Modification of palm oil for anti-inflammatory nutraceutical properties

Lipids. 2009 Jul;44(7):581-92. doi: 10.1007/s11745-009-3304-8. Epub 2009 May 16.

Abstract

Palm oil is one of the most important edible oils in the world. Its composition (rich in palmitate and oleate) make it suitable for general food uses but its utility could be increased if its fatty acid quality could be varied. In this study, we have modified a palm olein fraction by transesterification with the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, alpha-linolenate or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Evaluation of the potential nutritional efficacy of the oils was made using chondrocyte culture systems which can be used to mimic many of the degenerative and inflammatory pathways involved in arthritis. On stimulation of such cultures with interleukin-1alpha, they showed increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2, the inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1alpha and IL-1beta and the proteinase ADAMTS-4. This increased expression was not affected by challenge of the cultures with palm olein alone but showed concentration-dependent reduction by the modified oil in a manner similar to EPA. These results show clearly that it is possible to modify palm oil conveniently to produce a nutraceutical with effective anti-inflammatory properties.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Experimental / genetics
  • Arthritis, Experimental / metabolism
  • Arthritis, Experimental / pathology
  • Cartilage / drug effects
  • Cartilage / metabolism
  • Cartilage / pathology
  • Cattle
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Esterification / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Palm Oil
  • Plant Oils / chemistry*
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology
  • Plant Oils / therapeutic use
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid / chemistry
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Plant Oils
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid
  • Palm Oil