A new study conducted by researchers in Malaysia reveals that EVNol™ – full spectrum palm tocotrienol-tocopherol complex confers neuroprotection by reducing expression of CD40 (ie: co-stimulatory molecule produced by microglia). Increased in the expression of CD40 is associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases.

In this study, the BV2 or microglial cells (ie: central nervous system-specific macrophages) are divided into unstimulated and LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-stimulated groups. Both groups are treated with EVNol™ 50% (full spectrum palm tocotrienol-tocopherol complex, formerly known as Tocomin® 50%, supplied by ExcelVite) and delta-tocotrienol and followed by addition of LPS in the LPS- stimulated group. A chemical scavenging assay was conducted to study the nitrite scavenging activity of delta-tocotrienol. The examination of the effects of EVNol™50% and delta-tocotrienol on the expression of CD40 on microglial cells by flow cytometry was also carried out.

The results indicate that both EVNol™50% and delta-tocotrienol exert anti-inflammatory effects by reducing expression of CD40. Additionally, EVNol™ 50% shows significant reduced CD40 expression per microglial cell whereas delta-tocotrienol demonstrate statistically insignificant reduction. It is also shown that delta-tocotrienol does not inhibit NO (nitrite oxide) production of microglia via nitrate scavenging.

“This is the first study to demonstrate that palm tocotrienol-tocopherol complex but not delta-tocotrienol decreases the expression of CD40 per microglial cell effectively, suggesting that the synergistic effects of full spectrum tocotrienol/tocopherol complex conferring stronger protective effects on brain health, when compared to delta-tocotrienol alone. The reduction of the expression of CD40 is also correlated with reduced risks of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson disease and other brain-related injuries,” said CheeYen Lau, Nutritionist of ExcelVite.

“This new finding complements to the current NIH-Funded Studies at the Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center on EVNol™ and EVNol SupraBio™ -full spectrum palm tocotrienol complex in brain protection as well as a recent large published human clinical study on EVNol SupraBio™ in White Matter Lesions (2-6). We are delighted to see the increasing interest from researchers in studying neuroprotective properties of EVNol™ and EVNol SupraBio™ and look forward to seeing more results, particularly human studies in the future,” added Lau.

Sources:
1. Tan S. W., et.al (2016).Palm Tocotrienols Reduce Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Inflammatory Responses of Microglia. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences; 12:2.
2. Sen CK, et al. (2000). Molecular Basis of Vitamin E Action: Tocotrienol potently inhibits glutamate-induced pp60c-Src kinase and death of HT4 neuronal cells. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 275 (17), 13049-13055.
3. Khanna S, et al. (2003). Molecular Basis of Vitamin E Action: Tocotrienol modulates 12-lipoxygenase, a key mediator of glutamate-induced neurodegeneration. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 278 (44), 43508-43515.
4. Khanna S, et al. (2005). Neuroprotective Properties of the Natural Vitamin E alpha-Tocotrienol. Stroke, 36, e144-e152.
5. Khanna S, et al. (2010). Nanomolar vitamin E alpha-tocotrienol inhibits glutamate-induced activation of phospholipase A2 and causes neuroprotection. Journal of Neurochemicstry, 112, 1248-1260.
6. Khanna S, et.al (2013). Loss of miR-29b following acute ischemic stroke contributes to neural cell death and infarct size. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 33:1197-1206.

Disclaimer: The statements in the above article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.