Identifying Chemical Composition,Safety and Bioactivity of Thai Rice Grass Extract Drink in Cells and Animals

Rice grass has been reported to contain bioactive compounds that possess antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activities. We aimed to assess rice grass extract (RGE) drink by determining catechin content, free-radical scavenging and iron-binding properties, as well as toxicity in cells and animals. Young rice grass (Sukhothai-1 strain) was dried, extracted with hot water and lyophilized in a vacuum chamber. The resulting extract was reconstituted with deionized water (260 mg/40 mL) and served as Sukhothai-1 rice grass extract drink (ST1-RGE). HPLC results revealed at least eight phenolic compounds, for which the major catechins were catechin, epicatechin and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) (2.71–3.57, 0.98–1.85 and 25.47–27.55 mg/40 mL serving, respectively). Elements (As, Cu, Pb, Sn and Zn) and aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1 and G2) contents did not exceed the relevant limits when compared with WHO guideline values. Importantly, ST1-RGE drink exerted radical-scavenging, iron-chelating and anti-lipid peroxidation properties in aqueous and biological environments in a concentration-dependent manner. The drink was not toxic to cells and animals. Thus, Sukhothai-1 rice grass product is an edible drink that is rich in catechins, particularly EGCG, and exhibited antioxidant, free radical scavenging and iron-binding/chelating properties. The product represents a functional drink that is capable of alleviating conditions of oxidative stress and iron overload.     

Gastroprotective Activities of Ethanol Extract of Black Rice Bran (Oryza sativa L.) in Rats

Black rice is a type of rice in the Oryza sativa L. species. There are numerous reports regarding the pharmacological actions of black rice bran, but scientific evidence on its gastroprotection is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective activities of black rice bran ethanol extract (BRB) from the Thai black rice variety Hom Nil (O. sativa L. indica) as well as its mechanisms of action, acute oral toxicity in rats, and phytochemical screening. Rat models of gastric ulcers induced by acidified ethanol, indomethacin, and restraint water immersion stress were used. After pretreatment with 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of BRB in test groups, BRB at 800 mg/kg significantly inhibited the formation of gastric ulcers in all gastric ulcer models, and this inhibition seemed to be dose dependent in an indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer model. BRB could not normalize the amount of gastric wall mucus, reduce gastric volume and total acidity, or increase gastric pH. Although BRB could not increase NO levels in gastric tissue, the tissue MDA levels could be normalized with DPPH radical scavenging activity. These results confirm the gastroprotective activities of BRB with a possible mechanism of action via antioxidant activity. The major phytochemical components of BRB comprise carotenoid derivatives with the presence of phenolic compounds. These components may be responsible for the gastroprotective activities of BRB. The 2000 mg/kg dose of oral BRB showed no acute toxicity in rats and confirmed, in part, the safe uses of BRB.     

New Aliphatic Alcohol and Ester Constituents from Rice Hulls of Oryza sativa

Six new aliphatic alcohol and ester compounds of n-octacos-9-enyl propionate （1）, 4-（3-formylheptyl）cyclohexyl 4-（cyclohexylcarbonyloxymethyl）cyclohexyl-carboxylate （2）, n-hentriacont-25-en-5α-ol （3）, n-hexetriacont-9,26-dien-8α,11β,23α-triol （4）, n-tetracontan-15α-ol （5） and n-tritetracontan-5α-ol （6） were isolated from the hulls of Oryza sativa. The structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis.     

Enhanced Antioxidant,Hyaluronidase, and Collagenase Inhibitory Activities of Glutinous Rice Husk Extract by Aqueous Enzymatic Extraction

In this research, we aimed to compare the biological activities related to cosmeceutical applications of glutinous rice husk extracted by aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE) and conventional solvent extraction. Cellulase enzymes were used to assist the extraction process. The vanillic and ferulic acid contents of each extract were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography, and their antioxidant and anti-aging activities were investigated by spectrophotometric methods. The irritation effects of each extract were investigated by the hen’s egg test on chorioallantoic membrane. The rice husk extract from AEE using 0.5% w/w of cellulase (CE0.5) contained the significantly highest content of vanillic and ferulic acid (p < 0.05), which were responsible for its biological activities. CE0.5 was the most potent antioxidant via radical scavenging activities, and possessed the most potent anti-skin wrinkle effect via collagenase inhibition. Aside from the superior biological activities, the rice husk extracts from AEE were safer than those from solvent extraction, even when 95% v/v ethanol was used. Therefore, AEE is suggested as a green extraction method that can be used instead of the traditional solvent extraction technique given its higher yield and high quality of bioactive compounds. Additionally, CE0.5 is proposed as a potential source of natural antioxidants and anti-aging properties for further development of anti-wrinkle products.     

桂西北墨米中铁的测定

基于Fe(Ⅱ)与邻菲啰啉在pH为5~6的乙酸-乙酸钠缓冲溶液介质中形成橙红色配合物,其最大吸收波长为510 nm,是分光光度法测定痕量铁的经典方法。该法具有选择性好、简便、快速、准确的优点。用于测定广西东兰墨米中的痕量铁,结果满意。     

血糯米中微量元素Fe、Zn、Mn含量的测定

为测定血糯米中Fe、Zn、Mn微量元素含量,用V(HNO3) +V(HClO4) =4+1消解样品,火焰原子吸收光谱法测定.结果表明,血糯米中Fe、Zn、Mn的含量分别为:41.95、31.04、18.98μg/g,方法回收率在97.0％～104.2％之间,RSD≤4.1,该法准确度和精密度较高.可见血糯米中人体必需微...     

Instant Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Wave on Hemoglobin in Single Living Intact Red Blood Cell

The absorption spectrum of the hemoglobin （Hb） in single riving intact red blood cell（RBC）, exposed in 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic wave （RF-EMW）, was non-invasive,in situ, real-time measured by employing a highly sensitive fast multi-channel microspectrophotometer system. Both the absorption intensity and site of intracellular Hb were altered after RBCs were exposed in 900 MHz RF-EMW with power density at 5 mW/cm^2. It was indicated that not only the concentration of Hb in living RBCs was decreased, but the molecular structure of Hb was changed by the RF-EMW action.     

小鼠模型水稻Fe/Se生物有效性快速检测研究

为研究不同水稻品种的Fe/Se生物有效性差异,分别用5 个水稻品种(Ⅱ优838、协优46、Ⅱ优2070、协优9308、金优987)的稻米对小白鼠进行饲养,饲养时间为30 d,运用ICP(等离子体光谱仪)测定了小白鼠血清和稻米中的Fe/Se含量,计算两者的比值.结果表明,小白鼠的血清铁含量同喂食的稻米铁含量的比值从高到低...     

基于微流控芯片电泳化学发光检测人单个红细胞中血红蛋白的含量

运用自行设计组装的微流控芯片电泳化学发光检测装置和单细胞分析专用玻璃微流控芯片,建立了一种测定人单个血红细胞中血红蛋白(Hb)含量的新方法。该方法采用双T型的窄进样通道,宽反应通道及适中分离通道的玻璃微流控芯片,集成单个细胞的进样、固定、溶胞、分离和检测等操作于一块微流控芯片上。以p H 10.5的硼砂缓冲液为电泳介质,选用鲁米诺-过氧化氢化学发光体系,对人单个红细胞中血红蛋白的含量进行测定。血红蛋白的质量在2.0~90 pg范围内,与化学发光强度(峰高)呈良好的线性关系,检出限(S/N=3)为0.8 pg。通过对19个血红细胞进行检测,得到人单个血红细胞中血红蛋白的含量在14~68 pg范围内,该结果与无氰HGB测量法测得的总体细胞血红蛋白的平均值(34.5 pg)基本一致。     

Antioxidant Effects of Anthocyanin-Rich Riceberry™ Rice Flour Prepared Using Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Technology on Iron-Induced Oxidative Stress in Mice

Redox-active iron generates reactive oxygen species that can cause oxidative organ dysfunction. Thus, the anti-oxidative systems in the body and certain dietary antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, are needed to control oxidative stress. We aimed to investigate the effects of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma technology in the preparation of Riceberry™ rice flour (PRBF) on iron-induced oxidative stress in mice. PRBF using plasma technology was rich in anthocyanins, mainly cyanidine-3-glucoside and peonidine-3-glucoside. PRBF (5 mg AE/mg) lowered WBC numbers in iron dextran (FeDex)-loaded mice and served as evidence of the reversal of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity, plasma total antioxidant capacity, and plasma and liver thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in the loading mice. Consequently, the PRBF treatment was observed to be more effective than NAC treatment. PRBF would be a powerful supplementary and therapeutic antioxidant product that is understood to be more potent than NAC in ameliorating the effects of iron-induced oxidative stress.     

A Review of Red Yeast Rice,a Traditional Fermented Food in Japan and East Asia: Its Characteristic Ingredients and Application in the Maintenance and Improvement of Health in Lipid Metabolism and the Circulatory System

Red yeast rice has been used to produce alcoholic beverages and various fermented foods in China and Korea since ancient times; it has also been used to produce tofuyo (Okinawan-style fermented tofu) in Japan since the 18th century. Recently, monacolin K (lovastatin) which has cholesterol-lowering effects, was found in some strains of Monascus fungi. Since statins have been used world-wide as a cholesterol-lowering agent, processed foods containing natural statins are drawing attention as materials for primary prevention of life-style related diseases. In recent years, large-scale commercial production of red yeast rice using traditional solid-state fermentation has become possible, and various useful materials, including a variety of monascus pigments (polyketides) that spread as natural pigments, in addition to statins, are produced in the fermentation process. Red yeast rice has a lot of potential as a medicinal food. In this paper, we describe the history of red yeast rice as food, especially in Japan and East Asia, its production methods, use, and the ingredients with pharmacological activity. We then review evidence of the beneficial effects of red yeast rice in improving lipid metabolism and the circulatory system and its safety as a functional food.