Argania

Generic name: Argania Spinosa (L.) Skeels.
Brand names: Ardjane, Argan, Argane, Argania, Arganier, Moroccan Ironwood

Usage of Argania

Analgesic activity

Animal data

Peripheral and central analgesic effects were evaluated in a study in mice and rats fed A. spinosa cakes. For the crude saponins, peripheral analgesic activity was obtained at doses between 50 and 500 mg/kg per oral administration, with maximal effectiveness at 500 mg/kg. No central analgesic activity was observed.Alaoui 1998

Antihypertensive effects

Animal data

In an animal model, long-term treatment with argan oil prevented the development of hypertension, substantially modifying mean blood pressure from the fifth week of treatment without altering heart rate and body weight in 4-week-old spontaneously hypertensive male rats (n=12) compared with normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (n=12).Berrougui 2004 Treatment with virgin argan oil for 3 weeks to diabetic hypertensive rats prevented increases in blood pressure (remaining constant at 131 mm Hg after 21 days) compared to untreated animals (157 mm Hg) (P<0.001).Bellahcen 2013

Anti-inflammatory effects

Animal data

Anti-inflammatory effects of A. spinosa have been demonstrated. Rat paw edema, induced by carrageenin and experimental trauma, was reduced with administration of crude argan saponin at a dose of 10 mg/kg orally. At doses of approximately 50 to 100 mg/kg orally, anti-inflammatory activity of crude argan saponin was similar to that with indomethacin treatment.Alaoui 1998

Cardiovascular disease risk factors

Cholesterol-lowering/antioxidant effects

Argan oil is rich in oleic and linoleic acid. Oleic acid is an unsaturated acid that is difficult to oxidize. It is involved in the fluidity of lipoproteins and, as a consequence, the generation of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Dietary linoleic acid serves as a precursor for biosynthesis of arachidonic acid through cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase. It has long been accepted as having hypocholesterolemic effects. More recently, linoleic acid derivatives, particularly gamma-linolenic acid, were found to be even more potent in reducing blood cholesterol in humans and rats. Linoleic acid in artisan argan oil extract is more stable because of the low concentration of conjugated dienes, which are the main precursors in oxidative reactions. It has also been reported that a dietary intake of gamma-linolenic acid 3 to 8 mmol/day reduces serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Decreases in cholesterol concentration could be due to low intestinal absorption of cholesterol because of the activity of saponins in argan oil. Other compounds present in argan oil that could prevent lipoprotein structural alteration are beta-carotenes and alpha-tocopherol.Berrougui 2003

Animal and in vitro data

In a study evaluating dietary argan oil on serum lipid composition in rats, LDL, cholesterol, triglycerides, and body weight were reduced.Berrougui 2003 In a study evaluating the beneficial properties of virgin argan oil phenolic extracts on cholesterol in human THP-1 macrophages, argan oil extract protected LDL from oxidation by direct or indirect antioxidant activity. The extract increased cholesterol efflux by increasing HDL lipid-bilayer fluidity. However, further studies are needed to clarify the exact action on lipoprotein oxidation and reverse cholesterol transport. These results support the use of argan oil as a dietary supplement.Berrougui 2006

Clinical data

Consumption of virgin argan oil is associated with low levels of plasma LDL cholesterol in healthy subjects compared with nonconsumers living in southwest Morocco. In addition, a higher plasma content of vitamin E accompanied with lower lipoperoxides suggests an antioxidant effect. The values of plasma lipid, lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein parameters between argan oil consumers and nonconsumers are as follows: LDL cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the consumers group compared with nonconsumers (2.47±0.81 mmol/L vs 2.83±0.77 mmol/L; P<0.05); lipoprotein(a) concentrations were lower in the consumers group (25.14±17.73 mg/dL vs 33.67±20.01 mg/dL; P<0.05); plasma total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels were lower in consumers without reaching statistical significance; a reduction of apolipoprotein B in LDL particles was observed in the consumers group (41.14±13.89 mg/dL vs 54.96±27.35 mg/dL; P<0.05).Drissi 2004 A controlled trial in 40 healthy Algerian subjects investigated the effects of Algerian argan oil on lipid parameters, markers of oxidation, and antioxidant status. Argan oil was consumed at a dose of 15 g/day for 30 days and was comprised of oleic acid (45.01%), linoleic acid (35.39%), saturated fatty acids (17.7%; palmitic and stearic), and linolenic acid (0.2%), with very low levels of vitamin E and polyphenols (56.34 and 52.36 mg/kg, respectively). Although Algerian argan oil appears to contain less vitamin E than Moroccan argan oil or extra virgin olive oil, it was sufficient to elicit a significant reduction in the oxidation of circulating and cellular lipids (P<0.05) compared with controls according to measures of plasma and erythrocyte levels of hydroperoxies (lipoperoxides) and thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances. However, neither plasma oxygen radical absorbance capacity nor oxidation of protein (carbonyls) was affected. Additionally, triacyl glycerol, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol levels decreased by 20.97% (P<0.05), 14.63% (P<0.05), and 16.05% (P<0.001), respectively. The susceptibility of LDL to oxidation was also decreased.Sour 2012

In patients with dyslipidemia, consumption of argan oil 25 mL/day instead of butter for 3 weeks improved total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol as well as cardiovascular risk factors, including platelet aggregation activity (P=0.03), thromboxane B2 levels (P<0.05), and platelet oxidative status (malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase; P=0.02 each). Total and LDL cholesterol decreased by 23.8% (P=0.004) and 25.6% (P=0.02), respectively. HDL cholesterol aso improved, with an increase of 26% (P=0.01).Haimeur 2013 The effect of virgin argan oil on lipid parameters was also investigated in a randomized, controlled crossover study of patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis (N=37). Patients were randomized to their usual diet, or their usual diet supplemented with virgin argan oil 30 mL/day for 4 weeks. Compared with the control diet, consumption of virgin argan oil improved triglycerides (−0.18 g/L), total cholesterol (−0.09 g/L), LDL (−0.11 g/L), and HDL (+0.06 g/L) (P=0.03, P=0.02, P=0.03, and P=0.01, respectively). Argan oil supplementation also provided significant improvement in oxidative stress compared with the control diet, based on improvements in vitamin E (P<0.001) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (P=0.002).Eljaoudi 2015

Food

Moroccans have traditionally used the rich oil of the argan tree for cooking or for spreading on toast.Bellakhdar 1991, Charrouf 1999 The oil is reportedly high in vitamins A and E and unsaturated fatty acids, and is also used as a flavoring.Argania 2011

As a component of medical nutrition therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association Standards of Care (2014) recommends higher quality dietary fat intake, as an alternative to decreased fat intake, by replacing saturated and/or trans fats with mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids in the diet. This Mediterranean-style approach to eating may improve glycemic control and cardiovascular disease risk factors (moderate quality evidence).ADA 2014

Hormonal effects

Clinical data

A randomized trial conducted in healthy young Moroccan male students at the Health Careers Institute investigated the effect of virgin argan oil and extra virgin olive oil on androgenic hormones as well as anthropometric markers. All participants were given butter during a 2-week stabilization period followed by 3 weeks of argan or olive oil. The authors reported increases in testosterone and luteinizing hormone from the end of the stabilization period to the end of the intervention period, with no difference observed between the 2 oil treatments. However, data for androgen levels compared with baseline were not reported. Compared with the end of the stabilization period, no anthropometric parameters changed.Derouiche 2013

Argania side effects

A 34-year-old Moroccan man exhibited an allergic reaction to argan oil that first presented as rhinitis and conjunctivitis upon smelling the oil. After ingestion of the oil, he experienced epigastralgia, hypersalivation, and throat discomfort, and 20 minutes later generalized erythema, urticaria, and decreased peak flow.Astier 2010 In a case series, 9 workers in an argan industrial processing plant who experienced flu-like symptoms after handling argan cakes were subjected to a test challenge of argan powder. Of the 6 workers who had a positive respiratory response to the test challenge, 2 were diagnosed with argan hypersensitivity pneumonitis.Paris 2015

Before taking Argania

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

How to use Argania

Cardiovascular disease risk factors

15 g/day of argan oil for up to 4 weeks has been used in clinical trials evaluating effects of dietary intake of the oil on surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease (eg, lipid profiles) in healthy subjects.Drissi 2004, Sour 2012 Doses of 25 mL/day to 30 mL/day for 3 to 4 weeks have demonstrated antioxidant activity and improved cholesterol levels in randomized controlled trials.Eljaoudi 2015, Haimeur 2013

Warnings

No data.

What other drugs will affect Argania

None well documented.

Disclaimer

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