Cold-Pressed Sacha Inchi Oil: High in Omega-3 and Prevents Fat Accumulation in the Liver

Abstract

The ability of oil supplementation to inhibit various metabolic syndromes has been recognized. However, there are currently no studies determining the effects of oil supplements on healthy conditions. Plukenetia volubilis L., also known as Sacha inchi, is a seed rich in essential unsaturated fatty acids that improves metabolic syndrome diseases, such as obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver. However, the health benefits and effects of Sacha inchi oil (SIO) supplementation remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the chemical effects and properties of Sacha inchi oil. The results of the chemical compound analysis showed that Sacha inchi is an abundant source of ω-3 fatty acids, with a content of 44.73%, and exhibits scavenging activity of 240.53 ± 11.74 and 272.41 ± 6.95 µg Trolox/g, determined via DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively, while both olive and lard oils exhibited lower scavenging activities compared with Sacha inchi. Regarding liver histology, rats given Sacha inchi supplements showed lower TG accumulation and fat droplet distribution in the liver than those given lard supplements, with fat areas of approximately 14.19 ± 6.49% and 8.15 ± 2.40%, respectively. In conclusion, our findings suggest that Sacha inchi oil is a plant source of ω-3 fatty acids and antioxidants and does not induce fatty liver and pathology in the kidney, pancreas, and spleen. Therefore, it has the potential to be used as a dietary supplement to improve metabolic syndrome diseases.