Additional potential therapeutic applications for rice bran arabinoxylan compound

This chapter highlights the research literature on using rice bran arabinoxylan compound (RBAC) as a nutraceutical and functional food for a range of acute and chronic conditions. RBAC has shown potential for supporting the liver, particularly in fatty liver disease, which involves an accumulation of fat in the parenchymal cells of the liver. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a persistent relapsing fatigue not alleviated by rest and exacerbated by moderate exercise. Research suggests that RBAC may support persons with CFS. Common colds and influenza are the most common diseases in humans. Studies on RBAC show beneficial effects in reducing the physical stress associated with acute respiratory tract infections and reveals prophylactic effects. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of disorders characterised by hyperglycaemia resulting from insulin resistance, inadequate insulin secretion, or excessive glucagon secretion. In animal-based studies, RBAC reveals therapeutic potential for DM through multiple pathways. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involves a disordered communication between the gut and brain, resulting in disturbances in motility, visceral hypersensitivity, and altered central nervous system processing. Previous research indicates that the administration of RBAC improves IBS symptoms, which may be associated with the compound’s anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory effects. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive inflammatory autoimmune disease associated with articular and systemic effects. Case studies of RBAC administration in chronic rheumatism have shown improvements in pain, quality of life, and serological assessments. Although the available evidence indicates the therapeutic benefits of RBAC in these disorders, further research is required to explain the mechanisms for altering the pathophysiology of the disease pathways.