Black Sticky Rice and Dill Extract on Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attacks

by | Jan 16, 2025 | 2024, Botanicals, Brain Health, Stroke

Written by Chrystal Moulton, Science Writer. NIHSS scores improved in the high dose treatment group at week 1 (P < 0.05). 

elderly woman in gardenIschemic stroke accounts for 85% of all stroke cases with an expected 16.9 million new cases globally each year1. Oxidative stress and inflammation plays a vital role in both the pathophysiology and healing following stroke2,3. Thus, natural compounds that a rich in antioxidants which exhibit anti-inflammatory effects could benefit stroke victims. Black sticky rice and dill contain both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties4,5.  Pre-clinical investigations on the synergistic effects of both components demonstrated neuroprotective effects in animal studies6,7. Therefore, in the current trial, researchers conducted a proof-of-concept study to investigate the effect of a black sticky rice and dill extract on serum biomarkers and clinical outcomes following ischemic stroke in patients1.

The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Study duration was 6 weeks. Subjects were adults 18-80 years old who experienced TIA or ischemic stroke within the previous 5-10 days causing unilateral weakness, National Institute of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) ≤ 7, however, patients could still communicate. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to either:

  • Placebo = conventional treatment + placebo capsule
  • Low dose treatment = conventional treatment + 600mg black sticky rice and dill capsule
  • High dose treatment = conventional treatment + 1200mg black sticky rice and dill capsule

Researchers conducted safety assessments at baseline, week 1 and week 6. Safety assessment included blood chemistry panel, anthropometric changes, and biomarkers for ischemic stroke. National Institute of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) and Barthel Index evaluating neurological symptoms and ability to perform basic daily activities were conducted at baseline, week 1, 2, and 6. Selected biomarkers of ischemic stroke included Von Willebrand factor (vWF), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and S100-beta. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of supplementation with black sticky rice and dill extract with conventional care on changes in biomarkers of stroke and clinical changes in neurological outcomes post-TIA/stroke.

A total of 51 eligible patients were recruited for this trial and 39 participants completed this trial [13 subjects in each group]. No significant differences were observed across groups at baseline in demographics, blood chemistry, level of disability, NIHSS, Barthel Index (ability to perform daily activities), and biomarkers VCAM1, MMP-9, vWF, and S100-beta. At week 1, researchers observed a significant increase in LDL-C in the low dose group compared to placebo, which became non-significant by week 6. NIHSS scores were also significantly better in the high dose group at week 1 (P < 0.05). Compared to placebo, significant increases in serum biomarkers VCAM1 (P = 0.036) and MMP-9 (P = 0.006) were also observed in week 1 within the high dose treatment group. By week 6, only VCAM1 increased significantly (P = 0.024). Luteinizing hormone was significantly increased within normal range compared to placebo in the low dose treatment group at week 6. No serious adverse events were attributed to the treatment. Patients who withdrew reported rash, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and headache after 1 week of consumption.

Results from this trial demonstrated some effect on National Institute of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) within the first week of 1200mg black sticky rice and dill extract and an increase in biomarkers associated with stroke particularly VCAM-1 at week 1 and week 6. Since this trial was only a proof of concept, additional studies with a larger sample size will be needed to explore whether or not black sticky rice and dill extract could be beneficial post TIA and ischemic stroke.

Source: Kongbunkiat, Kannikar, Wipawee Thukham-Mee, Somsak Tiamkao, Narongrit Kasemsap, Nisa Vorasoot, and Jintanaporn Wattanathorn. “A Combined Extract Derived from Black Sticky Rice and Dill Improves Clinical Symptoms and Ischemic Stroke Biomarkers in Transient Ischemic Attack and Ischemic Stroke Patients.” Nutrients 16, no. 22 (2024): 3946.

© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
4.0/).

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted January 16, 2025.

Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.

References:

  1. Kongbunkiat K, Thukham-Mee W, Tiamkao S, Kasemsap N, Vorasoot N, Wattanathorn J. A Combined Extract Derived from Black Sticky Rice and Dill Improves Clinical Symptoms and Ischemic Stroke Biomarkers in Transient Ischemic Attack and Ischemic Stroke Patients. Nutrients. Nov 19 2024;16(22)doi:10.3390/nu16223946
  2. Salaudeen MA, Bello N, Danraka RN, Ammani ML. Understanding the Pathophysiology of Ischemic Stroke: The Basis of Current Therapies and Opportunity for New Ones. Biomolecules. Mar 4 2024;14(3)doi:10.3390/biom14030305
  3. Ciancarelli I, Morone G, Iosa M, et al. Influence of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation on Nutritional Status and Neural Plasticity: New Perspectives on Post-Stroke Neurorehabilitative Outcome. Nutrients. Dec 26 2022;15(1)doi:10.3390/nu15010108
  4. Mapoung S, Semmarath W, Arjsri P, et al. Comparative analysis of bioactive-phytochemical characteristics, antioxidants activities, and anti-inflammatory properties of selected black rice germ and bran (Oryza sativa L.) varieties. Eur Food Res Technol. 2023;249(2):451-464. doi:10.1007/s00217-022-04129-1
  5. Nam HH, Nan L, Choo BK. Anti-Inflammation and Protective Effects of Anethum graveolens L. (Dill Seeds) on Esophageal Mucosa Damages in Reflux Esophagitis-Induced Rats. Foods. Oct 18 2021;10(10)doi:10.3390/foods10102500
  6. Ohnon W, Wattanathorn J, Thukham-Mee W, Muchimapura S, Wannanon P, Tong-Un T. The Combined Extract of Black Sticky Rice and Dill Improves Poststroke Cognitive Impairment in Metabolic Syndrome Condition. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019;2019:9089035. doi:10.1155/2019/9089035
  7. Wattanathorn J, Ohnon W, Thukhammee W, Muchmapura S, Wannanon P, Tong-Un T. Cerebroprotective Effect against Cerebral Ischemia of the Combined Extract of Oryza sativa and Anethum graveolens in Metabolic Syndrome Rats. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019;2019:9658267. doi:10.1155/2019/9658267