Asian diets characteristic rice as a staple grain, contributing in direction of practically 90% of the world’s rice consumption. Brown rice, specifically, is understood to have a number of well being advantages. As a daily addition to the weight-reduction plan, it could actually assist cut back physique weight, decrease ldl cholesterol, and suppress irritation. The power of brown rice to neutralize reactive oxygen species and forestall mobile harm is important to lots of its health-promoting results. Though earlier research have proven that the antioxidant compounds in brown rice can defend cells in opposition to oxidative stress, data relating to which main compound contributes in direction of these useful properties has lengthy remained a thriller.
In a latest examine led by Professor Yoshimasa Nakamura from the Graduate Faculty of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama College, researchers from Japan have recognized cycloartenyl ferulate (CAF) as the primary “cytoprotective” or cell-protecting compound in brown rice. CAF is a novel compound owing to its hybrid construction. As Professor Nakamura explains, “CAF is a hybrid compound of polyphenol and phytosterol and is anticipated to be a potent bioactive substance with varied pharmacological properties, corresponding to antioxidant impact and blood fat-lowering impact.”
The examine printed on January 3, 2023 in quantity 24 situation 1 of Worldwide Journal of Molecular Sciences, was co-authored by Hongyan Wu, from Dalian Polytechnic College, and Toshiyuki Nakamura, from the Graduate Faculty of Environmental and Life Science at Okayama College. In it, the researchers present proof of CAF’s antioxidant properties by demonstrating that it could actually defend cells from stress attributable to hydrogen peroxide. Though hydrogen peroxide is a by-product of a cell’s metabolic processes, irregular quantities of the compound could be poisonous to cells and trigger irreversible harm. Therapy of cells with CAF elevated their resistance to poisonous stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, CAF supplied larger safety from hydrogen peroxide-induced stress in comparison with alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol, two different distinguished antioxidant compounds that had been earlier alleged to be main contributors to the antioxidant capability of brown rice.
In response to the examine’s estimates, the quantity of CAF in the entire grain of brown rice is five-fold larger than that of different antioxidant compounds present in brown rice. Additional, CAF will increase the focus of heme oxygenase-1 or HO-1, an enzyme that facilitates the manufacturing of antioxidants. “We demonstrated right here that CAF considerably elevated the mRNA stage of HO-1, the small molecular weight antioxidant-producing enzyme, at concentrations much like that required for cytoprotective results in resistance to oxidative harm,” Professor Nakamura explains.
The researchers additional explored this mechanism of motion by way of experiments the place blocking HO-1 exercise utilizing inhibitors lowered the antioxidant impact of CAF significantly. The excessive abundance and distinctive mechanism of motion are proof that CAF is the key contributing antioxidant in brown rice.
Via this examine, the researchers haven’t solely uncovered the key to the well being advantages of brown rice, but additionally locked down on the part that’s majorly chargeable for these advantages. It will enable the usage of CAF within the improvement of higher novel dietary supplements and meals merchandise targeted on client well being. As an optimistic Professor Nakamura observes, “Our examine might help within the improvement of latest useful meals and dietary supplements primarily based on the performance of CAFs, like CAF-based nutraceuticals.“
