Hypolipidemic mechanism of oryzanol components- ferulic acid and phytosterols

The effect of oryzanol (well known hypolipidemic component in rice bran oil) and its chemical constituents- ferulic acid (FA) and phytosterols on hypolipidemia were investigated. Methods and Results: Docking (in silico) studies showed that FA had a better binding ability with lipase while sterols bound well with HMG-CoA reductase. Further in vivo studies of feeding high fat (30%) to rats increased body weights, serum TC, TG, non-HDL-C and reduced HDL-C were observed, compared to normal diet fed group (ND). ORZ treated groups alleviated the lipid profile. Furthermore, increased organ weights, higher intestinal lipase activity, and liver lipid peroxidation was observed in the high-fat group (HF). These effects were ameliorated in oryzanol concentrate fed groups (ORZ). Higher fecal fat was found in ORZ groups, analysis of fecal matter by mass spectroscopy revealed the presence of FA. In vitro, a bile acid binding study supported the strong affinity of sterol towards bile acids. In conclusion, oryzanol in the intestine is cleaved into FA and sterol by intestinal lipase enzymes both lipase and HMG-CoA reductase activities were inhibited, respectively. These hydrolysates eliminated the bile acids, thus lowering lipid profiles. [Display omitted] •Establishment of major role of oryzanol in the hypolipidemic effect.•Employment of various models including in silico, in vitro and in vivo for establishing hypolipidemic effect.•First study of mechanism pertaining to oryzanol in hypolipidemic effect.•A hypolipidemic property of oryzanol is due to its component rather than the native form of oryzanol.