Fermented rice bran extract improves dyslipidemia in rodents

Purpose The study aims to investigate the potency of fermented rice bran extract as anti-hypercholesterolemia product by looking at its effect on lipid profile levels and blood glucose levels in dyslipidemia model rats. Design/methodology/approach Rice bran was fermented using Rhizopus oligosporus-contained tempeh mold extracted using distilled water. Twenty-four Sprague Dawley rats were divided into a control group and hypercholesterolemia groups. Hypercholesterolemia, also known as dyslipidemia, was induced with fructose-supplemented high-fat diet. Rats induced with dyslipidemia received three different fermented rice bran extract doses, 0 (negative) 1102.5 mg/kgBW/day (FRBE 1) and 2205 mg/kgBW/day (FRBE 2). Blood was collected before and after four weeks of treatment for lipid profile and blood glucose analysis. Findings FRBE 2 had significantly lower total cholesterol (101.6 ± 3.3 vs 187.6 ± 3.7 mg/dL), triglyceride (83.3 ± 2.8 vs 130.7 ± 3.4 mg/dL) and LDL level (27.9 ± 1.7 vs 76.7 ± 1.5 mg/dL) but higher HDL level (64.1 ± 3.0 vs 25.5 ± 1.2 mg/dL) compared to the negative group (p < 0.001). Provision of fermented rice bran showed dose-response relationship in all blood lipid markers. Originality/value This study was the first to investigate the effectivity of Rhizopus sp.-fermented rice bran extract to improve glucose and lipid profile.