Effects of Apricot and Apricot Kernels on Human Health and Nutrition: A Review of Recent Human Research

Abstract

Plants are one of the most important sources of medicine for humans to face diseases and disorders. Despite some advances in the field of allopathic system of medicine, adverse reactions have not been prevented from being an integral part of modern medicine. Plants are one of the important sources of drug discovery in both modern and traditional medicine systems worldwide. Recent developments in food and nutrition, consumer preferences shifted to foods rich in nutraceuticals. Furthermore 70% of marketed drugs are either natural or semisynthetic materials which derived from plants. Most literature on complementary alternative medicine worldwide either reports the nature of phytocomponents in medicinal plants or shows a mechanistic basis for their pharmacological activities. The medicinal and therapeutic effect of apricot has not been studied so far. In this review, an attempt has been made highlight the importance of apricot and its kernel in human health and nutrition by summarizing the literature reports published to date. Apricot exhibited diversified effects on degenerative diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and hemostasis, at the same time has many pharmacological effects such as anti-parasitic, anti-aging, anti-atherosclerosis, renoprotective, hepatoprotective and antioxidant have been reported.

Biochemical Characterization of Traditional Varieties of Apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) of the Campania Region, Southern Italy

“…In fact, it can exert different positive effects against such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and those diseases related to the aging. Furthermore, it can have protective effect on kidney and liver [ 10 ].…”

Apricot Kernel: Bioactivity, Characterization, Applications, and Health Attributes

“…Turkey is the world’s leading producer of apricots (127,328 tons) and produces approximately 22.9% of the world’s fresh apricots and nearly 68% of the world’s dried apricots [ 4 ]. According to available literature, it has been concluded that apricot kernels can also be utilized for thermal energy storage [ 5 ], traditional medicine [ 6 ], production or maintaining the quality of oils [ 7 ], cosmetic products [ 8 , 9 ], food products [ 10 ], and fabrication of antimicrobial film [ 11 ]. Especially in the food industry, apricot kernels along with skins are used in the formulation of bakery and confectionery products [ 12 ].…”

“…Moreover, Alajil et al [ 16 ] reported that the maximum tolerance of amygdalin by human intravenous injection is approximately 0.07 g/kg, and interestingly, numerous studies revealed that bitterness is one of the major causes that restrict the industrial application and nutritional value of wild apricot kernels [ 5 ]. Despite the several benefits of the fruit, the apricot kernel comprises potential bioactive components and nutrients including carotenoids, carbohydrates, vitamins, phenols, terpenoids, esters, and volatile compounds [ 7 ]. The apricot kernel is also considered a promising ingredient in the health sector as it has anti-cancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiasthma, inflammatory, atherosclerotic, anti-analgesic, and anti-hyperlipidemia properties [ 7 ].…”

“…Despite the several benefits of the fruit, the apricot kernel comprises potential bioactive components and nutrients including carotenoids, carbohydrates, vitamins, phenols, terpenoids, esters, and volatile compounds [ 7 ]. The apricot kernel is also considered a promising ingredient in the health sector as it has anti-cancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiasthma, inflammatory, atherosclerotic, anti-analgesic, and anti-hyperlipidemia properties [ 7 ]. They hold enormous properties in several industries inducing cosmetic [ 17 ], pharmaceutical [ 7 ], and food industries [ 18 ] due to their low cost and eco-friendly nature.…”

“…The apricot kernel is also considered a promising ingredient in the health sector as it has anti-cancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiasthma, inflammatory, atherosclerotic, anti-analgesic, and anti-hyperlipidemia properties [ 7 ]. They hold enormous properties in several industries inducing cosmetic [ 17 ], pharmaceutical [ 7 ], and food industries [ 18 ] due to their low cost and eco-friendly nature. However, several techniques have been adopted for the extraction of bioactive compounds from the apricot kernel such as solvent extraction, ultrasonication, enzyme-assisted, microwave-assisted, and aqueous extraction [ 19 ].…”