Safflower seeds contain phytoestrogens and have demonstrated bone-protecting
effects without any significant consequence on the uterus in estrogen deficiency
ovariectomized rats. Ovariectomy leads to estrogen deficiency which consequently
leads to bone loss. The beneficial effect of safflower seeds might have been mediated, at least in part, by the stimulating effect of polyphenolic compounds on the
proliferation of osteoblasts (Kim et al. 2002). Aqueous extract of safflower seeds has
been reported to significantly accelerate the osteoblast differentiation rate in the
experimental group as compared to the control group in the murine osteoblastic
MC3T3-E1 cell line (Jang et al. 2007).
While mixed polyphenolic compounds from ethanolic extracts of safflower seed
meals have been found to exert stimulatory effects on proliferation of ROS 17/2.8
osteoblast-like cells in the ovariectomized rat (Cho et al. 2007). Trachelogenin found
in germinating seeds of safflower has been reported to exert differentiation and
proliferation effects on calvarial bone cells in mice models (Kim et al. 2009).
Safflower extracts have huge potential to be developed into a drug for bone and
periodontal defects regeneration. They exert a protective effect on bones caused by
estrogen deficiency, without having any detrimental intrauterine effects (Kim et al.
2008). Apart from seeds, safflower oil has also demonstrated bone-protecting
effects. The oral dose of 1 mL/kg to ovariectomized rats for 30 days showed positive
effects as compared to ovariectomized control rats treated with vehicle only (Alam
et al. 2006). Also, safflower bud has been reported to inhibit the differentiation of
bone-dissolving cells osteoclasts, and prevent the bone loss in ovariectomized mice
(Choi et al. 2017).
17.4.10 Cardioprotective and Anti-Lipidogenic Activities
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterols have been shown to be a strong,
consistent, and independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. Fat is a vital
component of the diet and it regulates serum and hepatic levels of lipids. Serum total
cholesterol levels are greatly influenced by the amount and type of dietary fats.
Saturated fatty acid-rich diets increase the LDL cholesterol levels in contrast to diets
rich in the polyunsaturated fatty acids (Ihara-Watanabe et al. 2000).
The high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids in safflower oil has been shown to
suppress the level of LDL or bad cholesterols and subsequently prevent against their
harmful effects on the vasculature. Being full of unsaturated fatty acids, safflower oil
has been reported to play important roles in lipid metabolism and decreasing total
cholesterol levels (Nunes and Samanta 2014).
Ethanol-ethyl acetate extract of safflower seeds has been reported to exert strong
antioxidant effects and prevent the development of atherosclerotic lesion by
inhibiting the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Serotonin derivatives Nferuloylserotonin, N-( p-coumaroyl) serotonin, and their glucoside derivatives have
been identified as major phenolic and active constituents of the extract (Koyama
et al. 2006). Moreover, ethanolic extracts of safflower seed meal powder or defatted
442
M. Nazir et al.
effects without any significant consequence on the uterus in estrogen deficiency
ovariectomized rats. Ovariectomy leads to estrogen deficiency which consequently
leads to bone loss. The beneficial effect of safflower seeds might have been mediated, at least in part, by the stimulating effect of polyphenolic compounds on the
proliferation of osteoblasts (Kim et al. 2002). Aqueous extract of safflower seeds has
been reported to significantly accelerate the osteoblast differentiation rate in the
experimental group as compared to the control group in the murine osteoblastic
MC3T3-E1 cell line (Jang et al. 2007).
While mixed polyphenolic compounds from ethanolic extracts of safflower seed
meals have been found to exert stimulatory effects on proliferation of ROS 17/2.8
osteoblast-like cells in the ovariectomized rat (Cho et al. 2007). Trachelogenin found
in germinating seeds of safflower has been reported to exert differentiation and
proliferation effects on calvarial bone cells in mice models (Kim et al. 2009).
Safflower extracts have huge potential to be developed into a drug for bone and
periodontal defects regeneration. They exert a protective effect on bones caused by
estrogen deficiency, without having any detrimental intrauterine effects (Kim et al.
2008). Apart from seeds, safflower oil has also demonstrated bone-protecting
effects. The oral dose of 1 mL/kg to ovariectomized rats for 30 days showed positive
effects as compared to ovariectomized control rats treated with vehicle only (Alam
et al. 2006). Also, safflower bud has been reported to inhibit the differentiation of
bone-dissolving cells osteoclasts, and prevent the bone loss in ovariectomized mice
(Choi et al. 2017).
17.4.10 Cardioprotective and Anti-Lipidogenic Activities
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterols have been shown to be a strong,
consistent, and independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. Fat is a vital
component of the diet and it regulates serum and hepatic levels of lipids. Serum total
cholesterol levels are greatly influenced by the amount and type of dietary fats.
Saturated fatty acid-rich diets increase the LDL cholesterol levels in contrast to diets
rich in the polyunsaturated fatty acids (Ihara-Watanabe et al. 2000).
The high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids in safflower oil has been shown to
suppress the level of LDL or bad cholesterols and subsequently prevent against their
harmful effects on the vasculature. Being full of unsaturated fatty acids, safflower oil
has been reported to play important roles in lipid metabolism and decreasing total
cholesterol levels (Nunes and Samanta 2014).
Ethanol-ethyl acetate extract of safflower seeds has been reported to exert strong
antioxidant effects and prevent the development of atherosclerotic lesion by
inhibiting the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Serotonin derivatives Nferuloylserotonin, N-( p-coumaroyl) serotonin, and their glucoside derivatives have
been identified as major phenolic and active constituents of the extract (Koyama
et al. 2006). Moreover, ethanolic extracts of safflower seed meal powder or defatted
442
M. Nazir et al.