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Review
. 2020 Jan 13;10(1):130.
doi: 10.3390/biom10010130.

Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiables: A Panoply of Potentialities to Be Exploited

Bahare Salehi  1 , Antonio Rescigno  2 , Tinuccia Dettori  2 , Daniela Calina  3 , Anca Oana Docea  4 , Laxman Singh  5 , Fatma Cebeci  6 , Beraat Özçelik  7   8 , Mohammed Bhia  9 , Amirreza Dowlati Beirami  10 , Javad Sharifi-Rad  11 , Farukh Sharopov  12 , William C Cho  13 , Natália Martins  14   15
Affiliations
Review

Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiables: A Panoply of Potentialities to Be Exploited

Bahare Salehi et al. Biomolecules. .

Abstract

Avocado and soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) constitute vegetable extracts made from fruits and seeds of avocado and soybean oil. Characterized by its potent anti-inflammatory effects, this ASU mixture is recommended to act as an adjuvant treatment for osteoarthritic pain and slow-acting symptomatic treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis; autoimmune diseases; diffuse scleroderma and scleroderma-like states (e.g., morphea, sclerodactyly, scleroderma in bands). Besides, it was reported that it can improve the mood and quality of life of postmenopausal women in reducing menopause-related symptoms. This article aims to summarize the studies on biological effects of the avocado-soybean unsaponifiable, its chemical composition, pharmacotherapy as well as applications in auto-immune, osteoarticular and menopausal disorders. Finally, we will also discuss on its safety, toxicological and regulatory practices.

Keywords: avocado–soybean unsaponifiables; carothenes; menopause; osteoarthritis; phytosterols; scleroderma; tocopherol.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structure of the three most representative phytosterols in vegetable oils.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Extraction of ASU, chemical composition and the main pharmacological activities for human health.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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