Natural Sources of Tocotrienols: A Note on Absorption

Abstract

Tocotrienols are the major interest of research for their various biological potentials including anticancer activity. They belong to the Vitamin E group of compounds consisting of four isomers. They are obtained from various natural sources including palm oil, rice bran oil, and annatto. However, consuming these sources through diet cannot achieve the desired therapeutic effect due to the poor absorption and distribution of the tocotrienols through gut. It is being challenging since years to increase the bioavailability of tocotrienols so that they can be efficiently taken in the diet. Being lipophilic, they can be absorbed considerably well in the presence of food. Several human and in vivo animal studies indicated the potential of tocotrienols in various medical conditions such as cancer, neuro protection and inflammation. Rigorous research is needed to make them available for the public consumption with proper formulating techniques.

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) Leaves and Seed as a Potential Source of the Bioactive Compounds: Effects of Various Extraction Solvents on Biological Properties

“…The observed antibacterial efficiencies of the Kenaf plant might be due to the higher content of phenols and flavonoids [ 42 ]. It is stated that the secondary metabolites present in the plant are the key source of diverse pharmacological actions [ 43 ]. These metabolites also provide natural defensive pathways to inhibit various insects and pathogens, such as viruses and fungi [ 44 ].…”

Therapeutic Potentials of Syzygium fruticosum Fruit (Seed) Reflected into an Array of Pharmacological Assays and Prospective Receptors-Mediated Pathways

“…The relevance of this assumption has feasibility based on the serotonergic involvement of andrographolide compound detected in EaF-SF. Moreover, several phytomedicinal compounds families including flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, lipids, terpenes, and phthalides, have demonstrated neuroprotective potential by governing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown associated signaling transduction [ 56 , 57 ]. Similarly, for the central antinociceptive pathway of mediation andrographolide as well as highest COX1 and COX2 interaction displaying trifluoroacetoxypentadecane and guanosine needed to cross BBB [ 58 ].…”

The Potential Role of Nutraceuticals as an Adjuvant in Breast Cancer Patients to Prevent Hair Loss Induced by Endocrine Therapy

“…These hydrophobic polyphenolic compounds are considered to be naturally occurring SERMs since they can interact with both ERα and ERβ in either an agonistic or antagonistic manner [ 62 ]. Such nutraceuticals include resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenolic stilbene found in the skin of grapes, blueberries, raspberries and mulberries and in red wine [ 63 ]; tocotrienols, naturally occurring compounds found in plant seeds, such as rice bran, oil palm and annatto and belonging to the vitamin E family [ 64 ]; and brown seaweeds (kelp), which in addition to acting as an antagonist of ERα, are also inhibitors of aromatase, suggesting a protective role in the initiation and progression of estrogen-dependent cancers [ 65 ]. In contrast, saw palmetto ( Serona repens ) extract derived from the berries of the American dwarf tree is a competitive, nonselective inhibitor of both forms of 5α-reductase.…”