Avocado (Persea americana)

Avocado (Persea americana)

Product Name: Авокадо, Persea americana, Avocadobaum, Aguacate, Avocat, أفوكادو, อะโวคาโด

Synonyms: Авокадо, Авокадовая груша, Аллигаторова груша, Avocado, Alligator pear, Butter fruit, Avocadobaum, Alligatorbirne, Aguacate, Persea, Pera cocodrilo, Avocat, Poire crocodile, أفوكادو, كمثرى التمساح, ลูกแพร์จระเข้, อะโวคาโด

Main Indications for Avocado (Persea americana): Dyslipidemia, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, gastric ulcer, steatohepatitis, chronic gastritis, gastroduodenitis, neurocirculatory dystonia, immunodeficiency states, anemia, malnutrition, senile asthenia, seborrheic dermatitis.

Use of Avocado (Persea americana) in mixtures and complexes: Hypothyroidism, arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic cerebral ischemia, depressive disorder, chronic pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, hypogonadism, psoriasis, osteoporosis, climacteric syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis.

Pharmacological Properties of Avocado (Persea americana): Antioxidant, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, wound-healing, immunomodulating, astringent, nutritive, regenerative, anti-inflammatory, anti-anemic, adaptogenic, dermatotropic, cardiotrophic, antiatherogenic, angioprotective.

Pharmacological Forms and Dosages of Avocado (Persea americana)

Avocado (Persea americana) — Powder 

Standard Dosage (Powder): 1500–3000 mg per dose, preferably during or after meals. It is recommended to take with a small amount of fat (e.g., oil), which improves the absorption of lipophilic components. Frequency of administration — 2 times a day. The standard course of use is 14 to 21 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Powder): For pronounced lipid metabolism disorders or during the recovery phase — up to 4000 mg per dose, twice a day, after meals, with fatty food. Course — up to 30 days under tolerance monitoring.

Maximum Dosage (Powder): The maximum daily dose of powder is 10,000 mg, divided into 2–3 doses. Take after meals with added fats. Allowed for no more than 7 days in a row, in the absence of side effects.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight: The recommended dose is 30–50 mg/kg body weight per day, divided into 2 doses. For body weight over 100 kg — an increase in the daily dose to 6000 mg is permissible under the control of clinical response.

Pediatric Dosage (Powder):) Use is permissible from 7 years of age in the absence of individual intolerance. Recommended dose — 500–1000 mg per day, divided into 1–2 doses, course — no more than 10 days. A specialist consultation is mandatory for children.

Preventive Dosage (Powder): Recommended for patients over 45 years of age, as well as for individuals with a hereditary predisposition to atherosclerosis, overweight and chronic fatigue. Dosage — 1000–1500 mg once a day after meals, with oil. Course — 30 days, 3–4 times a year.

Lethal Dose LD₅₀

Preclinical studies in animals showed no toxicity of the fruit powder. By analogy with the extract, the recalculated LD₅₀ is more than 15,000 mg/kg body weight (orally). Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go...

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life of Avocado Powder: Store in an airtight glass container, protected from light and moisture, shielded with food foil. Storage temperature: +5...+25 °C, relative humidity — not higher than 50%. Standard shelf life — 12 months, under all conditions — up to 24 months.

Contraindications of Avocado (Persea americana)

Oral Administration. Internal use may be limited in case of individual intolerance to components, in childhood, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as in conditions requiring control of metabolic load. It is not recommended to take without medical supervision in patients with pronounced metabolic disorders or reduced functional reserve of detoxification systems.

Note. Since only fruit powder is used for Avocado (Persea americana), other forms (external, mucosal, drops) are not used. Accordingly, contraindications for application to skin, mucous membranes or instillation are not relevant and are not provided.

Side Effects of Avocado (Persea americana)

Oral Administration. With internal use, reactions from the digestive system, changes in general well-being, individual sensitivity are possible. Side effects may include subjective discomfort, digestive reactions or short-term changes in mood and sleep. In most cases, the reactions are mild and reversible upon discontinuation of the drug. If persistent or increasing symptoms occur, the intake should be discontinued.

Note. Side effects, as a rule, are associated with an individual reaction of the body, exceeding the recommended dosage, prolonged continuous use or non-compliance with the route of administration. A trial use is recommended before use. All symptoms are reversible with the right tactics. In case of persistent or systemic reactions, it is necessary to stop using the drug and, if necessary, consult a specialist.

Pharmacodynamics of Avocado (Persea americana)

Avocado fruit powder has a complex effect on the excretory-metabolic and endocrine systems. Antioxidant, hypolipidemic and modulating properties have been established, realized at the systemic level. Biological activity is associated with the presence of fat-soluble phytoelements capable of affecting lipid metabolism, cell regeneration and the barrier functions of mucous membranes. Participation in the regulation of the prooxidant-antioxidant balance is assumed, as well as a mild effect on hormone-dependent metabolic pathways. The action is manifested in the form of functional support of hepatocytes, enterocytes and vascular endothelial cells.

Pharmacokinetics of Avocado (Persea americana)

Fruit powder when taken orally is slowly dispersed and absorbed in the proximal parts of the small intestine, especially when taken with fats. The main active substances are distributed mainly in lipophilic tissues, including the liver and adipose tissue. Metabolism occurs in the liver with the participation of first-phase enzyme systems, then — conjugation and excretion through bile. A small part of the components can be metabolized by the intestinal microflora. The main route of elimination is intestinal (through bile), to a lesser extent — renal. The drug is not intended for transdermal or mucosal administration.

Mechanisms of Action and Scientific Rationale for Avocado (Persea americana)

The biological activity of avocado fruit powder is due to the content of phytosterols, fatty acids and antioxidant compounds. An inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation and activation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, has been experimentally confirmed. The effect on lipid metabolism is associated with modulation of the expression of lipoprotein receptors and activation of nuclear factors that regulate fat metabolism (e.g., PPAR). An indirect effect on the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways associated with cellular regulation and inflammatory cascades has been noted. There are data on interaction with endothelial cells, macrophages and hepatocytes.

References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go...  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308814619312783

Synergy of Avocado (Persea americana)

Avocado fruit powder demonstrates confirmed synergy with taxa that have hypolipidemic, hepatotropic and antioxidant effects. In combination with substances containing polyphenols (e.g., green tea, milk thistle), potentiation of hepatocyte protection is observed due to joint inhibition of lipid peroxidation. An additive enhancement of antioxidant and membrane-protective effects has been noted when combined with vitamin E and natural oils. When used together with herbal preparations that have pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, a modulating effect on pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and TNF-α, is possible. The nature of synergy is predominantly tissue-specific (liver, blood vessels, skin).

References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23963810/  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S221080331500061X

Geography of Use and Traditional Medicine of Avocado (Persea americana)

Avocado (Persea americana) has a long history of use in the traditional culture of the indigenous peoples of Central and South America. The birthplace of the plant is considered to be the territory of modern Mexico and Guatemala, where it was cultivated as a food and ritual tree from at least the 3rd millennium BC. In the pre-Columbian Mayan and Aztec civilizations, the avocado fruit symbolized fertility and was considered an energy source for men. According to the chronicles of the Spanish conquistadors, the fruits were used as a basis for nutritious potions, and seeds and peel were used in compresses, decoctions and rubbings.

In Mexican folk medicine, powder or crushed pulp was used externally — for skin care, as well as a basis for wraps and masks. In Peru and Ecuador, decoctions of the pit were used in warming procedures and rubbings. Among the peoples of Central America, avocado was considered a plant that improves physical strength and replenishes "vital warmth" — a concept typical of local medical and shamanic systems. Ethnographic sources from Jamaica and Trinidad record the use of avocado leaves and seeds in the form of smoking mixtures in the ritual practice of cleansing space from "evil influence."

In African traditional medicine (primarily in the countries of West Africa, where the plant was brought during the colonial period), dried seeds and peel were used, which were used in powder form in rubbings and pastes. In a number of cultural schools of Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Indonesia, avocado powder was sometimes added to cosmetic masks and skin care mixtures.

To date, data on the use of fruit powder in the form of a monoform in ritual practices are limited, however, historical and botanical descriptions indicate a stable connection of the plant with the symbolism of nutrition, restoration and bodily strength.