Lupinus ( Lupinus albus L.) is a plant belonging to the Fabaceae family which grows in the Mediterranean regions. The genus Lupinus includes about 200 species, but the most known species are

• Lupinus albus L.
• Lupinus angustifolius L.

Its seeds have high protein content, are used in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, contain 36-52% protein, 30-40% fiber and 5-20% essential oils, as well as oleic and linoleic acids, isoflavonoids, zeaxanthin, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin (1),

Data from this study demonstrate that a plant-based vaccine from a genetically engineered plant, the narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), can promote a protective immune response and attenuate experimental asthma, suggesting that plant-based vaccines may be potentially therapeutic for protection against allergic diseases (2).

Lupine seeds are very low in isoflavones, and lupine protein isolates are essentially free of isoflavones and may provide a useful alternative for people wishing to replace animal with plant-based protein for cardiovascular disease prevention. This initial study indicates that lupin, although lacking isoflavones, has cholesterol-lowering activity similar to that of other leguminous proteins in an established animal model. Furthermore, cholesterol reduction appears to be associated with stimulation of LDL receptors by a well-defined protein component of lupin seeds, as demonstrated by in vitro studies (3).

In a study on the effect of lupin protein on circulating cholesterol in plasma and lipoproteins of hypercholesterolemic subjects, a slight lowering of LDL cholesterol concentration was found in hypercholesterolemic subjects, without alteration of HDL cholesterol. No effects or minor effects of lupin protein on circulating glucose, homocysteine, and plasma amino acids were observed (4).

Lupine studies

References___________________________________________________________________

(1) Andor B, Danciu C, Alexa E, Zupko I, Hogea E, Cioca A, Coricovac D, Pinzaru I, Pătrașcu JM, Mioc M, Cristina RT, Soica C, Dehelean C. Germinated and Ungerminated Seeds Extract from Two Lupinus Species: Biological Compounds Characterization and In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluations. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:7638542. doi: 10.1155/2016/7638542.

(2) Smart V, Foster PS, Rothenberg ME, Higgins TJ, Hogan SP. A plant-based allergy vaccine suppresses experimental asthma via an IFN-gamma and CD4+CD45RBlow T cell-dependent mechanism. J Immunol. 2003 Aug 15;171(4):2116-26. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.171.4.2116. 

(3) Sirtori CR, Lovati MR, Manzoni C, Castiglioni S, Duranti M, Magni C, Morandi S, D'Agostina A, Arnoldi A. Proteins of white lupin seed, a naturally isoflavone-poor legume, reduce cholesterolemia in rats and increase LDL receptor activity in HepG2 cells. J Nutr. 2004 Jan;134(1):18-23. doi: 10.1093/jn/134.1.18.

(4) Weisse K, Brandsch C, Zernsdorf B, Nkengfack Nembongwe GS, Hofmann K, Eder K, Stangl GI. Lupin protein compared to casein lowers the LDL cholesterol:HDL cholesterol-ratio of hypercholesterolemic adults. Eur J Nutr. 2010 Mar;49(2):65-71. doi: 10.1007/s00394-009-0049-3.