Background. Universal salt iodization promotes the use of iodated salt for producing industrial food products, although it might affect product quality and iodine stability.Objective.

Parboiled germinated brown rice (PGBR) from the Khao Dawk Mali 105 (KDML 105) Thai rice strain is well-known for its nutrients and bioactive compounds. This research was conducted to determine the protective effect of PGBR on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced brain inflammation. Thirty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: (I) control group (basal diet); (II) CCl4 group (basal diet); (III) white rice + CCl4 group; (IV) brown rice + CCl4 group, and (V) PGBR + CCl4 group. PGBR, brown rice and white rice diets were produced by replacing cornstarch in basal diet with cooked PGBR, brown rice, and white rice, respectively. Twice weekly, each rat was orally administrated with 1 mL/kg of CCl4 in olive oil (1:1, v/v). After eight weeks, all rats were subjected to carbon dioxide euthanasia. The cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum were dissected and homogenised to evaluate the levels of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). It was observed that the administration of CCl4 induced the elevation of the TNF-α and IL-1β levels in all brain tissues, as well as the blood ammonia and serum liver functions also rose. However, there was a significant reduction in the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum in the PGBR + CCl4 group compared to the CCl4 group (P<0.05), whereas the blood ammonia and serum liver functions were also decreased. These findings suggest that regular consumption of PGBR may prevent CCl4-induced brain inflammation.

Centella asiatica (C.asiatica), locally known as Bua‐bok, is a local Thai herb consumed in both fresh squeezed juice and fresh form. Although triterpenoids from C. asiatica are claimed to provide health benefits, the bioavailability of triterpenoids in this plant is unknown. The first aims of the present study was to determine bioaccessibilty of asiatic acid and medecassic acid using the coupled in vitro digestion and Caco‐2 model. ACE inhibitory activity, the primary property of widely used hypertensive drugs, also was investigated. Both triterpenoids were stable during simulated digestion and 60‐70% partitioned in the aqueous fraction of digesta. Differentiated cultures of Caco‐2 cells accumulated 30‐40% of asiatic acid and medecassic acid from diluted aqueous fraction generated during digestion of C. asiatica in a time dependent manner and the compounds were stable once accumulated. Ethanolic extract of freeze dried C. asiatica and C. asiatica juice (0.2% pennywort) also inhibited ACE cleavage of HHL to hippuric acid with IC50 of 1 mg and 1.6 mg, respectively, suggesting potential use as natural anti‐hypertensive products.Supported by Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University.

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