2014 – Biobran

MGN-3/BIOBRAN Enhances Generation of Cytotoxic CD8+ T Cells Via Upregulation of DEC-205 Expression on Dendritic Cells

admin — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 18:07:00 +0000

Arabinoxylan rice bran (MGN-3/Biobran) has been shown to be a potent biological response modifier (BRM) that activates different arms of the immune system, including dendritic cells (DCs), which prime CD4+ helper T-cell responses. The present study explores the ability of MGN-3-activated DCs to prime CD8+ T cells and examines the mechanisms underlying its effect. Human monocyte-derived DCs were treated with MGN-3 (20 and 40 µg/ml). Results indicate that treatment with MGN-3 caused DCs to prime higher granzyme B-expressing CD8+ T cells. Tumor lysate-pulsed MGN-3 DC also increased tumor cell killing compared to DC-stimulated CD8+ T cells. This was associated with: i) increased expression of DEC-205 in MGN-3-activated DCs in a dose—dependent manner; and ii) MGN-3 induced significant production of Type III interferon, IL29, but not Type I IFNs on and B. These results suggest that MGN-3 is a potent natural adjuvant that efficiently activates DCs and may therefore be useful for mounting an efficient immune response against infections and cancer.

Therapeutic Effects of Biobran, Modified Arabinoxylan Rice Bran, in Improving Symptoms of Diarrhea Predominant or Mixed Type Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Pilot, Randomized Controlled Study

admin — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 18:05:00 +0000

Recently, it was revealed that low grade mucosal inflammation and/or immune imbalance of the lower digestive tract is one of the mechanisms involved in symptom generation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Biobran, arabinoxylan compound derived from rice bran, has been reported to have several biological actions such as anti-inflammatory and immune modulatory effects. So we investigated the therapeutic effects of Biobran in patients with IBS. Method. Forty patientswith diarrhea predominant or mixed type IBS were randomly assigned to either a Biobran group for treatment with Biobran or a placebo group. Therapeutic efficacy and IBS symptoms were assessed subjectively by the patients after 4 weeks of administration. Results. The global assessment was effective in 63.2% of the Biobran group and in 30% of the placebo group (P < 0.05, Biobran group versus placebo group). Biobran group showed a significant decrease in the score of diarrhea and constipation and in CRP value. However, no significant changes were observed in the placebo group. Conclusion.The administration of Biobran improved IBS symptoms. It is likely that anti-inflammatory and/or immune modulatory effects of Biobran might be useful in IBS patients.

Modified Arabinoxylan from Rice Bran, MGN-3/Biobran, Sensitizes Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells to Paclitaxel In Vitro

admin — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 18:04:00 +0000

There is an increased interest in alternative treatments that reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy by lowering the drug concentration, whilst maintaining potency against cancer cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that arabinoxylan from rice bran, MGN-3/Biobran, sensitizes human breast cancer cells (BCC) to daunorubicin (DNR). In the present study, we further evaluated the ability of MGN-3 to sensitize cells to another chemotherapy agent, paclitaxel. Materials and Methods: Non-metastatic MCF-7 (human BCC) and metastatic 4T1 (murine BCC) cells were cultured with different concentrations of paclitaxel in the presence or absence of MGN-3 . Cell survival, DNA damage, and cell proliferation were examined. Results: MGN-3 increased the susceptibility of both types of cancer cells to paclitaxel by over 100-fold. Mechanistically, MGN-3 works synergistically with paclitaxel by causing DNA damage, enhancing apoptosis, and inhibiting cell proliferation in 4T1 cells. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that MGN-3 is an effective chemosensitizer and may represent a novel adjuvant for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.