FAQ: Benefits of Palm Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction in Osteoarthritis Management
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INFLAMMATION and oxidative stress are key contributors to joint degeneration in OA (Ansari et al. 2020). Palm tocotrienols, a potent form of vitamin E, have shown promise in protecting joint health due to their powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Emerging research suggests that tocotrienols may influence metabolic processes involved in inflammation, offering a broader protective effect on the joint environment. With their multi-faceted biological activity, palm tocotrienols may contribute to preserving cartilage, easing joint stiffness, and supporting overall joint function – especially when used as part of a holistic approach to osteoarthritis care.
Tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) is a natural full-spectrum vitamin E complex extracted from Malaysian palm fruit oil, retaining essential phytonutrients that have shown potential in supporting joint structure and function in preclinical studies.
Yes. A preclinical study conducted by the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), investigated the effects of TRF on rats with induced osteoarthritis. The joint-protective effects of palm TRF have been demonstrated in vivo using a well-established rat model of OA (monosodium iodoacetate-induced):
A preclinical study (Al-Saadi 2021) found that supplementation with TRF significantly improved grip strength and reduced levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) – a biomarker associated with cartilage damage. These findings indicate that tocotrienols may help preserve cartilage integrity and improve joint function. Furthermore, a serum metabolomics study (Ekeuku et al. 2023) revealed that TRF supplementation helped normalise disrupted amino acid metabolism, particularly involving branched-chain and aromatic amino acids such as phenylalanine, tryptophan, arginine, and proline. These metabolites are often elevated in OA and are linked to joint inflammation and oxidative stress. By restoring metabolic balance, TRF may contribute to slowing disease progression and improving joint homeostasis.
In these studies, both TRF and glucosamine demonstrated a profound improvement in grip strength compared to either treatment alone, suggesting a synergistic effect on joint function and potentially pain perception. The enhanced functional outcome in the combination group highlights the added value of using both agents together. The metabolomic study further supported these findings, showing that the combination treatment produced a metabolic profile closest to that of healthy rats.
In this animal model of osteoarthritis, the combination of TRF and glucosamine demonstrated potential for faster symptom improvement and enhanced protection of joint structure, supporting its relevance for future clinical research.
In the UKM study, the supplementation period was four weeks, during which measurable improvements in grip strength and joint biomarker levels were observed. While this indicates a promising start, longer-term use may be needed for more complete healing or cartilage regeneration. As with most nutraceuticals, consistent usage over time is key to experiencing full benefits.
EVNol™ is a full-spectrum palm tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) extracted from Malaysian palm fruit oil. Unlike regular vitamin E supplements that usually contain only alpha-tocopherol, EVNol™ naturally retains a full spectrum of tocotrienols including:
- Alpha-tocotrienol
- Beta-tocotrienol
- Gamma-tocotrienol
- Delta-tocotrienol
- Also contains alpha-tocopherol
- Plus other phytonutrients
The promising findings from this animal model, where EVNol™ TRF combined with glucosamine demonstrated faster symptom improvement and preserved joint integrity, have laid the groundwork for the next phase of investigation: clinical translation.
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References
i. Ansari, M. Y., Ahmad, N., & Haqqi, T. M. (2020). Oxidative stress and inflammation in osteoarthritis pathogenesis: Role of polyphenols. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy, 129, 110452. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110452
ii. Al-Saadi, H. M., Chin, K. Y., Ahmad, F. et al. (2021). Effects of palm tocotrienol-rich fraction alone or in combination with glucosamine sulphate on grip strength, cartilage structure and joint remodelling markers in a rat model of osteoarthritis. Applied Sciences, 11(18), 8577. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11188577
iii. Ekeuku, S. O., Tan, J. K., Al-Saadi, H. M. et al. (2023). Serum Metabolomic Alteration in Rats with Osteoarthritis Treated with Palm Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction Alone or in Combination with Glucosamine Sulphate. Life, 13(12), 2343. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13122343
