Did You Know?

 

Tocotrienols, members of the vitamin E family, are natural compounds found in a number of vegetable oils, wheat germ, barley, and certain types of nuts and grains. Like Tocopherols are lipophilic in nature and are found in association with lipoproteins, fat deposits and cellular membranes and protect the polyunsaturated fatty acids from peroxidation reactions. Unlike tocopherols, tocotrienols are unsaturated and possess an isoprenoid side chain. The unsaturated chain of tocotrienol allows an efficient penetration into tissues that have saturated fatty layers such as the brain and liver. γ-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, and γ-tocotrienol, have unique antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are superior to those of α-tocopherol against chronic diseases.These forms scavenge reactive nitrogen species, inhibit cyclooxygenase- and 5-lipoxygenase-catalyzed eicosanoids and suppress proinflammatory signalling, such as NF-κB and STAT. Tocotrienols not only suppress cancer-cell proliferation, but also induces apoptosis in cancer cells. The antioxidant activities of tocotrienols are mediated through induction of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, NADPH: quinoneoxidoreductase, and glutathione peroxidase, which quench free radicals such as superoxide radicals. Oxidative stress is regarded as an important risk factor for hyperlipidemia. Tocotrienols, because of their antioxidant activity, have long been used for reducing blood lipid levels by suppressing HMG-CoA reductase activity through a post-translational mechanism.

 

Whats unique?

 

Tocotrienol uniquely prevents inducible neurodegeneration by regulating specific mediators of cell death.

 

Tales of the Past

 

In 1947, Stern, Robeson, Weisler & Baxter described presence of a derivative of tocol, delta-tocopherol, which was related to the already well-known alpha, beta and gama-tocopherol. Thus alpha, beta and gama-tocopherol were the 5,7,8-trimethyl, 5,8-dimethyl and 7,8-dimethyl derivatives of tocol respectively, and Stem et al. (1947) showed delta-tocopherol to be the 8-methyl derivative. Then later in 1960, Green, Mamalis, Marcinkiewicz & McHale showed that two distinct tocopherols relatd to alpha and beta tocopherol have the side chain at position 2 having three double bonds and being truly isoprenoid. On carrying out experiment, Dunphy, Whittle, Pennock & Morton (1965) reported on tocotrienols in commercial latex from Hevea, finding a total of about 46ug of deta-tocotrienol/g of latex of which 25ug/g was free and 21ug/g was esterified.

 

Application in Different Health Categories

 

Heart Health, Liver Health, Skin Health, Brain Health, Diabetes, Cancer Therapy,etc

 

Regulatory Status

 

Health Canada, FSSAI approved

 

Different Dosage Formats

 

Softgels, Sachets, Tablets,etc.

 

References

 

1. Pharmacological potential of tocotrienols: a review by Haseeb Ahsan1, Amjid Ahad, et al.

2. RICE BRAN AND ITS MAIN COMPONENTS: POTENTIAL ROLE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CORONARY RISK FACTORS by A.F.G. Cicero, and G. Derosa.

3. Dose dependent elevation of plasma tocotrienol levels and its effect on arterial compliance, plasma total antioxidant status, and lipid profile in healthy humans supplemented with Tocotrienol rich Vitamin E by AHG Rasool, KH Yuen, K Yusoff, et al.