Gamma oryzanol is a group of esters of ferulic acid and various plant sterols and terpenoids, being particularly abundant in rice bran oil. Evidence suggests that gamma oryzanol has significant antioxidant capacity and may be able to prevent lipid peroxidation. As gamma oryzanol is found in rice bran oil which is high in unsaturated fatty acids, its high antioxidant capacity may serve to protect the delicate oils from lipid peroxidation and thus help to preserve the integrity of the plant tissues. This explains the use of gamma oryzanol in sunscreens and cosmetic applications that are designed to care for the skin. Studies that have evaluated the antioxidant properties of gamma oryzanol suggest that it can reduce the induction of free radical generation in vitro in a dose dependent manner, and improve the oxidative stability of oils. Some of the biological properties of gamma oryzanol in humans and animals may therefore be explained because of its ability to inhibit free radical propagation.
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Juliano, C., Cossu, M., Alamanni, M. C. and Piu, L. 2005. Antioxidant activity of gamma-oryzanol: mechanism of action and its effect on oxidative stability of pharmaceutical oils. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 299(1-2): 146-154
