– A compound in rice bran may help calm an overactive gut by reducing the calcium signals that cause intestinal muscles to contract. Ferulic acid suppressed contractions triggered by several chemical messengers in laboratory experiments. The discovery could eventually support new dietary approaches for diarrhea-related digestive disorders, although it may make constipation worse.
News
A naturally occurring compound found in rice bran may influence how strongly the intestines contract, according to new research from Toho University.
The study, led by Dr. Keisuke Obara, Dr. Kento Yoshioka, and Professor Yoshio Tanaka of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, found that ferulic acid (FA) can reduce intestinal smooth muscle contractions by blocking voltage-dependent calcium channels. The discovery could eventually support new dietary approaches for intestinal motility disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
A Common Compound in Whole Grains
Details
Ferulic acid is a polyphenol found in many plant-based foods, especially whole grains and rice bran. It is already known for its antioxidant and neuroprotective effects, and previous research has largely examined how it may benefit the body more broadly.
Much less was known, however, about its effects on gastrointestinal motility, the coordinated muscle activity that moves food and waste through the digestive system.
People with IBS and IBD can experience abnormal intestinal movement. In some cases, the gut contracts too much, while in others, movement is reduced. The researchers set out to determine whether FA could directly alter these contractions.
Analysis
Ferulic Acid Reduced Intestinal Contractions
The team tested FA using guinea pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle (ILSM). The compound significantly reduced contractions triggered by several signaling molecules, including acetylcholine, histamine, prostaglandin F2α, and serotonin.
The inhibitory effect was reversible, meaning normal contractions returned after FA was removed. It was also concentration-dependent, with stronger effects appearing at higher concentrations.
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