Tocotrienols belong to the vitamin E family and have an unsaturated isoprenoid side chain. The various isoforms of tocotrienols differ in their methyl substitution in the chromanol head. α-Tocotrienol present in crude palm oil is regarded as a natural supplement.
Biochem/physiol Actions
α-Tocotrienol is an effective free radical scavengerand elicits protective functionality during oxidative stress in microsomes. It is a strong antioxidant, which reduces inflammation and is used in cancer treatment. α-tocotrienol supplementation may reduce cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemia. α-tocotrienol is neuroprotective as it blocks glutamate-induced cell death in neuronal cells.
α-Tocotrienol may be used along with other isoforms to differentiate tocotrienol activities.
Tocotrienols are widely utilized for their strong antioxidant properties. The various isoforms of tocotrienols differ in their methyl substitution in the chromanol head. α-tocotrienol demonstrates neuroprotective properties by blocking glutamate-induced cell death in neuronal cells.