The present study suggests that the changes of blood cholesterol can be mainly modulated by using the PGBR rather than BR. The prolonging of pre-germination time led to an increase in the bioactive components, thereby providing a more efficient functional diet affecting the high blood cholesterol. This study suggests that PGBR can be used instead of BR and polished rice in the human diet.

21This study investigated the anti-insulin resistant activity of red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) 22 fruit. Fresh pitaya along with two heat-processed pitaya samples with different proportions of 23 phenolic contents, scavenging activities, and soluble dietary fibers were tested in insulin 24 resistant rats over 6 weeks of treatment in a cause-effect study to investigate the anti-insulin 25 resistant components of red pitaya. The results showed that fresh pitaya significantly (p < 26 0.05) attenuated the insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia and atherosclerotic changes 27 induced by fructose supplement in rats. Thermally-treated pitaya at 95°C for 30 min 28 (containing low antioxidant content) significantly (p < 0.05) improved hyperinsulinemia. 29 Thermally-treated pitaya at 105˚C for 60 min (contained low antioxidant and soluble dietary 30 fiber content) feed to rats had no significant effect on insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and 31 atherogenesis. Based on this study, the anti-insulin resistant effect of red pitaya can be 32 attributed to its antioxidant and soluble dietary fiber contents.33 34

Eighteen varieties of Malaysian brown rice were evaluated for their crude protein, total glutamic acid, and gamma amino butyric acid contents after pre-germination at different times. The crude protein and total glutamic acid content increased significantly in all the varieties after pre-germination. Gamma amino butyric acid content increased dramatically with time during the pre-germination process. A significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation was observed between protein, glutamic acid, and gamma amino butyric acid contents before and after pre-germination. The brown rice varieties containing higher glutamic acid and/or protein content before the pre-germination process provided more gamma amino butyric acid content during pre-germination.

Essential oils (EO) are complex secondary metabolites, which are produced by aromatic plants and identified by their powerful odors. Present studies on EO and their isolated ingredients have drawn the attention of researchers to screen these natural products and evaluate their effect on the cardiovascular system. Some EO, and their active ingredients, have been reported to improve the cardiovascular system significantly by affecting vaso-relaxation, and decreasing the heart rate and exert a hypotension activity. Several mechanisms have been proposed for the role of EO and their main active components in promoting the health of the cardiovascular system. The objective of this review is to highlight the current state of knowledge on the functional role of EO extracted from plants for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and their mechanisms of action. Research on EO has the potential to identify new bioactive compounds and formulate new functional products for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as arterial hypertension, angina pectoris, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.