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 hyperlip oproteinaemias. Rice bran oil and its main components (unsaturated fatty ac ids, triterpene alcohols, phytosterols, tocotrienols, alpha -tocopherol) ha ve demonstrated an ability to improve the plasma lipid pattern of rodents, rabbits, non-human primates and humans, reducing total plasma cholesterol a nd triglyceride concentration and increasing the high density lipoprotein c holesterol level. Other potential properties of rice bran oil and gamma -or yzanol, studied both in vitro and in animal models, include modulation of p ituitary secretion, inhibition of gastric acid secretion, antioxidant actio n and inhibition of platelet aggregation. This paper reviews the available data on the pharmacology and toxicology of rice bran oil and its main compo nents with particular attention to those studies relating to plasma lipid a ltering effects. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.