Rice bran arabinoxylan compound as a natural product for cancer treatment - an evidence-based assessment of the effects and mechanisms

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana

Rice bran arabinoxylan compound (RBAc) is a natural immunomodulator reported to show anticancer activity. The study critically evaluates available evidence on RBAc biological pathways and its effects for cancer prevention and treatment. A secondary analysis of a scoping review synthesizes findings across healthy and malignant cells, animal models, and humans, using meta-analysis for survival and quality-of-life from randomized controlled trials. Evidence synthesis of 38 articles links RBAc to apoptosis, immune restoration, synergy with chemotherapy via drug transport, improved liver cancer outcomes, antioxidant and chemoprotective effects, and increased survival odds.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages27

Reading Time1 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Cancer overview and mortality estimates

Causes and carcinogens

Cellular and molecular development of cancer

Keywords

Pharmaceutical Biology 2024, Vol. 62, No. 1, 367–393 [https://doi.org/10.1080/13880209.2024.2349042](https://doi.org/10.1080/13880209.2024.2349042) Review ARticle Rice bran arabinoxylan compound as a natural product for cancer treatment – an evidence-based assessment of the effects and mechanisms Soo liang Ooia, Peter S. Micalosb, Jeanman Kimc and Sok cheon Paka aSchool of Dentistry and medical Sciences, charles Sturt university, Bathurst,australia; bSchool of Dentistry and medical Sciences, charles Sturt university, Port macquarie, australia;cStr Biotech [co. ltd](co. ltd), chuncheon-si, gangwon-do, republic of Korea ABSTRACT Context: Rice bran arabinoxylan compound (RBAc) is a natural immunomodulator with anticancer properties. Objective: this study critically evaluates the available evidence on the biological pathways of RBAc and its effects on cancer treatment. Methods: this secondary analysis of a scoping review includes studies evaluating the mechanisms of RBAcon healthy or malignant cells, animal models, or humans for cancer prevention or treatment. Data from randomized controlled trials on survival and quality of life outcomes were subjectd to meta analysis. Results: the evidence synthesis was based on 38 articles. RBAc exhibited antitumor properties by promoting apoptosis and restoring immune function in cancer patients to enhance inflammatory and cytotoxic responses to block tumorigenesis. RBAc works synergistically with chemotherapeutic agents by upregulating drug transport. in a clinical trial, combining RBAc with chemoembolization in treating liver cancer showed improved response, reduced recurrence rates, and prolonged survival. RBAc also augments the endogenous antioxidant system to prevent oxidative stress and protect against radiation side effects. in addition, RBAc has chemoprotective effects. Animals and humans have exhibited reduced toxicity and side effects from chemotherapy. Meta analysis indicates that RBAc treatment increases the survival odds by 4.02-times (95% ci: 1.67, 9.69) in the first year and 2.89-times (95% ci: 1.56, 5.35) in the second year. Conclusion: RBAc is a natural product with immense potential in cancer treatment. Additional research is needed to characterize, quantify, and standardize the active ingredients in RBAc responsible for the anticancer effects. More well-designed, large-scale clinical trials are required to substantiate the treatment efficacies further. ARTICLE HISTORY received 10 November 2023 revised 12 april 2024 accepted 14 april 2024 KEYWORDS Biobran; biological response modifier; polysaccharide; immunomodulator; mgn-3; natural killer cells; proapoptotic agent Introduction Cancer is a disease that often evokes an image of ‘dread and death’in the minds of most people (Robb et al. 2014). According to the global mortality data estimates in 2019, cancer caused 3 out of 10 premature deaths due to non-communicable diseases (Bray et al. 2021). With an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases and almost 10.0 million cancer deaths in 2020 worldwide, cancer is a global concern (Sung et al. 2021). Also called malignancy, cancer refers to any pathophysiological conditions resulting from the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells that can become invasive to other organs or parts of the body through the circulatory and lymphatic systems (National Cancer Institute 2023). From a philosophical perspective, such disordered growth signifies the breakdown of the natural selection within the host tissue that defines the order of life itself (Lemoine 2022). Cancer is thus not a disease introduced by some entity foreign to the body, but rather the host cells turning rogue to become agents of destruction (Hausman 2019). Generally, cancer is named based on the primary site, and the most commonly diagnosed are breast, lung, colorectal, prostate, and stomach cancers (Sung et al. 2021) . The aetiology of cancer can range from infectious agents (such as viruses, par

FAQs

What is Rice bran arabinoxylan compound (RBAc) and why is it studied for cancer treatment?

RBAc is described as a natural immunomodulator with anticancer properties. The document evaluates how its biological pathways may influence cancer prevention and treatment outcomes.

What methods were used to assess the evidence for RBAc mechanisms and effects?

The review uses a secondary analysis of a scoping review, including studies on mechanisms in healthy or malignant cells, animal models, or humans. Randomized controlled trials for survival and quality of life were pooled with meta-analysis.

How does RBAc interact with chemotherapy according to the evidence provided?

The document states RBAc can work synergistically with chemotherapeutic agents by upregulating drug transport. In a clinical trial context, combining RBAc with chemoembolization for liver cancer reportedly improved response, reduced recurrence, and prolonged survival.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana