The new patent (no 6,733,799 B2) allows 20 claims for the RiceMucil, RiceSolubles and Cea100 products, including inhibition of platelet aggregation, inhibition of HMGCoA reductase activity and dissolving aortic streaks, thereby reducing the risk of cardio and cerebrovascular disease in humans and mammals, according to Dr Rukmini Cheruvanky, chief science officer of NutraCea and co-inventor of the patent.
A previously issued patent for the rice bran derivatives allowed claims for reducing LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein-B and triglycerides in patients suffering from atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis and xanthomatosis, a very serious form of hardening of the arteries.
"With this additional patent and the clinical study currently underway at the University of New Mexico to substantiate the anti-thrombotic effects of these products in reversing cardio and cerebrovascular disease, we truly believe that we're just beginning to discover the potent pharmacological effects and enormous health benefits of these nutrient-dense rice bran derivatives," said Cheruvanky.