Experimental and Therapeutic Trials of Amygdalin

Abstract

Natural substances and alternative medications such as amygdalin gained huge popularity in treating various diseases due to wide availability and relatively low cost. Nevertheless, their use may cause serious side effects unless appropriate doses are considered. Therefore, this review illustrates the purported anticancer activity of amygdalin as well as its other effects on different body systems. For instance, the endocrine, urinary, genital and respiratory systems, considering its toxic side effects. Also, this review mentions a variety of clinical trials using amygdalin on both, humans and animals.

The pharmacological effect of apricot seeds extracts and amygdalin in experimentally induced liver damage and hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Apricot seeds contain a chemical substance is known as Amygdalin which is naturally cyanogenic glycoside known as vitamin B17 (15). It can be used for treating skin diseases such as furuncle, acne vulgaris and dandruff, preventing and treating migraine, hypertension, chronic inflammation, constipation and other diseases (16).…”

The Multiple Actions of Amygdalin on Cellular Processes with an Emphasis on Female Reproduction

“…In fact, amygdalin is a cyanogenic glucoside, and its purified form is called laetrile which refers to the terms levorotatory and mandelonitrile. Laetrile is a semi-synthetic cyanogenic glucuronide, and therefore it is structurally different from amygdalin [6,[27][28][29]. Vitamin B17 is also a misnomer as amygdalin is not considered as a vitamin in strict sense [30].…”

“…It has D-mandelonitrile-beta-D-gentiobioside structure. However, the active form of amygdalin is R-amygdalin, a right-handed structure that is its natural form ( Figure 1 ) [ 6 , 18 ]. Although known as vitamin B-17 or laetrile, from a biomedical point of view they are not the same product as amygdalin.…”

“…Apricot seeds also make an important contribution to the diet in many countries [ 5 ]. Amygdalin, a biomolecule present in the seeds of apricot and other fruits, gained wide popularity owing to its purported anti-cancer activity [ 6 ]. Around 5000 years ago, the Egyptian papyri mentioned the beneficial use of the bitter almonds derivatives in treating skin tumors.…”

“…Consequently, many researchers and scientists all over the globe carried out various studies and clinical trials to prove the anticancer activity of amygdalin. Despite the beneficial effect of cyanide against cancer, it may cause several harmful side effects and lead to toxicity [ 6 , 11 ], especially from amygdalin tablets ingestion [ 12 ].…”