The antiplatelet aggregation mechanisms of rice bran extract

Rice bran has been proven to offer many health benefits for humans. A study, published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, provided scientific evidence on the effects and mechanisms of rice bran extract against platelet aggregation (the clumping of platelets in the blood, leading to clot formation).

• Researchers from Malaysia and China conducted the study to identify the antiplatelet function of crude rice bran extract, wherein policosanol was the targeted bioactive.
• Platelets play a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, and their increased activities could potentially cause arterial clot formation or serious bleeding disorders.
• Rice bran is a nutritious food that has been believed to offer health benefits, especially against cardiovascular diseases.
• The researchers induced platelet aggregation through adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen, and arachidonic acid (AA).
• They pre-treated rat platelets with different concentrations of policosanol extract.
• They also analyzed the adhesion of platelets onto collagen- and laminin-coated surface, and measured the effect of crude policosanol extract on released proteins from activated platelets.
• Results revealed that rice bran policosanol extract substantially prevented platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner.
• Rice bran policosanol extract exhibited antiplatelet aggregation effect towards ADP, collagen, and AA.
• Crude rice bran policosanol extract significantly inhibited platelet adhesion to collagen and laminin in a dose-dependent manner.
• Upon crude extract treatment, cellular protein secretion of the treated platelets towards various stimulants was reduced.
• The findings of the study suggested that crude rice bran policosanol extract could prevent platelet adhesion, aggregation, and secretion.

In conclusion, rice bran policosanol extract could potentially be used as a natural treatment for cardiovascular diseases associated with platelet malfunction.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

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Journal Reference:

Wong W-T, Ismail M, Imam MU, Zhang Y-D. MODULATION OF PLATELET FUNCTIONS BY CRUDE RICE (ORYZA SATIVA) BRAN POLICOSANOL EXTRA. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 28 July 2016; 16(252). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1223-9