Fermented Brown Rice Extract Causes Apoptotic Death of Human Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells via Death Receptor Pathway

Effects of Fermented Food Consumption on Non-Communicable Diseases

The gastrointestinal flora consists of several microbial strains in variable combinations in both healthy and sick humans. To prevent the risk of the onset of disease and perform normal metabolic and physiological functions with improved immunity, a balance between the host and gastrointestinal flora must be maintained. Disruption of the gut microbiota triggered by various factors causes several health problems, which promote the progression of diseases. Probiotics and fermented foods act as carriers of live environmental microbes and play a vital role in maintaining good health. These foods have a positive effect on the consumer by promoting gastrointestinal flora. Recent research suggests that the intestinal microbiome is important in reducing the risk of the onset of various chronic diseases, including cardiac disease, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, several cancers, and type 2 diabetes. The review provides an updated knowledge base about the scientific literature addressing how fermented foods influence the consumer microbiome and promote good health with prevention of non-communicable diseases. In addition, the review proves that the consumption of fermented foods affects gastrointestinal flora in the short and long term and can be considered an important part of the diet.

Anthocyanins in Red Jasmine Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Extracts and Efficacy on Inhibition of Herpes Simplex Virus, Free Radicals and Cancer Cell

Rice is one of the most important food crops in many countries, with nutritional value and health benefits. In this study, the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of red jasmine rice from Chiang Mai, Thailand were examined for their anthocyanins and phenolic contents. The antioxidant and antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2), as well as anticancer activity, were investigated. The total anthocyanins content of 708.03 ± 11.56 mg Cy-3-glc equivalent/g extract, determined from the ethanolic extract, was higher than the aqueous extract. However, the aqueous extract showed the highest total phenolic compound of 81.91 ± 0.51 mg GAE/g extract. In addition, the ethanolic extract demonstrated higher antioxidant activity than aqueous extract using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays by 28.91 ± 3.26 mg GAE/g extract, 189.45 ± 11.58 mg 24 TEAC/g extract, and 3292.46 ± 259.64 g FeSO₄/g extract, respectively. In the antiviral assay, it was found that the ethanolic extract of red jasmine rice could inhibit HSV-1 more effectively than HSV-2 when treated before, during, and after the viral attachment on Vero cells, with 50% effective doses of 227.53 ± 2.41, 189.59 ± 7.76, and 192.62 ± 2.40 µg/mL, respectively. The extract also demonstrated the highest reduction of HSV-1 particles at 4 h after treatment and the inhibition of HSV-1 replication. The ethanolic extract exhibited a higher toxicity level than the aqueous extract, as well as the potential to induce DNA fragmentation by intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways on the Caco-2 cells. These findings suggest that red jasmine rice extract demonstrates nutritional value and biological activity on HSV, free radicals, and cancer cell inhibition.

A novel aqueous extract from rice fermented with Aspergillus oryzae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae possesses an anti-influenza A virus activity

Human influenza virus infections occur annually worldwide and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Hence, development of novel anti-influenza drugs is urgently required. Rice Power^® extract developed by the Yushin Brewer Co. Ltd. is a novel aqueous extract of rice obtained via saccharization and fermentation with various microorganisms, such as Aspergillus oryzae, yeast [such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae], and lactic acid bacteria, possessing various biological and pharmacological properties. In our previous experimental screening with thirty types of Rice Power^® extracts, we observed that the 30^th Rice Power^® (Y30) extract promoted the survival of influenza A virus-infected Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Therefore, to identify compounds for the development of novel anti-influenza drugs, we aimed to investigate whether the Y30 extract exhibits anti-influenza A virus activity. In the present study, we demonstrated that the Y30 extract strongly promoted the survival of influenza A H1N1 Puerto Rico 8/34 (A/PR/8/34), California 7/09, or H3N2 Aichi 2/68 (A/Aichi/2/68) viruses-infected MDCK cells and inhibited A/PR/8/34 or A/Aichi/2/68 viruses infection and growth in the co-treatment and pre-infection experiments. The pre-treatment of Y30 extract on MDCK cells did not induce anti-influenza activity in the cell. The Y30 extract did not significantly affect influenza A virus hemagglutination, and neuraminidase and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activities. Interestingly, the electron microscopy experiment revealed that the Y30 extract disrupts the integrity of influenza A virus particles by permeabilizing the viral membrane envelope, suggesting that Y30 extract has a direct virucidal effect against influenza A virus. Furthermore, we observed that compared to the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract, the water extract of Y30 extract considerably promoted the survival of cells infected with A/PR/8/34 virus. These results indicated that more anti-influenza components were present in the water extract of Y30 extract than in the EtOAc extract. Our results highlight the potential of a rice extract fermented with A. oryzae and S. cerevisiae as an anti-influenza medicine and a drug source for the development of anti-influenza compounds.

Rice Bran By-Product: From Valorization Strategies to Nutritional Perspectives

The aim of this study is to review the innovative techniques based on bioprocessing, thermal or physical treatments which have been proposed during the last few decades to convert rice bran into a valuable food ingredient. Rice bran (Oryza sativa) is the main by-product of rice grain processing. It is produced in large quantities worldwide and it contains a high amount of valuable nutrients and bioactive compounds with significant health-related properties. Despite that, its application in food industry is still scarce because of its sensitivity to oxidation processes, instability and poor technological suitability. Furthermore, the health-related effects of pretreated rice bran are also presented in this review, considering the up-to-date literature focused on both in vivo and in vitro studies. Moreover, in relation to this aspect, a brief description of rice bran arabinoxylans is provided. Finally, the application of rice bran in the food industry and the main technology aspects are concisely summarized.

Effect of Harvest Age on Total Phenolic, Total Anthocyanin Content, Bioactive Antioxidant Capacity and Antiproliferation of Black and White Glutinous Rice Sprouts

Black (cv. BGR) and white (cv. RD6) glutinous rice sprouts from fertilizer- and pesticide-free farm in Khon Kaen province, Thailand were investigated for antioxidation and antiproliferative activity. Three different ages of rice sprouts were collected and prepared as the extract. BGR exerted higher antioxidant capacity than RD6 based on total phenolic (TPC) and total anthocyanin contents (TAC), DPPH, and FRAP assays. BGR at 10–15 days contained the highest TPC (29.72 ± 1.42 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract) and reducing power (2.22 ± 0.014 mmole FeSO4/g extract). BGR at 20–25 days contained the highest TAC (0.86 ± 0.096 equivalence of cyanidin-3-glucoside/g extract) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 231.09 ± 12.99 μg/mL). Antiproliferative activity of the extracts was evaluated in the human T-lymphocyte (Jurkat), hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), colorectal carcinoma (HCT116), melanoma (SK-MEL-2) and noncancerous cells (Vero) by neutral red assay. BGR showed the most selective antiproliferation against Jurkat cells, by inducing apoptosis, and caspase 3/7 activity. BGR at 200 μg/mL from all ages significantly decreased ROS using DCFH-DA and increased endogenous glutathione levels in Jurkat cells compared to the control (p < 0.05). The higher antiproliferation of BGR than RD6 was via its antioxidation capacity and attributed to its higher phenolic and anthocyanin contents. BGR sprout is a potential source of biologically active substances good for wellness and health benefits.

Analysis of steryl glucosides in rice bran-based fermented food by LC/ESI-MS/MS

Steryl glucosides (SGs) and acylated steryl glucosides (ASGs) are phytochemicals found in plant-based foods and are known as bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. These include anti-inflammatory properties, anti-diabetic effects, and modulation of immunoregulatory functions as well as having cholesterol lowering effects. In this study, three major SGs, i.e., glucosides of β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol, were synthesized and used as standards for measurement of their contents in rice bran (RB)-based fermented food (FBRA) utilizing Aspergillus oryzae and raw material (RM). The compounds were quantified using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. It was found that β-sitosteryl glucoside was most abundant among the analyzed glucosides in both samples, and the contents of each SG in FBRA decreased about 35% from those of RM. In contrast to SGs, the contents of ASGs in FBRA increased 1.5-fold during the fermentation process as evidenced by an alkaline hydrolysis. The present results suggest that the FBRA might have greater beneficial effects than the RM, since ASGs have shown to have more potent cholesterol lowering effects and stronger anti-diabetic properties than SGs.

The anti-cancer activity and potential clinical application of rice bran extracts and fermentation products

Rice bran is the main by-product of rice processing and contains approximately 64% of the nutrients in rice. Its various nutrient elements include rice bran proteins, oil, oryzanol, vitamins, polysaccharides, etc. The use of fermented technology can increase the content of bioactive peptides, promote the absorption efficiency, and further improve the functionality and added value of rice bran. In recent years, the nutritional value and function of the extracts and fermented products of rice bran have been emphatically studied. Rice bran extracts and fermentation products serve a critical role in the anti-inflammatory reaction, reducing the plasma lipid effect and increasing anti-cancer activity. Moreover, few review studies have been reported on the anti-cancer activity and potential mechanism of action of rice bran extract and its fermentation products. In this review, we focused on the anti-cancer function, mechanisms, and potential clinical usage of rice bran extracts and fermentation products in the adjuvant therapy of cancer patients.

Extracts and fermentation products of rice bran serve important roles in mediating inflammation, cell cycel, cell apotosis, and cancer prevention.

Preventive Effects of Fermented Brown Rice and Rice Bran on Spontaneous Lymphomagenesis in AKR/NSlc Female Mice

Fermented brown rice and rice bran with Aspergillus oryzae (FBRA) is known to possess potentials to prevent chemical carcinogenesis in multiple organs of rodents. In the present study, possible chemopreventive effect of FBRA against spontaneous occurrence of lymphomas was examined using female AKR/NSlc mice. Four-week-old female AKR/NSlc mice were divided into three groups, and fed diets containing FBRA for 26 weeks at a dose level 0% (Group 1), 5% (Group 2) or 10% (Group 3). At the termination of experiment, the incidence of thymic malignant lymphoma of Group 3 was significantly lower than of Group 1 (p < 0.05). The average number of apoptotic cells of the thymic lymphoma of Group 3 was significantly larger than that of Group 1 (p < 0.05). In addition, the incidences of malignant lymphoma arising from body surface and abdominal lymph nodes, and the frequencies of lymphoma cell invasion to liver, kidney, spleen, and ovary of Group 3 were relatively lower than those of Group 1. These results indicate that FBRA inhibits spontaneous development of the lymphoma in female AKR/NSc mice and the inhibition of lymphomagenesis may relate to the induction of apoptosis by exposure of FBRA, suggesting that FBRA could be a protective agent against development of human lymphoma.

Sea Buckthorn Leaf Extract Inhibits Glioma Cell Growth by Reducing Reactive Oxygen Species and Promoting Apoptosis

Hippophae rhamnoides L., also known as sea buckthorn (SBT), possesses a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities. However, the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. The present study examined whether SBT leaf extract could inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis of rat glioma C6 cells. The results revealed that the treatment with SBT leaf extract inhibited proliferation of rat C6 glioma cells in a dose-dependent manner. SBT-induced reduction of C6 glioma cell proliferation and viability was accompanied by a decrease in production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are critical for the proliferation of tumor cells. SBT treatment not only significantly upregulated the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) but also promoted its localization in the nucleus. Although increased expression and nuclear translocation of Bax were observed in SBT-treated C6 glioma cells, the induced nuclear morphological change was distinct from that of typical apoptotic cells in that most of SBT-treated cells were characterized by convoluted nuclei with cavitations and clumps of chromatin. All of these results suggest that SBT leaf extract could inhibit the rapid proliferation of rat C6 glioma cells, possibly by inducing the early events of apoptosis. Thus, SBT may serve as a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of glioma.

Preventive Effects of Fermented Brown Rice and Rice Bran against Prostate Carcinogenesis in TRAP Rats

Fermented brown rice and rice bran with Aspergillus oryzae (FBRA) is considered to have the potential to prevent chemically-induced carcinogenesis in multiple organs of rodents. In the present study, we evaluated the possible chemopreventive effects of FBRA against prostate tumorigenesis. Six-week-old male rats of the transgenic rat for adenocarcinoma of prostate (TRAP) strain were fed diets containing 5% or 10% FBRA for 15 weeks. Animals were sacrificed at 21 weeks of age, and the ventral and lateral prostate were removed for histopathological evaluation and immunoblot analyses. FBRA decreased the incidence of adenocarcinoma in the lateral prostate and suppressed the progression of prostate carcinogenesis. Treatment with FBRA induced apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation in histologically high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasias. Phospho-AMP-activated kinase α (Thr172) was up-regulated in the prostate of rats fed the diet supplemented with FBRA. These results indicate that FBRA controls tumor growth by activating pathways responsive to energy deprivation and suggest that FBRA has translational potential for the prevention of human prostate cancer.