CNSE treatments compared with MON. Also, compared with MON, in vitro dry matter degradabilities in CNSE treatments were lower. No effects were observed for NH3-N or in vitro neutral detergent fiber degradability. Finally, the relative abundances of Prevotella, Treponema, and Schwartzia were lower, whereas the relative abundances of Butyrivibrio and Succinivibrio were greater in all treatments compared with CON. Overall, the inclusion of CNSE decreased CH4 production compared with MON, making CNSE a possible CH4 mitigation additive in dairy cattle diets.

Antimalarial Activity of Anacardium occidentale Leaf Extracts Against Plasmodium falciparum Transketolase (PfTK).

BACKGROUND: As per estimates by WHO in 2021 almost half of the world's population was at risk of malaria and > 0.6 million deaths were attributed to malaria. Therefore, the present study was aimed to explore the antimalarial activity of extracts derived from the leaves of the plant Anacardium occidentale L., which has been used traditionally for the treatment of malaria. Different extracts of A. occidentale leaves were prepared and tested for their inhibitory activity against recombinant P. falciparum transketolase (rPfTK) enzyme, in vitro. Further, growth inhibitory activity against cultivated blood stage P. falciparum parasites (3D7 strain), was studied using SYBR Green fluorescence-based in vitro assays. Acute toxicity of the hydro alcoholic extracts of leaves of A. occidentale (HELA) at different concentrations was evaluated on mice and Zebra fish embryos. HELA showed 75.45 ± 0.35% inhibitory activity against the recombinant PfTk and 99.31 ± 0.08% growth inhibition against intra-erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum at the maximum concentration (50 µg/ml) with IC50 of 4.17 ± 0.22 µg/ml. The toxicity test results showed that the heartbeat, somite formation, tail detachment and hatching of embryos were not affected when Zebra fish embryos were treated with 0.1 to 10 µg/ml of the extract. However, at higher concentrations of the extract, at 48 h (1000 µg/ml) and 96 h (100 µg/ml and 1000 µg/ml, respectively) there was no heartbeat in the fish embryos. In the acute oral toxicity tests performed on mice, the extract showed no toxicity up to 300 mg/kg body weight in mice. CONCLUSION: The hydro-alcoholic extract of leaves of A. occidentale L. showed potent antimalarial activity against blood stage P. falciparum. Based on the observed inhibitory activity on the transketolase enzyme of P. falciparum it is likely that this enzyme is the target for the development of bioactive molecules present in the plant extracts. The promising anti-malarial activity of purified compounds from leaves of A. occidentale needs to be further explored for development of new anti-malarial therapy.

Citrin: a novel food allergen in citrus seeds and citrus-derived pectin that shows cross-reactivity with cashew and pistachio.

BACKGROUND: Patients exquisitely sensitive to cashew/pistachio are at risk for allergic reactions to citrus seeds and pectin. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we sought to evaluate whether pectin is contaminated with citrus seeds, to identify a culprit antigen in citrus seeds, and to assess for cross-reactivity among allergens in citrus seeds, citrus pectin, and cashew or pistachio. METHODS: Proteins from orange seed coats, orange seed endosperms, lemon seeds, grapefruit seeds, citrus pectin, apple pectin, and grapefruit pectin were extracted. Protein concentrations in all extracts were determined and visualized using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique. Immunoglobulin E-binding capacity was determined with Western blot analyses and tandem mass spectrometry for the identification of the culprit allergen in citrus seeds and pectin. RESULTS: In subjects with citrus seed, pectin, and cashew allergies, there was strong immunoglobulin E-reactivity to bands between 17 to 28 kDa and 28 to 38 kDa. The tandem mass spectrometry analysis of these bands indicated the presence of citrin as the culprit allergen. Citrin and Ana o 2 are both 11S globulins belonging to the cupin superfamily, and significant homology was found between these proteins. CONCLUSION: Citrus pectin may be contaminated with citrus seeds. Citrin, a newly identified allergen in citrus seeds, seems to be the culprit antigen in citrus seeds and contaminated citrus pectin. Citrin is highly homologous with Ana o 2 in cashew and Pis v 2 in pistachio, suggesting potential for cross-reactivity and providing an explanation for co-allergenicity of cashew or pistachio, citrus seeds, and citrus pectin.

Effects of enzymatic modification on the stability of cashew-based milk.

The green and low-carbon awareness drives the consumption demand for "clean-label" plant-based milk, which is limited by its physicochemical stability. Herein, the effects of enzymatic hydrolysis on the stability of cashew-based milk (CM) are explored in detail. Our results showed that a maximum protein solubility of 41.36 ± 2.14% was achieved under bromelain treatment of CM either for 60 min or with the addition of 600 U g-1. Under these hydrolysis conditions, CM showed smaller particle size, larger zeta potential, and more uniform size distribution in comparison with the control. Similar behavior was also observed in the apparent viscosity and macroscopic stability, demonstrating the fortification of moderate hydrolysis on the physical stability of CM. Interestingly, bromelain hydrolysis could favor improving the oxidative stability of CM, for which the peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were decreased by 90% and 60%, respectively, after 14 days of storage in comparison with the control. The correlation analysis confirmed that the physical and oxidative stability was highly associated with protein solubility and secondary structures like α-helix. Therefore, our findings could provide scientific support for developing plant-based milk with fortified physicochemical stability.

Effects of cashew nut shell extract supplementation on production, rumen fermentation, metabolism, and inflammatory biomarkers in transition dairy cows.

Cashew nut shell extract (CNSE) is a byproduct of the cashew nut industry, containing bioactive compounds that alter rumen fermentation patterns. Therefore, study objectives were to evaluate the effects of CNSE (59% anacardic acid and 18% cardol) on production, rumen fermentation variables, metabolism, and inflammation in transition dairy cows. A total of 51 multiparous Holstein cows were used in a randomized design and assigned to treatment based on their previous 305-d mature equivalent milk and parity. Cows were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments 21 d before expected calving: (1) CON (control diet; n = 17) or (2) CNSE-5.0 (control diet and 5.0 g/d CNSE granule [containing 50% CNSE]; n = 34). Following parturition, 17 cows (preselected at initial treatment assignment) from the CNSE-5.0 treatment were reallocated into a third treatment group: CNSE-2.5 (control diet and 2.5 g/d CNSE granule; n = 17), resulting in 3 total treatments postpartum: (1) CON, (2) CNSE-2.5, and (3) CNSE-5.0. Prepartum rumen pH was unaltered by treatment; however, postpartum rumen pH was increased (0.31 units) in CNSE cows relative to CON. Prepartum rumen ammonia N concentration tended to be decreased (34%) in CNSE-5.0 cows compared with CON, and there tended to be a quadratic effect on postpartum ammonia N, as it was decreased in CNSE-2.5 compared with CON and CNSE-5.0. Prepartum dry matter intake (DMI) was unaffected by treatment; however, postpartum DMI was increased (8%) in CNSE cows relative to CON. No treatment differences were observed in pre- or postpartum digestibility measurements. Milk and protein yields from cows fed CNSE tended to be increased (6% and 7%, respectively) relative to CON. No treatment differences were detected for energy-corrected milk, feed efficiency, body weight, body condition score, energy balance, milk composition, milk urea nitrogen, or somatic cell count. Prepartum fecal pH decreased (0.12 units) in CNSE-5.0 cows relative to CON cows but was similar between treatments postpartum. Supplementing CNSE did not affect prepartum glucose, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), or insulin. However, prepartum circulating blood urea nitrogen tended to be decreased and glucagon was decreased in CNSE-5.0 cows compared with CON (9 and 20%, respectively). Additionally, CNSE supplementation decreased glucose and insulin concentrations postpartum relative to CON cows (6% and 20%, respectively). Quadratic effects were detected for postpartum circulating NEFA and BHB such that their levels were increased in CNSE-2.5 cows relative to CON and CNSE-5.0. Pre- and postpartum circulating serum amyloid A, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, and haptoglobin were unaffected by treatment. Overall, CNSE influenced some key rumen fermentation variables, altered postabsorptive metabolism, and increased production parameters in transition dairy cows.

Intra-Amniotic Administration of Cashew Nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) Soluble Extract Improved Gut Functionality and Morphology In Vivo (Gallus gallus).

Cashew nuts are rich in dietary fibers, monounsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, tocopherols, flavonoids, catechins, amino acids, and minerals that offer benefits for health. However, the knowledge of its effect on gut health is lacking. In this way, cashew nut soluble extract (CNSE) was assessed in vivo via intra-amniotic administration in intestinal brush border membrane (BBM) morphology, functionality, and gut microbiota. Four groups were evaluated: (1) no injection (control); (2) H2O injection (control); (3) 10 mg/mL CNSE (1%); and (4) 50 mg/mL CNSE (5%). Results related to CNSE on duodenal morphological parameters showed higher Paneth cell numbers, goblet cell (GC) diameter in crypt and villi, depth crypt, mixed GC per villi, and villi surface area. Further, it decreased GC number and acid and neutral GC. In the gut microbiota, treatment with CNSE showed a lower abundance of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and E. coli. Further, in intestinal functionality, CNSE upregulated aminopeptidase (AP) gene expression at 5% compared to 1% CNSE. In conclusion, CNSE had beneficial effects on gut health by improving duodenal BBM functionality, as it upregulated AP gene expression, and by modifying morphological parameters ameliorating digestive and absorptive capacity. For intestinal microbiota, higher concentrations of CNSE or long-term intervention may be necessary.

Neuroprotection by Alstonia boonei De Wild., Anacardium occidentale L., Azadirachta indica A.Juss. and Mangifera indica L.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE: Alstonia boonei De Wild. (stem bark), Anacardium occidentale L. (stem bark), Azadirachta indica A.Juss (leaves), Enantia chlorantha Oliv. (stem bark), Khaya senegalensis A.Juss (stem bark) Mangifera indica L. (stem bark), and Nauclea latifolia Sm. (stem bark) are used for treating malaria in southwest Nigeria. Surveys revealed that these plants are also employed for treating symptoms of malaria and cerebral malaria in the region. AIM OF THE STUDY: In this study, the effects of freeze-dried extracts of these plants were investigated on synthetic hemozoin (HZ)-induced neuroinflammation, neuronal damage, and increased permeability of brain microvascular endothelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Effects of freeze-dried plant extracts were investigated on neuroinflammation by measuring levels of pro-inflammatory mediators in culture supernatants, while in-cell western assays were used to measure protein levels of iNOS and NLRP3. Effects on HZ-induced neurotoxicity and ROS generation was measured using MTT and DCFDA assays, respectively. HZ-induced permeability of hCMEC/D3 endothelial cells was determined using the in vitro vascular permeability assay kit. RESULTS: The extracts produced significant (p < 0.05) reduction in TNFα, IL-6, IL-1ß, MCP-1, RANTES and iNOS/NO production in HZ-stimulated BV-2 microglia. Pre-treatment with 50 µg/mL of A. boonei, A. indica, A. occidentale, E. chlorantha and M. indica also resulted in the inhibition of NF-κB activation. Pre-treatment with A. indica produced, A. occidentale, M. indica and A. boonei reduced HZ-induced increased NLRP3 protein expression. HZ-induced increased caspase-1 activity was also reduced by A. boonei, A. occidentale, A. indica, E. chlorantha, and M. indica. Freeze-dried extracts of A. boonei, A. occidentale, A. indica and M. indica produced neuroprotective effect in HT-22 neuronal cells incubated with HZ by preventing HZ-induced neurotoxicity, ROS generation, DNA fragmentation and caspase 3/7 activity. Inhibition of HZ-induced increase in permeability of human hCMEC/D3 brain endothelial cells was also observed with A. boonei, A. occidentale, A. indica and M. indica, while reducing the release of TNFα and MMP-9. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that A. boonei, A. occidentale, A. indica and M. indica are neuroprotective through inhibition of neuroinflammation, neuronal damage and increased permeability of blood brain barrier. The outcome of the study provides pharmacological evidence for the potential benefits of plants as herbal treatments for cerebral malaria symptoms.

Characterization of slow pyrolysis products from three different cashew wastes.

A huge amount of waste is generated by the cashew processing industries. This study aims to valorise these cashew wastes generated at different levels while processing cashew nuts in factories. The feedstocks include cashew skin, cashew shell and cashew shell de-oiled cake. Slow pyrolysis of these three different cashew wastes was performed at varying temperatures (300-500℃) at a heating rate of 10℃/min in a lab scale glass-tubular reactor under inert atmosphere of nitrogen with flow rate of 50 ml/min. The total bio-oil yield for cashew skin and the de-oiled shell cake was 37.1 and 48.6 wt% at 400℃ and 450℃, respectively. However, the maximum bio-oil yield obtained for cashew shell waste was 54.9 wt% at 500℃. The bio-oil was analysed using GC-MS, FTIR, and NMR. Along with the various functionalities observed in bio-oil through GC-MS, phenolics were observed to have maximum area% for all the feedstocks at all temperatures. At all the slow pyrolysis temperatures, cashew skin led to more biochar yield (40 wt%) as compared to cashew de-oiled cake (26 wt%) and cashew shell waste (22 wt%). Biochar was characterized by various analytical tools such as XRD, FTIR, Proximate analyser, CHNS, Py-GC/MS and SEM. Characterization of biochar revealed its carbonaceous and amorphous nature along with porosity.

Leaf extract of Anacardium occidentale ameliorates biomarkers of neuroinflammation, memory loss, and neurobehavioral deficit in N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) treated rats.

PURPOSE: Anacardium occidentale commonly known as Cashew is a plant that is widely used in African traditional medicine. It is endowed with phytochemical constituents that are responsible for its medicinal properties. METHODS: Twenty-five male Wistar rats were grouped as follows: Control (Group A), Group B (L-NAME 40 mg/kg), Group C (100 mg/kg Anacardium occidentale extract plus 40 mg/kg L-NAME), Group D (200 mg/kg extract plus 40 mg/kg L-NAME) and Group E (10 mg/kg of Lisinopril plus 40 mg/kg L-NAME). The animals were treated with oral administration of either the extracts or Lisnopril daily for 4 weeks. Neuro-behavioural tests such as the Morris Water Maze and Hanging Wire Grip tests were carried out to evaluate memory/spatial learning and muscular strength, respectively. Makers of oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes and immunohistochemical staining of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and Ionised Calcium Binding Adaptor molecule 1 were assessed. RESULTS: L-NAME administration caused significant increases in biomarkers of oxidative stress, decreased antioxidant status, acetylcholinesterase activity, altered neuro-behavioural changes, astrocytosis, and microgliosis. However, Anacardium occidentale reversed exaggerated oxidative stress biomarkers and improved neuro-behavioural changes. CONCLUSIONS: Combining all, Anacardium occidentale enhanced brain antioxidant defence status, improved memory and muscular strength, thus, suggesting the neuroprotective properties of Anacardium occidentale.

Anacardium occidentale L. (cajueiro) in the healing of skin wounds: an experimental study in rats.

PURPOSE: To analyze the effects of Anacardium occidentale Linn on the healing of skin wounds. METHODS: Twenty Wistar male rats were distributed into four groups (with five animals each one): negative control group (NCG), treated with saline solution; cashew tree group (CG), treated with hydroalcoholic extract of the bark of A. occidentale Linn; manipulated cashew tree group (MCG), with the ointment of extract of the bark of A. occidentale Linn; positive control group (PCG), treated with sunflower oil. All animals were examined daily, observing the macroscopic aspects of the surgical wound. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used for tissue morphology analysis and Masson's trichrome for better collagen fiber characterization. RESULTS: On day 7, the MCG group had the expansion of the surgical wound covered by crust, exceeding the initial limits. On day 21, the wounds were observed to be completely closed and epithelialized in the NCG and CG groups. PCG and MCG still had remnants of crusts on the wound. The NCG was the only one not to present an abscess in histopathological analysis. CONCLUSIONS: There was a prolongation of the healing phase of the animals treated with the extract, and the animals in the NCG showed a better outcome by histological analysis.

The effect of flavonols in Anacardium occidentale L. leaf extracts on skin pathogenic microorganisms.

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) leaf is traditionally used to treat skin infections. Although many flavonols have been identified from its leaf extract, their inhibitory effects on skin pathogens are not yet determined. The aims of this study were to determine the antimicrobial (against skin pathogenic microbes) and antioxidant activities of four flavonol glycosides from the crude extract and three flavonol aglycones from the hydrolyzed extract. The hydrolyzed extract was found to show higher activities than the crude extract. Myricetin showed the highest activity against all the tested bacteria and yeast with the lowest Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) of 7.81 µg/mL on Corynebacterium minutissimum ATCC23348. Myricetin also exhibited good primary antioxidant activities with the effective concentration with 50% of activity (EC50) values ranged between 2.23 µg/mL and 6.40 µg/mL. The highest secondary antioxidant activity was indicated by myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside. Thus, myricetin can be considered as a bioactive compound of the hydrolyzed extract.

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) Nut-Shell Liquid as Antioxidant in Bulk Soybean Oil.

Recently, natural antioxidants for the food industry have become an important focus. Cashew nut-shell liquid (CNSL) is composed of compounds that can act as natural antioxidants in food systems. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of CNSL and its components to act as natural antioxidants in a bulk oil system. CNSL was treated with calcium hydroxide to obtain two fractions [cardol/cardanols acid fraction (CCF) and anacardic acid fraction (AF)]. CNSL, FF and AF were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The protective effects of CNSL, CCF and AF were tested in terms of the peroxide value of bulk soybean oil in accelerated assays and were compared against controls with and without synthetic antioxidants (CSA and CWA). CNLS, CCF, AF and CSA were tested at 200 mg/kg soybean oil by incubation at 30, 40, 50 and 60 °C for five days. The activation energy (Ea) for the production of peroxides was calculated by using the linearized Arrhenius equation. Thin-layer chromatography and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that (i) CNSL contained cardanols, anacardic acids, and cardols; (ii) CCF contained cardanols and cardols; and (iii) AF contained anacardic acids. CSA (Ea 35,355 J/mol) was the most effective antioxidant, followed by CCF (Ea 31,498 J/mol) and by CNSL (Ea 26,351 J/mol). AF exhibited pro-oxidant activity (Ea 8339 J/mol) compared with that of CWA (Ea 15,684 J/mol). Therefore, cardols and cardanols from CNSL can be used as a natural antioxidant in soybean oil.

Hypoglycemic, Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Potentials of Ethanolic Stem Bark Extract of Anacardium occidentale in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most widespread diseases affecting the world's population causing substantial morbidity, mortality and long-term complications. This study was designed to investigate possible hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant effect of ethanolic stem bark extract of Anacardium occidentale in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Twenty-eight STZ (60 mg/kg body weight)-induced diabetic, male albino rats were randomly distributed into Groups II-V (7 rats each) and orally administered with water, metformin (14.2 mg/kg), 200 mg/kg Anacardium occidentale extract and 400 mg/kg Anacardium occidentale extract respectively daily for 15 days. Group I rats were untreated with STZ and serves as control all under the same sham handling. Blood samples were taken for measurement of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and lipid profile. Liver and kidney tissue samples were taken for determination of glycemic indices (glucose and glycogen), as well as redox status markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione (GSH), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-s-transferase (GST). Results showed that treatment with 200 and 400 mg/kg Anacardium occidentale stem bark extract reversed hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia induced by STZ similar to what was observed with the standard drug, metformin. Similarly, both extract concentration produced a significant reduction in MDA while the activity of SOD and GST, as well as concentration of GSH were elevated. This study suggested that ethanolic stem bark extract of Anacardium occidentale at 200 and 400 mg/kg can ameliorate diabetes and its associated complications via its hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties.

Comparison of functional-oil blend and anticoccidial antibiotics effects on performance and microbiota of broiler chickens challenged by coccidiosis.

This study aimed to compare the effects of different levels of cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) and castor oil (CNSL-castor oil) with growth-promoting antibiotics associated with anticoccidials in broiler chickens challenged with coccidiosis. In this work, 2520 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Cobb) were randomly assigned to 84 pens, containing 30 birds each. The experimental design was completely randomized, with seven treatments: enramycin (8 ppm), virginiamycin (16.5 ppm), and tylosin (55 ppm); different doses of CNSL-castor oil (0.5, 0.75, and 1.00 kg/t); and a control diet (without additives). All treatments received semduramicin + nicarbazin (500 g/t; Aviax® Plus) from 0 to 28 d and monensin sodium (100 ppm; Elanco) from 29 to 35 days of age, when the feed was without antibiotics. The challenge was introduced at 14 days of age by inoculating broiler chickens with sporulated Eimeria tenella, Eimeria acervulina, and Eimeria maxima oocysts via oral gavage. In addition to performance parameters, intestinal contents were collected at 28 and 42 days of age for microbiota analysis by sequencing the 16s rRNA in V3 and V4 regions using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Taxonomy was assigned using the SILVA database (v. 138) with QIIME2 software (v. 2020.11). After one week of challenge, the broilers that received tylosin had a higher body weight gain (BWG) than those in the control group (p < 0.05), while the other treatments presented intermediate values. At 28 d, the BWG was lower for the control, CNSL-Castor oil 0.5 kg/t, enramycin, and virginiamycin treatments than that in the tylosin treatment. The inclusion of CNSL-Castor oil at concentrations of 0.75 and 1 kg/t acted as an intermediate treatment (p < 0.05). For alpha diversity, using the Shannon index, it was possible to observe the effect of age, with substantial diversity at 42 d. The Firmicutes phylum had the highest abundance, with values between 84.33% and 95.16% at 42 d. Tylosin showed better performance indices than other treatments. CNSL-castor oil treatments with concentrations of 0.75 and 1 kg/t showed similar results to those of enramycin and virginiamycin. Furthermore, CNSL-castor oil acted as a modulator of intestinal microbiota, reducing the abundance of pathogenic bacteria.

Effect of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) nut-supplemented diet on steroidogenic enzymes, hormonal and oxidative imbalances, and sperm parameters in cisplatin-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.

Cisplatin (CP) is a chemotherapeutic/anticancer drug culpable in sperm and testicular damage, but the use of dietary patterns has been reported to averse this effect. To date, no report on the use of roasted cashew nut-supplemented diets (RCNSD) against chemotherapy-induced testicular damage has been presented. In this study, the effect of 10% and 20% RCNSD on reproductive hormones, sperm parameters, testicular and epididymal antioxidant status, and steroidogenic enzymes activities in CP-induced rats were determined. Interestingly, these parameters were boosted, but with a decrement in radical species level in the testes/epididymis of CP-induced rats fed with RCNSD as against the untreated CP-induced rats. The modulatory effect of RCNSD on the tested reproductive parameters in studied tissues could be among the mechanism of action, by which RCNSD mitigates andrological toxicity. Hence, RCNSD could be harnessed as a functional food/nutraceutical agent for alleviating the andrological toxicity of CP-induced male reproduction. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Consumption of cashew nuts has been a great benefit to human health, as a result of its richness in nutritional constituents including biologically active amino acids, tocopherols, fatty acids, polyphenols, and selenium, among others. Cashew nuts are mostly consumed fried/roasted, with yoghurt, as a paste, or used as an ingredient in confectionery products. The folkloric use of cashew nuts in the management of cardiovascular diseases, male reproductive disorders, and diabetes has been reported. In this study, the ability of roasted cashew nut-supplemented diets to modulate reproductive hormones, sperm parameters, testicular and epididymal antioxidant status, and steroidogenic enzymes activities in CP-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats was revealed, thus, indicating its possible use, clinically, in the management of reproductive toxicity induced by cancer drugs.

Expected global suitability of coffee, cashew and avocado due to climate change.

Coffee, cashew and avocado are of high socio-economic importance in many tropical smallholder farming systems around the globe. As plantation crops with a long lifespan, their cultivation requires long-term planning. The evaluation of climate change impacts on their biophysical suitability is therefore essential for developing adaptation measures and selecting appropriate varieties or crops. In this study, we modelled the current and future suitability of coffee arabica, cashew and avocado on a global scale based on climatic and soil requirements of the three crops. We used climate outputs of 14 global circulation models based on three emission scenarios to model the future (2050) climate change impacts on the crops both globally and in the main producing countries. For all three crops, climatic factors, mainly long dry seasons, mean temperatures (high and low), low minimum temperatures and annual precipitation (high and low), were more restrictive for the global extent of suitable growing regions than land and soil parameters, which were primarily low soil pH, unfavourable soil texture and steep slopes. We found shifts in suitable growing regions due to climate change with both regions of future expansion and contraction for all crops investigated. Coffee proved to be most vulnerable, with negative climate impacts dominating in all main producing regions. For both cashew and avocado, areas suitable for cultivation are expected to expand globally while in most main producing countries, the areas of highest suitability may decrease. The study reveals that climate change adaptation will be necessary in most major producing regions of all three crops. At high latitudes and high altitudes, however, they may all profit from increasing minimum temperatures. The study presents the first global assessment of climate change impacts on cashew and avocado suitability.

In vitro antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of Anacardium occidentale L. extracts and their toxicity on PBMCs and zebrafish embryos.

This study evaluated the in vitro antimicrobial and immunomodulatory action of crude extracts from Anacardium occidentale L. (cashew tree) leaves and bark, and to determine their toxicity to peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and to zebrafish embryos and larvae. Chemical analysis of extracts was performed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). The antibacterial activity was evaluated against selected bacteria strains by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Cytotoxicity of the extracts was assessed using resazurin method, while the effect on production of ROS by PMN leukocytes was measured by luminol. Embryotoxicity to zebrafish was assessed using the fish embryo acute toxicity test (FET) and quantification of toxicity marker enzymes (AChE, LDH, and GST). 1H-NMR results showed anacardic acid as the main component of the extracts. All bacterial species tested were sensitive to the extracts, with MICs ranging from 312.5 to 10,000 µg/mL. Streptococcus mutans and Escherichia coli were the most susceptible species. The extracts promoted cell viability above 75% at concentrations from 1.25 to 80 µg/mL. Both extracts reduced zymosan-induced ROS (p < 0.05) at concentrations of 1, 8, and 80 µg/mL compared to the control. In vivo, there were embryotoxic effects in zebrafish embryos exposed to both extracts through the presence of lethal and sublethal endpoints. The samples also acted by inhibiting the activities of biomarker enzymes. The A. occidentale L. bark and leaf extracts showed antimicrobial potential and modulated ROS production in vitro, but these also showed embryotoxic effects to zebrafish.