Tocotrienols and its impact in cardiovascular health

Tocotrienols are members of the vitamin E family essential for human nutrition. It has four isomeric forms i.e., α, β, γ, δ. Palm oil and rice bran oil represent two major nutritional sources of natural tocotrienols. Taken orally, tocotrienols are bioavailable to all vital organs. Apart from tocotrienols antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antineurodegeneration, antimicrobial, anticancer properties it also has antihypercholesterolemic and antiangiogenic properties. During the last 7 years, tocotrienol research has gained substantial momentum. More than 75% of the entire PubMed literature on tocotrienols has been published on or after 2000. This represents major swing in the overall direction of tocotrienol research. The objective of this review is to highlight the potential significance of the tocotrienol in cardiovascular diseases, mainly anti hypercholesterolemic and anti hyperlipidemic properties along with its efficacy and safety.