Carcinogenicity study of gamma-oryzanol in F344 rats

Oral administration of ferulic acid or ethyl ferulate attenuates retinal damage in sodium iodate-induced retinal degeneration mice

Epidemiological studies indicate that the daily intake of antioxidants from a traditional Asian diet reduces the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. Many of the phytochemicals that are abundant in whole grains exhibit a wide variety of biological activity such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic acid found in vegetables and grains that has therapeutic potential for diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, and other diseases. We investigated the retinal protective effect of FA in a sodium iodate (NaIO₃)-induced model of retinal degeneration. In a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line, FA attenuated H₂O₂-induced injury and lipopolysaccharide- or 7-ketocholesterol-induced inflammation. In mice, the oral administration of FA or its analog, ethyl ferulate, attenuated the morphological and functional features of NaIO₃-induced retinal degeneration according to optical coherence tomography and electroretinography. Our results demonstrate that the oral administration of FA provides protective effects to the retina, suggesting that the intake of FA as a daily supplement or daily healthy diet containing rich vegetables and whole grains may prevent age-related macular degeneration.

Development of Colorectal-Targeted Dietary Supplement Tablets Containing Natural Purple Rice Bran Oil as a Colorectal Chemopreventive

Colorectal cancer occurs due to various factors. The important risks are dietary lifestyle and inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It has been found that the inhibitory enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the colorectal region can potentially reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. The present study investigated rice bran oil from natural purple rice bran, which exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. This study aimed to evaluate the bioactive compound content of natural purple rice bran oil (NPRBO) derived from native Thai purple rice and the anti-inflammatory activity of NPRBO in colorectal cancer cells, and to develop a colorectal delivery platform in the form of film-coated tablets. NPRBO from the rice bran of five different Thai purple rice cultivars, namely Khao’ Gam Leum-Phua (KGLP), Khao’ Gam Boung (KGB), Khao’ Gam Thor (KGT), Khao’ Gam Pah E-Kaw (KGPEK), and Khao’ Niaw Dam (KND), were extracted using the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction technique. The amount of γ-oryzanol (ORY), tocotrienols, and tocopherols present in NPRBOs and the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of NPRBO were investigated. The highest anti-inflammatory NPRBO was transformed into a dry and free-flowing powder by liquisolid techniques. Then, it was compressed into core tablets and coated with Eudragit^®L100 and Eudragit^® NE30D. The in vitro release study of the film-coated NPRBO tablets was performed in three-phase simulated gastrointestinal media. The cultivar KGLP was superior to the other samples in terms of the ORY, tocotrienol and tocopherol contents and anti-inflammatory activity. Aerosil^® was the most suitable absorbent for transforming NPRBO into a free-flowing powder and was used to prepare the NPRBO core tablets. The in vitro KGLP-NPRBO film-coated tablet release profile showed that no ORY was released at gastric pH while 85% of ORY was released at pH 7.4 after 6 h; this would be expected to occur in the colorectal area. Therefore, this study demonstrates the potential of KGLP-NPRBO to prevent colorectal cancer via a specific colorectal dietary supplement delivery system.

Ninety-day oral toxicity study of rice-derived γ-oryzanol in Sprague-Dawley rats

A 90-day oral toxicity study of γ-oryzanol, a rice-derived triterpenoid ferulate, was performed by oral gavage administration to male and female Sprague-Dawley rats at doses of 0, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg body weight/day. All rats administered γ-oryzanol survived throughout the study period. Both male and female rats showed no toxicologically significant changes of the general signs, examination findings, body weight, food consumption, functional observational battery results, ophthalmological findings, urinalysis, hematology tests, clinical chemistry tests, organ weights, and necropsy findings. Moreover, there were no histopathological changes related to administration of γ-oryzanol in males and females from the 2000 mg/kg body weight/day group. In conclusion, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of γ-oryzanol exceeded 2000 mg/kg body weight/day for both male and female rats under the conditions of this study.

Amended Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Germ Oil, Rice Bran Acid, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Hydrogenated Rice Bran Wax, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Germ Powder, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, and Hydrolyzed Rice Protein1

This report addresses the safety of cosmetic ingredients derived from rice, Oryza sativa. Oils, Fatty Acids, and Waxes : Rice Bran Oil functions in cosmetics as a conditioning agent—occlusive in 39 formulations across a wide range of product types. Rice Germ Oil is a skin-conditioning agent—occlusive in six formulations in only four product categories. Rice Bran Acid is described as a surfactant— cleansing agent, but was not in current use. Rice Bran Wax is a skin-conditioning agent—occlusive in eight formulations in five product categories. Industry did not directly report any use of Rice Bran Wax. Hydrogenated Rice Bran Wax is a binder, skin-conditioning agent—occlusive, and viscosity-increasing agent—nonaqueous in 11 formulations in six product categories. Rice Bran Oil had an oral LD50 of >5 g/kg in white rats and Rice Wax had an oral LD50 of > 24 g/kg in male mice. A three-generation oral dosing study reported no toxic or teratologic effects in albino rats fed 10% Rice Bran Oil compared to a control group fed Peanut Oil. Undiluted Rice Bran Oil, Rice Germ Oil, and Hydrogenated Rice Bran Wax were not irritants in animal skin tests. Rice Bran Oil was not a sensitizer. Rice Bran Oil, Rice Germ Oil, Rice Wax, and Hydrogenated Rice Bran Wax were negative in ocular toxicity assays. A mixture of Rice Bran Oil and Rice Germ Oil had a ultraviolet (UV) absorption maximum at 315 nm, but was not phototoxic in a dermal exposure assay. Rice Bran Oil was negative in an Ames assay, and a component, -oryzanol, was negative in bacterial and mammalian mutagenicity assays. Rice oils, fatty acids, and waxes were, at most, mildly irritating in clinical studies. Extracts : Rice Bran Extract is used in six formulations in four product categories. Rice Extract is a hair-conditioning agent, but was not in current use. Hydrolyzed Rice Extract is used in four formulations and current concentration of use data were provided for other uses. Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract, described as a skin-conditioning agent—miscellaneous, is used in two product categories. Use concentrations are in the 1% to 2% range. Rice Bran Extract is comprised of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, mineral ash, and water. The content includes palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids. Other components include antioxidants such as tocopherols. Rice Extract reduced the cytotoxicity of sodium chloride in male rats. Bran, Starch and Powder : Rice Bran (identified as rice hulls) is an abrasive and bulking agent in one formulation. Rice Starch is an absorbent and bulking agent in 51 formulations across a wide range of product categories. Rice Germ Powder is an abrasive and one manufacturer described an exfoliant use, but it was not reported to be used in 2002. Oral carcino-genicity studies done on components of Rice Bran (phytic acid and -oryzanol) were negative. Rice Bran did not have an anticarcinogenic effect on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced large bowel tumors. In cocarcinogenicity studies done using 1,2-dimethylhydrazine and other agents, with Rice Bran Oil and Rice Bran-derived hemicellulose and saccharide, tumor inhibition was observed; -oryzanol did not inhibit the development of neoplasms. A decrease in cutaneous lesions in atopic dermatitis patients was reported following bathing with a Rice Bran preparation. Proteins : Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein and Hydrolyzed Rice Protein function as conditioning agents (hair or skin), but only the latter was reported to be used in a few products. An in vitro phototoxicity assay using UVA light found no photochemical toxicity. Rice bran protein hydrolysates are not acutely toxic, are not skin or ocular irritants in animals, are not skin sensitizers in guinea pig maximization tests, and are not irritating or sensitizing in clinical tests. Isolated cases of allergy to raw rice have been reported, but rice, in general, is considered nonallergenic. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel considered that safety test data available on certain of these ingredients could be extrapolated to the entire group. Although Rice Bran Extract does contain UV absorbing compounds at low concentrations, clinical experience suggested no phototoxi-city would be associated with such materials. Rice derived ingredients generally are considered to be nonallergenic. There were no safety test data available for Hydrolyzed Rice Extract and Hy-drolyzed Rice Bran Extract, but their safety may be inferred from that of the extracts from which they are derived. Current levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals in rice-derived ingredients used in cosmetics are not a safety concern. The Panel was concerned, however, that contaminants such as pesticides have been reported in Rice Bran Oil used for cooking. Pesticides and heavy metals should not exceed currently reported levels for ricederived cosmetic ingredients. The CIR Expert Panel concluded that these rice-derived ingredients are safe as cosmetic ingredients in the practices of use and concentrations as described in this safety assessment.

Investigation of nutriactive phytochemical - gamma-oryzanol in experimental animal models

Gamma-oryzanol (GO) is an abundant dietary antioxidant that is considered to have beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. Other potential properties of GO include inhibition of gastric acid secretion and decreased post-exercise muscle fatigue. GO is a unique mixture of triterpene alcohol and sterol ferulates present in rice bran oil, a byproduct of rice processing. GO has been studied by many researchers over the last three decades. In particular, the utility of GO supplementation has been documented in numerous animal models. A large variety of species was examined, and various experimental methodologies and targets were applied. The aim of this study was to summarize the body of research on GO supplementation in animals and to examine possible mechanisms of GO action. Furthermore, while the safety of GO supplementation in animals has been well documented, studies demonstrating pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and efficiency are less clear. The observed differences in these findings are also discussed.

Rice bran oil and gamma-oryzanol in the treatment of hyperlipoproteinaemias and other conditions

Diet is the first (and sometimes the only) therapeutic approach to hyperlipoproteinaemias. Rice bran oil and its main components (unsaturated fatty acids, triterpene alcohols, phytosterols, tocotrienols, alpha-tocopherol) have demonstrated an ability to improve the plasma lipid pattern of rodents, rabbits, non-human primates and humans, reducing total plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentration and increasing the high density lipoprotein cholesterol level. Other potential properties of rice bran oil and gamma-oryzanol, studied both in vitro and in animal models, include modulation of pituitary secretion, inhibition of gastric acid secretion, antioxidant action and inhibition of platelet aggregation. This paper reviews the available data on the pharmacology and toxicology of rice bran oil and its main components with particular attention to those studies relating to plasma lipid altering effects.

Safety evaluation of phytosterol esters. Part 2. Subchronic 90-day oral toxicity study on phytosterol esters--a novel functional food

Phytosterol esters (PE) are intended for use as a novel food ingredient, primarily in margarines and spreads as a functional component with plasma cholesterol lowering activity. Phytosterols and their esters are present naturally in vegetable oils and on average people consume 200 mg/day, but their consumption at this level is not sufficient to lower plasma cholesterol levels. Therefore, through the incorporation of PE into margarines/spreads, the intake can be increased by approximately 10-fold by consuming the PE-containing margarine/spread at normal intake levels. As part of an extensive programme of safety evaluation studies a subchronic rat toxicity study has been conducted in which groups of Alpk:AP(f)SD (Wistar derived) rats (20 males and 20 females/group) were fed diets containing PE at levels of 0, 0.16, 1.6, 3.2 and 8.1% (w/w) in the diet for 90 days. Throughout the study, clinical observations, body weights, and food and water consumption were measured. At the end of the study the rats were subjected to a full post-mortem examination, cardiac blood samples were taken for clinical pathology, selected organs were weighed, and a full tissue list was taken for subsequent histological examination. There were no treatment-related changes that were considered to be of toxicological significance. Therefore, a nominal PE concentration of 8.1% was considered to be the no-observed-adverse- effect level (NOAEL) following daily oral administration to rats for 90 days. This was equivalent to a dose of 6.6 g/kg body weight/day PE or 4.1 g/kg/day phytosterol.

Carcinogenicity study of gamma-oryzanol in B6C3F1 mice

The carcinogenic potential of gamma-oryzanol, a drug mainly used for the treatment of hyperlipidaemia, was studied in B6C3F1 mice. Groups of 50 males and 50 females were fed a diet containing 0 (control), 200, 600 or 2000 mg gamma-oryzanol/kg body weight/day for 78 wk. No treatment-related changes were observed in general condition, body weight, food consumption, mortality, organ weight or haematology. Histopathological examinations showed various tumours in all groups, including the control group. In the control and 2000-mg/kg groups, relatively high tumour incidences were observed in the liver of males and in the haematopoietic organs of females. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of any tumours between the control and the 2000-mg/kg groups. The findings indicate that under the experimental conditions described gamma-oryzanol was not carcinogenic in B6C3F1 mice.