The Modulatory Effect of Cholesterol Synthesis by Oryza sativa Derived Bioactive Peptide Fractions: An In Vitro Investigation.

A primary risk factor of cardiovascular disease is referred to the high concentration of plasma cholesterol. The alleviation
of plasma cholesterol and inhibition of the catalytic domain of human 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase
(HMGCR), provides an alternative therapeutic candidate for reducing cholesterol. The present study evaluates the impact
of rice bran protein hydrolysate (RBPH) on cholesterol homeostasis. The RBPH was produced by in vitro digestion of the
extracted protein using commercial pepsin and pancreatic enzymes under optimized conditions. The hydrolysate was subjected to RP-HPLC and LC–MS profling indicating three major peaks having masses ranging from 120 to 903 m/z. The
degree of hydrolysis for producing the bioactive peptides has been marked with 61.53±0.36%. SDS-PAGE reveals resistance to digestion compared to the native protein extracted from rice bran. The RBPH regulates the cholesterol level in two
ways, the frst potential role is by restricting the recycling of bile salts to the liver via direct excretion, second by exhibiting
maximum micellar cholesterol inhibitory capacity and HMGCR inhibition in a dose dependent manner. The modulatory
efect of RBPH on cholesterol homeostasis suggests hypocholesterolaemic property which could fnd an excellent application in developing physiological functional foods.