Asian diets function rice as a staple grain, contributing in the direction of almost 90% of the world’s rice consumption. Brown rice, particularly, is understood to have a number of well being advantages. As an everyday addition to the weight loss plan, it might assist cut back physique weight, decrease ldl cholesterol, and suppress irritation. The power of brown rice to neutralize reactive oxygen species and stop mobile injury is significant to a lot 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 the direction of these useful properties has lengthy remained a thriller.
In a current 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 singular 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, similar to antioxidant impact and blood fat-lowering impact.”
The examine revealed on January 3, 2023 in quantity 24 problem 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 might 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 will be poisonous to cells and trigger irreversible injury. Remedy of cells with CAF elevated their resistance to poisonous stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, CAF supplied higher safety from hydrogen peroxide-induced stress in comparison with alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol, two different outstanding antioxidant compounds that have been earlier purported 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 increased 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 degree of HO-1, the small molecular weight antioxidant-producing enzyme, at concentrations much like that required for cytoprotective results in resistance to oxidative injury,” Professor Nakamura explains.
The researchers additional explored this mechanism of motion by means 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 most important contributing antioxidant in brown rice.
By way of this examine, the researchers haven’t solely uncovered the key to the well being advantages of brown rice, but in addition locked down on the part that’s majorly liable for these advantages. It will permit the usage of CAF within the improvement of higher novel dietary supplements and meals merchandise centered on client well being. As an optimistic Professor Nakamura observes, “Our examine will help within the improvement of latest practical meals and dietary supplements primarily based on the performance of CAFs, like CAF-based nutraceuticals.“
