04 THE ROLE OF CARBOHYDRATE IN HEALTH AND ELSEWHERE
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PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATIONS
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4.1 Pharmaceutical applications
HARIS PRATSINIS
Chemist, Researcher, Institute of Life Sciences and Applications, NCSR "Demokritos"
Carobs, as well as, the leaves and the bark of the carob tree may have multiple pharmaceutical uses, as indicated through traditional medicinal and ethnomedicinal reports from many Mediterranean and Arabic countries (Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Tunis, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Turkey, Iraq, Iran)1. This is also supported by recent experimental data, mainly based on animal models. For example, carob and carob tree bark have been shown to possess antioxidant activity and to suppress oxidative stress in various tissues2,3. Especially regarding the digestive tract, carob extracts seem to exert anti-inflammatory actions4, while the locust bean gum produced by carob is acting as a thickening agent, thus inhibiting gastroesophageal reflux in infants5.
Very important are also the anti-diabetic properties of extracts from the carob tree and pods, as they affect key enzymes for the type-II diabetes onset, and inhibit intestinal glucose absorption while improving glucose tolerance in alloxan-induced diabetes in rats6,7. The rich in polyphenoles insoluble fiber obtained from carob pod seem to exert a beneficial action on rabbit liver inhibiting dyslipidemia caused by a rich in cholesterol diet8.
All these data, along with preliminary observations regarding the possible anxiolytic and antidepressant activities of carob tree products9,10, will require further research efforts for their validation, as well as, for the detection of the beneficial carob constituents and for the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved.
Bibliography
1) Azab (2017) Eur. Chem. Bull. 6: 456
2) El Hajaji et al. (2011) Arab. J. Chem. 4: 321
3) Sebai et al. (2013) J. Med. Plants Res. 7: 85
4) Rtibi et al. (2017) Biomed. Pharmacother. 93: 522
5) Georgieva et al. (2016) World J. Clin. Pediatr. 5: 118
6) Custódio et al. (2015) Nat. Prod. Res. 29: 2155
7) Rtibi et al. (2017) J Sci Food Agric. 97: 2664
8) Valero‑Muñoz et al. (2019) Eur. J. Nutr. 58: 357
9) Avallone et al. (2002) Fitoterapia 73: 390
10) Agrawal et al. (2011) Nat. Prod. Res. 25: 450 -
4.2 CAROBS IN THE PREVENTION OF CHRONIC DISEASES
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4.2 Carobs in the prevention of chronic diseases
ANDRIANA KALIORA
Dietitian-Nutritionist, Professor, Department of Dietetics-Nutrition, Harokopio University
In experimental studies, carobs have been shown to regulate hypertension as a result of improved endothelial function, improved aorta relaxation and improved blood flow. They have been also found to significantly reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
Improved insulin sensitivity in response to carob treatment has been demonstrated in both experimental animals and in humans
Additionally, carobs are effective in reducing the total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in humans.
The benefits of carobs as diet components in human health are linked mainly with their high content in fibers and a rich variety of phenolic compounds, while they contain protein, some sugars and a small quantity of fats. Regarding carob fiber, it is mostly insoluble, but it also includes a smaller amount of soluble dietary fibers. Insoluble carob fiber is mainly composed of cellulose and hemicellulose, xylans, mannans and glucans. Because it is not digested at all, insoluble fiber is not a source of calories, but helps reduce calorie intake, maintain a normal body weight and decrease the risk of cancer development. Soluble fibers decrease blood sugar and regulate cholesterol as well. Most importantly, soluble fibers are considered potent modulators of gut microbiota composition and that improve host’s health and metabolism. It is therefore speculated to contribute to the positive effects in managing metabolic disorders and preventing diabetes and obesity.
Nowadays that our diet is built on refined carbohydrates, white bread, pastas, and sugar, carobs rich in fibers and phenolic compounds can help improve our metabolic profile and consequently reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and various forms of cancer.
Bibliography
1) de la Fuente-Fernández et al. (2020) Antioxidants 9: 339
2) Ruiz-Roso et al. (2010) Plant Foods Hum. Nutr. 65: 50
3) Zhu et al. (2019) Chin.Med. 14: 40
4) Zunft et al. (2001) Adv.Ther. 18: 230
5) Zunft et al. (2003) Eur. J. Nutr. 42: 235 -
OTHER USES
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4.3 Other uses of carob
KRITON KALANTIDIS
Plant Biotechnologist, Professor, Department of Biology, University of Crete
Other uses of carob
The most important economically use of carob (and of carob tree, in general) nowadays is for the production of carob gum or locust-bean gum (LBG). This is a biopolymer used by the food industry as thickener, crystallization inhibitor, swelling agent, stabilizer replacing fat in low calorie products, and as gluten substitute. Due to its physical properties and to its biodegradability it is also used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textile, paint, and mining industries. Finally, carob biomass is ideal for hydrogen and energy production through fermentation.
Other uses of carob tree
Carob trees are being extensively used by plant nurseries as ornamental species, especially for Mediterranean countries and other temperate climate zones, such as California and Australia. The carob plant either develops a chiseled trunk becoming an ornamental tree during its maturation, or it can take the shape of dense shrubs forming large natural fences. Carob trees are particularly resistant to drought; if not cultivated aiming to carob production, they can be used in landscape design, especially for xerophytic gardens and parks, as well as, for afforestation of deserted areas. Moreover, since carob trees can endure urban pollution, their use inside the urban landscape is becoming increasingly popular, e.g. for the design of public squares, sidewalks etc.
Finally, the wood of carob trees is being used for constructing utensils, for preparing slow-burning charcoal, and its extraction yields a textile dye.
4.1 Pharmaceutical applications
HARIS PRATSINIS
Chemist, Researcher, Institute of Life Sciences and Applications, NCSR "Demokritos"
Carobs, as well as, the leaves and the bark of the carob tree may have multiple pharmaceutical uses, as indicated through traditional medicinal and ethnomedicinal reports from many Mediterranean and Arabic countries (Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Tunis, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Turkey, Iraq, Iran)1. This is also supported by recent experimental data, mainly based on animal models. For example, carob and carob tree bark have been shown to possess antioxidant activity and to suppress oxidative stress in various tissues2,3. Especially regarding the digestive tract, carob extracts seem to exert anti-inflammatory actions4, while the locust bean gum produced by carob is acting as a thickening agent, thus inhibiting gastroesophageal reflux in infants5.
Very important are also the anti-diabetic properties of extracts from the carob tree and pods, as they affect key enzymes for the type-II diabetes onset, and inhibit intestinal glucose absorption while improving glucose tolerance in alloxan-induced diabetes in rats6,7. The rich in polyphenoles insoluble fiber obtained from carob pod seem to exert a beneficial action on rabbit liver inhibiting dyslipidemia caused by a rich in cholesterol diet8.
All these data, along with preliminary observations regarding the possible anxiolytic and antidepressant activities of carob tree products9,10, will require further research efforts for their validation, as well as, for the detection of the beneficial carob constituents and for the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved.
Bibliography
1) Azab (2017) Eur. Chem. Bull. 6: 456
2) El Hajaji et al. (2011) Arab. J. Chem. 4: 321
3) Sebai et al. (2013) J. Med. Plants Res. 7: 85
4) Rtibi et al. (2017) Biomed. Pharmacother. 93: 522
5) Georgieva et al. (2016) World J. Clin. Pediatr. 5: 118
6) Custódio et al. (2015) Nat. Prod. Res. 29: 2155
7) Rtibi et al. (2017) J Sci Food Agric. 97: 2664
8) Valero‑Muñoz et al. (2019) Eur. J. Nutr. 58: 357
9) Avallone et al. (2002) Fitoterapia 73: 390
10) Agrawal et al. (2011) Nat. Prod. Res. 25: 450
4.2 Carobs in the prevention of chronic diseases
ANDRIANA KALIORA
Dietitian-Nutritionist, Professor, Department of Dietetics-Nutrition, Harokopio University
In experimental studies, carobs have been shown to regulate hypertension as a result of improved endothelial function, improved aorta relaxation and improved blood flow. They have been also found to significantly reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
Improved insulin sensitivity in response to carob treatment has been demonstrated in both experimental animals and in humans
Additionally, carobs are effective in reducing the total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in humans.
The benefits of carobs as diet components in human health are linked mainly with their high content in fibers and a rich variety of phenolic compounds, while they contain protein, some sugars and a small quantity of fats. Regarding carob fiber, it is mostly insoluble, but it also includes a smaller amount of soluble dietary fibers. Insoluble carob fiber is mainly composed of cellulose and hemicellulose, xylans, mannans and glucans. Because it is not digested at all, insoluble fiber is not a source of calories, but helps reduce calorie intake, maintain a normal body weight and decrease the risk of cancer development. Soluble fibers decrease blood sugar and regulate cholesterol as well. Most importantly, soluble fibers are considered potent modulators of gut microbiota composition and that improve host’s health and metabolism. It is therefore speculated to contribute to the positive effects in managing metabolic disorders and preventing diabetes and obesity.
Nowadays that our diet is built on refined carbohydrates, white bread, pastas, and sugar, carobs rich in fibers and phenolic compounds can help improve our metabolic profile and consequently reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and various forms of cancer.
Bibliography
1) de la Fuente-Fernández et al. (2020) Antioxidants 9: 339
2) Ruiz-Roso et al. (2010) Plant Foods Hum. Nutr. 65: 50
3) Zhu et al. (2019) Chin.Med. 14: 40
4) Zunft et al. (2001) Adv.Ther. 18: 230
5) Zunft et al. (2003) Eur. J. Nutr. 42: 235
4.3 Other uses of carob
KRITON KALANTIDIS
Plant Biotechnologist, Professor, Department of Biology, University of Crete
Other uses of carob
The most important economically use of carob (and of carob tree, in general) nowadays is for the production of carob gum or locust-bean gum (LBG). This is a biopolymer used by the food industry as thickener, crystallization inhibitor, swelling agent, stabilizer replacing fat in low calorie products, and as gluten substitute. Due to its physical properties and to its biodegradability it is also used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textile, paint, and mining industries. Finally, carob biomass is ideal for hydrogen and energy production through fermentation.
Other uses of carob tree
Carob trees are being extensively used by plant nurseries as ornamental species, especially for Mediterranean countries and other temperate climate zones, such as California and Australia. The carob plant either develops a chiseled trunk becoming an ornamental tree during its maturation, or it can take the shape of dense shrubs forming large natural fences. Carob trees are particularly resistant to drought; if not cultivated aiming to carob production, they can be used in landscape design, especially for xerophytic gardens and parks, as well as, for afforestation of deserted areas. Moreover, since carob trees can endure urban pollution, their use inside the urban landscape is becoming increasingly popular, e.g. for the design of public squares, sidewalks etc.
Finally, the wood of carob trees is being used for constructing utensils, for preparing slow-burning charcoal, and its extraction yields a textile dye.
