Cashew Nut Shell Oil
The shell of the cashew nut (Anacardium Occidentale L.), contains a liquid known worldwide by its acronym in English CNSL (Cashew Nutshell Liquid). It is an oil that represents 25% of the total weight of the nut. This oil is comprised of anacardic acid (3-n-pentadecylsalicylic acid), Cardanol (3-n-pentadecylphenol) and Cardol (5-n-pentadecylresorcinol).
Antioxidant Activity
The antioxidant activity comes from the phenolic compounds derived from CNSL (Cashew Nutshell Liquid): Cardanol and Cardol (Amorati, 2001). These phenol derivatives have proved capacity of preventing the production of peroxides by inhibition of the xanthine oxidase enzyme (Trevisani, 2005). These phenolic active compounds also inhibit several types of pro-oxidant enzymes involved in the formation of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species), and are capable of chelating divalent metal ions such as Fe2+ and Cu2+ that act as potent free radicals (Kubo, 2006; Nagabhushana, 1995).
Anti-inflammatory Action
Anacardic acid also has the ability to inhibit enzymes such as lipoxygenase or prostaglandin synthetase, both mediators in the inflammatory process (Trevisan et al., 2005).