Vitamin E has long been shown to be associated with an antioxidant activity. Tocotrienols serve as the predominant vitamin E and presented in high quantities in palm oil, rice bran and barley. There is a growing body of evidence regarding the manner in which tocotrienols mediate their antioxidant activities. Experimental studies have suggested that the antioxidant activity of tocotrienols is mediated through the induction of phase II antioxidant enzymes such as; glutathione peroxidase (GPx), NADPH: quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), etc. The induction of phase II enzymes protects against free radical damage and reduces the incidence of radical derived degenerative diseases.
