Anti-Atherogenic Effects of Fermented Fresh Coffee Bean, Soybean and Rice Bran Extracts

Fermented fresh coffee bean, soybean and rice bran extracts (FCSRE, GuardoxTM) is a mixture of aqueous extract of fresh coffee beans, rice bran, and soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis Natto. Superoxide anion and hydroxy radical were effectively trapped by FCSRE, as shown by electron spin resonance experiments. Thiobarbituric acid reacting substance (TBARS) formation in human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) induced by copper ion was inhibited by adding FCSRE (0.1 mg/dl) in vitro. Male New Zealand white rabbits were assigned to two groups, control rabbits (n=8) were fed a diet containing 1% cholesterol for 12 weeks, and experimental rabbits (n=8) were fed a 1% cholesterol diet with added 5% FCSRE (2 g/kg body weight/day). Although plasma cholesterol levels rapidly increased after initiation of the high cholesterol diet, no statistical difference was observed between the control and experimental groups. After 12 weeks, sera were sampled, rabbits were sacrificed, and aortas were removed. TBARS formation in LDL induced by copper ion was significantly lower in the experimental group compared with the control group. Lag time of LDL oxidation was also significantly longer in the experimental group. FCSRE administration significantly inhibited the TBARS formation in the aorta compared with the control animals. There was a significant difference in the aortic area covered with atherosclerotic lesions between the experimental and the control groups (53.7±16.3% vs. 36.2±8.18%, p<0.05). These results suggest that FCSRE may be a promising material for the prevention of atherosclerosis.