Cashew apple – nutrition, proven benefits and uses

The scientific name of the cashew is Anacardium occidentale Linn. It is also know as cashew apple. Other names include

ARABIC: Kaju
ASSAMESE: Kajubadam
ARABIC: Kaju
BENGALI: Hijli badam, Kaju.
BOSNIAN: Beli mahagoni, Indijanski kašu-orah, Pipak.
BURMESE: Sihosayesi, Thee hot.
CHINESE: Jia ru shu, Yao guo li, Yao guo shu, Yao guo, Ji yao guo.
CROATIAN:Beli mahagoni, Indijanski kašu-orah, Pipak, Pipci.
CZECH: Kešú o?íšky.
DANISH: Acajounød.
DUTCH: Cashewnoot, Kasjoe, Kasjoeboom, Mereke.
FRENCH: Acajou à pommes, Anacardier, Cajou, Noix-cajou, Noix de cajou, Pomme d’acajou.
GERMAN: Akajoubaum, Kaschubaum, Kaschunuß, Kaschunußbaum, Westindische Elefantenlaus.
GREEK: Anakardia, Eidos fistikiou, Fistiki kasious, Kasious.
HINDI: : Hijlibadam, Kaajuu, Kaju, Kajubadam, Khajoor.
INDONESIA: Jambu mortyet, Jambu monyet
ITALIAN: Acajiú, Anacardio.
JAPANESE: Anakarudiumu okushidentare, Kashuunatto no ki.
KANNADA: Geru, Gerumara, Godambi
KHMER: Svaay chantii.
MALAY: Gajus, Jambu golok, Jambu mede
MALAYALAM: Kashukavu, Kasumav, Parangi mavu, Parankimaav.
MARATHI: Kaju, Kajugola.
NEPALESE: Kaajuu.
PERSIAN: Badame pharangi.
POLISH: Nerkowiec.
PORTUGESE: Cajú, Cajú do camop, Cajueiro, Cajueiro-do-campo.
PUNJABI: Kaju
RUSSIAN: Anakardium zaladnyi, Derevo kesh’iu, Vrkkaphalah.
SERBIAN: Beli mahagoni, Indijanski kašu-orah, Pipak.
SLOVENIAN: Epatca, Epatka.
SPANISH: Anacardo, Cashu, Marañon, Marañón, Merey (Venezuela).
THAI: Mamuang him maphan, Mamuang letlor, Yaruang

Cashew is a small tree with a usually small and crooked trunk. Leaves are simple, smooth, alternate, ovate or obovate, 10 to 20 centimeters long, 7 to 12 centimeters wide, with slightly rounded, emarginate apex. Flowers are small, 5 to 6 millimeters in diameter, crowded at the tips of the branches, and yellow to yellowish-white, the petals usually with pink stripes. The fruit, a nut, is ash-colored, kidney-shaped and about 2 centimeters long. The mesocarp is soft, corky, and oleoresinous; and the epicarp is leathery. Seed is kidney-shaped. Torus (receptacle) is fleshy, juicy, yellowish, pear-shaped, and 5 to 7 centimeters long.cashew-apple-benefits-uses

Constituents

• Kernel yield of fixed oil, 45-47.2%; starch; sitosterin, 8%; cardol; anacardic acid; lignoceric acid.

• Oil contains linolic acid, 7.7%; palmitic acid, 6.4%; stearic acid, 11.24%; lignoceric acid, 0.5%; and sitosterin.

• Plant yields two oils: (1) a light-yellow oil from the pressed kernels, of which the finest quality is comparable to almond oil; and (2) Cardole, from the shell of the nut, an acrid and powerful fluid useful for preserving carved wood, books, etc. against white ants.

• Cashew nut oil yields: oil, 16.12%; moisture, 2.37%; ash, 3.94%; protein, 31.67%; nitrogen, 5.70%; crude fiber, 0.44%; and carbohydrates, 45.46%.

• Bark yields a gum also obnoxious to insects.

•The kernel contains 7.6-16% moisture, 18-24% protein, 43-57% fats,19-21% carbohydrates.

• Anacardic acids, the by-product of cashew processing, have medicinal uses.

• Pericarp (shell) of the fruit yields a toxic principle, cardol oil, and anacardic acid.

• Trunk yields a gum, anacard-gummi or cashew gum, with arabin, used similarly as gum arabic.

• Wood yields catechin.

• A study yielded anacardic acid, cardanol, cardol, and 2-methyl cardol. Immature nut oil contains triglycerides, fatty acids, alkyl-substituted phenols and cholesterol. The main constituents of the free fatty acids were palmitic and oleic acids.

• Study of aqueous and methanol extracts of leaf, bark and root of cashew yielded bioactive principles, i.e., tannin-15.38mg/g, total polyphenolics-2.00, alkaloid-39.90 and oxalate-8.13.

• Study of aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves yielded carbohydrates, proteins, saponin glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and phenolic compounds.

Medicinal Properties of Cashew apple

• Kasuy is a very peculiar fruit consisting of two parts: Below, a large, soft, yellow, fleshy, juicy, pear-shaped structure which is derived mostly from the receptacle of the flower, edible, with the characteristics of a fleshy fruit, slight sweet, at times very acrid and irritating to the throat and tongue. Above, the kidney-shaped nut, the kernel of which has an excellent flavor when roasted.

• Phenolic content with antioxidant activities.

• Bark considered alterative.

• Fruit considered acrid sweet, digestible, aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, rubefacient.

• Juice of fruit considered diuretic, sudorific, and antisyphilitic.

• Bark and leaves considered astringent.

• Fumes arising from the nuts during roasting may be irritating to the face, nostrils, and throat. The oil exuding from the nuts is very caustic and may cause skin brown marks like warts, swelling, and inflammation.

Parts used and preparation

Bark, leaves, oil, and ripe fruit.

Uses
Nutrition

– Ripe fleshy portion of fruit may be eaten; sweet, although sometimes acrid and irritating to the throat and tongue. Often eaten with salt. Wine is made from it.

– The kernel has an excellent flavor when roasted, makes an savory candy nut and a popular snack food.

– Young leaves eaten as vegetable, a fair source of calcium and iron.

Folkloric traditional remedies and uses of cashew apple

• Astringent and mouth wash: Gargle dilute infusion of bark and leaves and retain in mouth for a few minutes to relieve toothache, sore gums, or sore throat. Do not swallow.

• Receptacle boiled in sweetened water used by Filipinos as remedy for dysentery.

• Bruised nut used as irritant to cause abortion.

• Decoction of bark used for diarrhea, syphilitic swelling of the joints, and for diabetes.

• Bark, rich in gallic acid, used as decoction against aphthae and mouth ulcerations.

• Bark and leaves considered astringent; infusion used to relieve toothaches and sore gums, and as a lotion and mouthwash, also used internally for dysenteric conditions.

• Spirit distilled from the fruit is considered rubefacient. Used as diuretic.

• Pear-shaped receptacle eaten as cure for scurvy.

• Oil from pericarp used as anesthetic in leprosy and psoriasis, and as a blister for warts, corns, and ulcers. Also applied to cracks in the feet. In the Philippines, oil used as a powerful escharotic and vesicant.

• Tincture of pericarp used as vermifuge in Europe.

• Kernel oil is a mechanical, as well as chemical, antidote for irritant poisons. Also, it is a good vehicle for liniments and other external applications.

• Oil from the kernel is nutritious and emollient; used as demulcent in form of an emulsion.

• Juice of receptacle is acid and astringent; used for uterine troubles and dropsy.

• In Guyana, decoction of bark used as antidiarrheal. Powdered seeds used as antivenom for snake bites. Nut oil used as antifungal and for healing cracked heels.

• In Sierra Leone, Aku people use the young leaves for dysentery, diarrhea, piles, etc.

• In western Nigeria, used for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. In some parts of Nigeria, bark used to treat diabetes.

• In Cameroon traditional medicine, used for diabetes and hypertension.

• In Malay folklore medicine, decoction of vein and leaves used to lower blood pressure of diabetic patients.

Other uses

– Oil from the pericarp effective against white ants.

– Oil from the kernel is a chemical antidote for irritant poisons and a good vehicle for liniments and other external applications.

– The bark yields a gum that repels insects.

– Cardole, the oil from the shell of the nut, is effective for preserving wood, books; also, against white ants.

– Cardanol, from anacardic acid, is used for resins, coatings and frictional materials.

Scientific proven health benefits and uses of cashew apple

Antibacterial:

(1) Anarcardic acids effective against gram-positive bacteria, used in vivo for tooth abscesses.

(2) In vitro study of different fractions of leaf extract of AO showed Staph aureus and P aeruginosa to be most sensitive to the chloroform extracts. (3)

Study confirmed the traditional claim of false fruit of Anacardium occidentale as an antimicrobial.

Anti-inflammatory: Potentiation of the anti-inflammatory effect of Anacardium occidentale (Linn.) stem-bark aqueous extract by grapefruit juice: Study results showed the plant extract possess antiinflammatory activity, supporting folkloric use of the plant for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

Hypoglycemic:

The experimental animal study showed AO extracts to possess hypoglycemic activity supporting its folkloric use. Although the mechanisms are highly speculative, the hypoglycemic effect of the plant extracts could be due, in part, to their terpenoid and/or coumarin contents.

Antioxidant:

Effects of immature cashew nut-shell liquid (Anacardium occidentale) against oxidative damage in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity. Study showed immature cashew nut-shell liquid (iCNSL), a source of unsaturated long-chain phenols, and may have a potential role in protecting DNA against oxidative damage.

Antioxidant / Anti-acetylcholinesterase Activity:

Study on immature cashew nut shell liquid showed antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities. Study yielded anacardic acid, cardanol, cardol, and 2-methyl cardol.

Brain and Kidney Benefits:

 Microstructural study of the effect of ethanolic extract of Cashew stem bark of Anacardium occidentale on the Brain and Kidney of Swiss albino mice showed no toxic effects with enhancement of functions and suggests a potential for its use in certain brain and kidney ailments.

Antibacterial / Periodontal Benefit:

Activity of Some Thai Medicinal Plants against Porphyromonas gingivalis: In a study that screens Thai medicinal plants for antibacterial activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis, AO was one of several tested. Of the studied plants, AO bark and leaves showed the best inhibition of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Terminalia bellerica and suggests its potential for use in therapy.

Anti-diabetic:

Protective role of Anacardium occidentale extract against streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats: Study showed a protective role of AO extract against the diabetogenic action of STZ.

Antioxidant:

Comparisons between the Antioxidant Activities of the Extracts of Anacardium occidentale and Piper betle: The methanolic extract of AO can be an alternative source of polyphenolics with potent antioxidant activities.

Acute and Subchronic Toxicity Studies:

Study of leaf hexane extract of A. occidentale in mice showed no toxicity on acute administration with doses less than 6 g/kg. At high doses, signs of toxicity were asthenia, anorexia, diarrhea, and syncope. Liver and kidney parameters were significantly abnormal with correlating histopathological changes. Study concludes toxic effects of AO hexane leaf extract occurred at higher doses than those use in Cameroon folk medicine.

Antihyperglycemic / Renal Protective/ good for kidneys:

Study showed the efficacy of AO hexane extract in reducing diabetes-induced functional and histological alterations in the kidneys.

Antitumor Activity:

Cashew gum polysaccharide, combined with water soluble, branched b-galactose and other oligosaccharides and proteins exhibited an antitumor activity with a high inhibitory activity against an implanted sarcoma 180 solid tumor in mice.

Antioxidative / Anti-Atherogenesis:

Study suggested the aqueous extract of AO possessed antioxidative properties and attenuates the initial stage of atherogenesis in vitro possibly through inhibition of NF-kB activation.

Anti-Ophidian:

Study evaluated the ability of A. occidentale bark extract to neutralize enzymatic and pharmacological effects induced by Vipera russelii venom. Results suggest it may be used as an alternative treatment to serum therapy and may also be a rich source of potential inhibitors of hydrolytic enzymes involved in several physiopathological diseases.

Gum as Gelling Agent:

Study indicated the extracted mucilage may be a good source of a pharmaceutical adjuvant, specifically as a gelling agent.

Toxicity Screening / Hypocholesterolemic Effect:

Study in hypercholesterolemic rabbits evaluated the toxicity properties and hypocholesterolemic effects. Aqueous extract was found to be non-toxic and possess cholesterol-lowering effects.

Anthelmintic:

AC was evaluated for anthelmintic activity against earthworm Pheretima posthuma. Both alcohol and aqueous extracts of the whole plant exhibited significant anthelmintic activity at highest concentration of 500 mg/ml. Albendazole was the reference drug.

Aphrodisiac / Seed Oil:

Seed oil yielded saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, and terpenoids.
The seed oil, test on male albino rats for sexual behavior, showed increase in mount and frequency of intromission, with decrease in mount latency. Results suggest the seed oil may be used to manage impotency in male humans. The seed shell oil, tested for toxicity, can be used to kill mice by application on foods eaten by mice.

Gum as Tablet Binder:

Seed evaluated the binding efficacy of cashew nut tree gum in tablet formulation (paracetamol) compared with standard binders such as acacia of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP K-30). Results suggest cashew nut tree gum can be used as an alternative binder with good mechanical strength and dissolution profile.

Differences in Constituents and Medicinal Properties of Different Extracts:

Folkloric use of herbals involves the use of plants without the isolation of particular phytochemicals, hoping for synergy of combined substances and dilution of toxicity, while modern pharmacy prefers single ingredients for dosage quantification, requiring detailed analysis of phytochemical constituents. In this study with guava, the highest concentration of bioactive principles were detected in ethanol extracts. The study justified the use of alcohol in folkloric extraction.

Improved Renal Clearance:

Study investigated the effects of a crude ethanolic extract of stem bark on renal clearance of Sprague Dawley rats. Results showed improvement of renal clearance on high dose of EAO. The study does not confirm or suggest the possible mechanisms of increased renal clearance.

Antifeedant / Anthelmintic:

Study compared the antifeedant and anthelmintic activities of crude extracts of shells of Anacardium occidentale with the activity of Azadirachta indica, a commercial standard. Results showed the test extracts of A. occidentale in petroleum ether, dichlormethane:methanol showed better activities. Phytochemical analysis yielded phenols–cordol, cardanol, and anacardic acid.

Hypoglycemic / Antioxidative / Leaves:

Study of leaf extract in a diabetic rat model showed hypoglycemic activity. Observations suggest the extract could improve and protect the islet Langerhan cells from oxidative degeneration. The preventive effects may be due to inhibition of lipid peroxidation by its antioxidant properties.

Larvicidal / Nut Shell Liquid:

Study reveals Aedes aegypti larvae and pupae are highly susceptible to 12 ppm CNSL (cashew nut shell liquid). Results suggest further studies conducted in different ecosystems to observe the larvicidal effect of CNSL on different vectors of malaria, dengue, and filariasis, as CNSL is is cheap, easily available, eco-friendly, non-toxic, and biodegradable.

Hypoglycemic / Stem Bark Extract:

Study of stem bark extract in STZ-induced diabetic rats showed antihyperglycemic property with a positive effect on weight gain.

Anthelmintic / Antifeedant:

Study evaluated crude extracts of shells of Anacardium occidentale for antifeedant and anthelmintic activities. Test extracts showed better activity compared to A. indica. The addition of piperine to the formulation significantly enhanced the anthelmintic activity.

Antimicrobial / Antifeedant:

Study evaluated the extract of A. occidentale against S. aureus and S. epidermis and then developed cosmetic formulations from those extracts. Although promising, the formulation gradually darkened when stored at temperatures between 40º and 60ºC.

Anthelmintic/ destroy parasitic worms:

Study evaluated alcohol and aqueous extracts from whole plant of A. occidentale for anthelmintic activity. Both extracts showed significant anthelmintic activity at highest concentration of 500 mg/ml. Albendazole was used as standard reference.
Negative Effect on Pregnancy Outcome:

Study evaluated the effect of a leaf extract of A. occidentale on reproductive outcome of Wistar rats. Study revealed low birth weight and low crown-rump length effect, suggesting serious implications with consumption of leaf extract during pregnancy. Low birth weight has a major influence on neonatal morbidity, neurocognitive deficiencies, neurobehavioral effects and mortality. The author warns that the extract should not be taken by pregnant women.

Antibacterial / Leaf and Bark:

Study evaluated the inhibitory effect of a methanolic extract of leaf and bark of Anacardium occidentale against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans from burn and dental caries patients. The extracts inhibited all clinical isolates, and the leaf extract inhibited to a higher extent than the bark.

Anti-Diabetic / Increased Glucose Uptake:

Study evaluated the anti-diabetic properties of cashew plant parts using differentiated C2C12 myoblasts and rat liver mitochondria. Results showed the extract and its active component, anacardic acid, stimulated glucose transport into C2C12 myotubes in a concentration-dependent manner. Also, the dysfunction of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation may enhance glycolysis and contribute to increase glucose uptake.

Antidiarrheal / Leaf Extract Enriched with Zinc:

Study evaluated the antidiarrheal activity of zinc, aqueous leaf extract and zinc enriched leaf extract. Results showed good antidiarrheal effect in all three formulations but the cashew leaf extract enriched with zinc exhibited the best antidiarrheal activity.

Cytoprotective / Testes of STZ-Induced Diabetic Rats / Improved Spermatogenesis:

Study evaluated the protective effects of methanolic leaf extract on testes of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Results showed significant increases in levels of testosterone, FSH and LH. AOLE improved the structural integrity of the testes, promoted spermatogenesis, and improved the profile of reproductive hormones.

Anti-Hyperglycemic / Beta Cell Regeneration:

Study of methanolic extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in male Wistar rats showed reduction in hyperglycemia and regeneration of beta cells.

Hypotensive / Cardio-Inhibitory Effects:

Study evaluated the effects of A. occidentale extract (ANOE) on cardiovascular parameters in animal models. ANOE bark extract produced significant dose-dependent decrease in blood pressure of previously normotensive rabbits. On isolated rat heart preparations, the ANOE induced negative inotropic and chronotropic effects.

Antidiabetic / Inner Bark:

Study evaluated the hypoglycemic effect of inner bark extract of Anacardium occidentale in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Alloxan-diabetic rats showed significant reduction in plasma glucose after treatment with ethanolic extract fractions.

Antimicrobial / Leaves / Periodontal Disease:

Study evaluated the antimicrobial effect of A. occidentale leaf extract on Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia. Results showed efficient antimicrobial activity and suggest potential for utilization in the preparation of chemical plaque control formulations.

Antidepressant / Leaves:

Study evaluated the antidepressant-like effects of Anacardium occidentale leaves in the mouse Forced Swim Test and Tail Suspension Tests. Results showed significantly decreased immobility periods in a dose dependent manner in both TST and FST. The antidepressant activity was probably mediated through interaction with adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic and GABAergic systems.

Haemostatic / Stem Bark:

Study evaluated a methanolic bark extract for possible haemostatic effect in an albino rat model. Results showed a significant decrease in bleeding time, prothrombin time, clotting time, and activated PTT in a dose dependent manner. There was also a significant increase in platelet count (p<0.05).

Hypotensive / Anti-Curare Effect ( reverse the muscle paralysis):

A 1987 thesis evaluated the possible hypotensive and anticurare effect of Anacardium occidentale. Results showed a hypotensive effect attributed to adrenergic and serotonergic mechanisms. AO exerted an anticurare effect on the curarized skeletal muscle, an effect probably mediated through the presence of potassium. Further research was suggested to ascertain the mechanism of hypotensive and anticurare effect.

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