Asian diets characteristic rice as a staple grain, contributing in the direction of almost 90% of the world’s rice consumption. Brown rice, specifically, is understood to have a number of well being advantages. As an everyday addition to the weight loss plan, it may possibly assist cut back physique weight, decrease ldl cholesterol, and suppress irritation. The capacity of brown rice to neutralize reactive oxygen species and forestall mobile harm is important to a lot of its health-promoting results. Although earlier research have proven that the antioxidant compounds in brown rice can defend cells in opposition to oxidative stress, data concerning 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 School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University, researchers from Japan have recognized cycloartenyl ferulate (CAF) as the principle “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 expected to be a potent bioactive substance with various pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant effect and blood fat-lowering effect.“

The examine revealed on January 3, 2023 in quantity 24 situation 1 of International Journal of Molecular Sciences, was co-authored by Hongyan Wu, from Dalian Polytechnic University, and Toshiyuki Nakamura, from the Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science at Okayama University. In it, the researchers present proof of CAF’s antioxidant properties by demonstrating that it may possibly defend cells from stress attributable to hydrogen peroxide. Although hydrogen peroxide is a by-product of a cell’s metabolic processes, irregular quantities of the compound might be poisonous to cells and trigger irreversible harm. Treatment of cells with CAF elevated their resistance to poisonous stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, CAF offered higher safety from hydrogen peroxide-induced stress in comparison with alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol, two different distinguished antioxidant compounds that have been earlier imagined to be main contributors to the antioxidant capability of brown rice.

According 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. Further, CAF will increase the focus of heme oxygenase-1 or HO-1, an enzyme that facilitates the manufacturing of antioxidants. “We demonstrated here that CAF significantly increased the mRNA level of HO-1, the small molecular weight antioxidant-producing enzyme, at concentrations similar to that required for cytoprotective effects in resistance to oxidative damage,” Professor Nakamura explains.

The researchers additional explored this mechanism of motion via experiments the place blocking HO-1 exercise utilizing inhibitors decreased the antioxidant impact of CAF significantly. The excessive abundance and distinctive mechanism of motion are proof that CAF is the main contributing antioxidant in brown rice.

Through 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 answerable for these advantages. This will enable the usage of CAF within the growth of higher novel dietary supplements and meals merchandise targeted on shopper well being. As an optimistic Professor Nakamura observes, “Our study can help in the development of new functional foods and supplements based on the functionality of CAFs, like CAF-based nutraceuticals.“

Although, with such naturally occurring well being advantages, brown rice nonetheless very a lot appears to be like to be on the menu!