Affiliation:
1. Team of Ethnopharmacology and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques Errachidia, Moulay Ismail
University of Meknes, BP 509, Boutalamine, Errachidia, 52000, Morocco
2. Energy, Materials and Sustainable Development (EMDD) Team- Higher School of Technology-SALE, Center for Water, Natural Resources Environment and Sustainable Development (CERNE2D), Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
Abstract
Aim:
The purpose of this review was to emphasize the nutritional value, and pharmacological
and phytochemical properties of Salvia hispanica, as well as its toxicological evaluation.
Background:
Salvia hispanica L. (S. hispanica), also called chia seeds, is an annual herbaceous
plant belonging to the family Lamiaceae. It is a species of medicinal and dietary plant used since
ancient times by the Maya and Aztecs. Its product is an indehiscent dry fruit that is commonly
called a seed. It is utilized for its health benefits and uses in cooking.
Objective:
The study aimed to investigate the pharmacological, phytochemical, and toxicological
properties of S. hispanica seeds. The research also attempted to explore and compile all existing
knowledge and data on these seeds' nutritional value and medical applications.
Materials and Methods:
The current review was conducted using numerous scientific databases,
including Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, etc. The correct plant name was verified
from plantlist.org. The results of this search were interpreted, analyzed, and documented
based on the obtained bibliographic information.
Results:
S. hispanica is a pseudo cereal that is consumed by the world’s population because of its
preventive, functional, and antioxidant characteristics, attributable to the presence of lipids, dietary
fiber, protein, phenolic compounds, vitamins, and minerals. According to research, chia offers
hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihypersensitive,
anti-obesity, and cardioprotective properties. Chia consumption has grown because of its favorable
benefits on obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and several forms of cancer. These advantages
are mostly due to the high concentration of essential fatty acids, dietary fiber, antioxidants,
flavonoids, anthocyanins, vitamins, carotenoids, and minerals found in this seed. Based on
the beneficial components, chia seeds have enormous potential in the areas of health, food, animal
feed, medicines, and nutraceuticals. Finally, toxicological investigations have indicated the greater
doses of chia seed extracts as safe.
Conclusion:
The current evaluation has focused on the distribution, chemical composition, nutritional
value, and principal uses of S. hispanica in order to determine future research requirements
and examine its pharmacological applications through clinical studies.
Funder
CNRST, Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et Technique
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Drug Discovery,General Medicine