Tocotrienol acts in a double-pronged manner in reducing stroke volume. It improved blood supply to ischemic brain tissue by increasing leptomeningeal collaterisation and also prevented cell death at a neuronal level via inhibition of important neurotoxic pathways.

Clinical trial-proven neuroprotection in human

In a recently completed randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, conducted at the school of pharmaceutical sciences, University of Science, Malaysia, human volunteers with white matter lesions were recruited and given either mixed-tocotrienols like Tocovid SupraBio (Hovid) containing Tocomin SupraBio (Carotech) at 400 mg/day or placebo capsules for two years. Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to compare white matter lesions volume in volunteers. White matter lesions are subclinical brain damage strongly associated with established cardiovascular risk factors and is an independent risk factor for stroke.

Preliminary results of the clinical study are very encouraging. The average volume of white matter lesions is substantially smaller in the treated versus placebo group. This is to date the largest clinical trial on tocotrienols and the full results are due to be published soon.

Trial proving tocotrienol bioavailability, distribution to vital organs