BioBran. BioBran (Daiwa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) is the product of a proprietary reaction (hydrolysis) between enzymes from Shiitake mushrooms and the hemicelluloses of pure rice bran. This process results in a final molecule that is smaller in weight than the original and possesses an enhanced ability to signal the immune system into action. The main biochemical structure of BioBran is an arabinoxylan (a polysaccharide complex) with a xylose in its main chain and an arabinose polymer in its side chain.

The vast majority of research conducted on BioBran for the last 25+ years has in some way been related to cancer. Scientists from around the world have investigated the effect of BioBran on specific cancer cell lines in vitro (or in cultured media), in animals (called pre-clinical trials), and in humans (both in clinical trials and in anecdotal case reports). BioBran has been shown to have several different mechanisms of action over the course of these studies, e.g., (1) increases in cellular apoptosis, or normal programmed death, of diseased cells, (2) greater survivability of healthy cells, (3) antioxidant, (4) anti-inflammation, and (5) immunomodulation. Immunomodulation is defined as the response of the immune system to a substance (in this case, BioBran) by the augmentation or reduction of the activation of specialized cells or antibodies and other specific modifications of the body’s physiology. BioBran has been shown to cause immunomodulation in multiple studies by activating several different components of the immune system, such as improving the activation and production of natural killer cells and dendritic cells and by affecting the production of cytokines and growth factors, such as increasing the level of interferon-2 and lowering the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and vascular endothelial growth factor. Natural killer cells are part of our main line of defense against previously normal cells that have been transformed by viruses and by malignant (i.e., cancerous) progression. Dendritic cells are important for both parts of the immune system (innate and adaptive) because they interact with cells from both parts, including T cells and natural killer cells. Natural killer cells and dendritic cells also interact with one another to promote natural killer cell activation, which is dependent on the ratio between the two. Inflammatory markers, such as interferon-2 and tumor necrosis factor-α, are important indicators of our overall state of health, as inflammation is now known to be a hallmark of chronic disease, particularly cancers, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, among others. In addition to all of its amazing effects, BioBran is also notable for being completely safe, having no or very minimal toxicity, can be taken with any other dietary supplements and/or medications, and does not exhibit hyporesponsiveness, which means that its effects do not diminish over time.

BiAloe®. BiAloe® (Lorand Laboratories LLC, Houston, Texas) is made in a proprietary process using low heat from Aloe vera Linnaeus (Aloe barbadensis Miller), the aloe species out of about 400 that has been used by humans for thousands of years and the one more recently studied scientifically for its many health benefits. Compared to other aloe vera products, BiAloe® has two main features related to its nutritional constituents: (1) its acemannan is the highest total amount, the most immunomodulatory, and the most bioavailable and (2) the polysaccharides are full spectrum molecular weights and are the highest content, thus enhancing its overall immunomodulatory activity. BiAloe® also contains almost no aloin, which has strong laxative effects and would be found in many liquid aloe vera products. Acemannan (i.e., β-(1, 4)-acetylated polymannose) is the major polysaccharide in Aloe vera Linnaeus. As a polysaccharide, acemannan is composed of 31 β-(1, 4)-linked mannoses, 1 β-(1, 4)-linked glucose, and 1 α-(1, 6)-linked galactose.

Acemannan and the aloe polysaccharides have been shown to have significant beneficial therapeutic effects, such as wound healing, immunomodulation, and antineoplastic. In fact, the would-healing action has been so significant that the FDA has approved treatment protocols using aloe for managing wounds and alveolar osteitis (i.e., dry socket after a pulled tooth). Acemannan speeds the rate of healing by several mechanisms, including increasing collagen synthesis and the rate of epithelization, which is the part of the healing process that creates the new barrier where the wound was formerly. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and a significant part of the skin, connective tissues, and muscles. Acemannan also improves bone mineralization, increases bone marrow stem cells, and proliferates other growth factors that are necessary for bone health and counteracting periodontal disease. Acemannan and the aloe polysaccharides are also potent immunomodulators by increasing white blood cell, macrophage, and T cell numbers. The beneficial effects of wound healing and immunomodulation may be due to the activation of macrophages. Acemannan causes the release of nitric oxide, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α by macrophages, which stimulates an increase of up to 300% in the replication of fibroblasts in tissue culture and enhances macrophage phagocytosis, which is the process of removing pathogens and cell debris. Acemannan causes the maturation of dendritic cells, which is also important for wound healing. Acemannan has been shown to be anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral by blocking bacterial binding, upregulating phagocytosis, and inhibiting viral replication and infectivity, respectively. Acemannan has been found to counteract cancer through several mechanisms, such as macrophage activation and the release of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1, and interferon gamma. Acemannan may benefit those people with pre-diabetes or diabetes, as it was found to lower significantly blood levels of fasting glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) without any adverse effects on liver or kidney function in people with type 2 diabetes. Finally, almost all studies show aloe vera products to be completely safe, particularly those without aloin or other anthraquinone-containing latex derivatives, such as BiAloe®. Large doses of aloe vera gel have been administered to humans and other animals without evidence of toxicity. Furthermore, animals have been given massive doses of aloe vera without causing toxicity or death.

BiAloe® is the key ingredient in Daily Brain Care, which was used in a study conducted at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The study showed that people with moderate to severe memory disorder and cognitive dysfunction had clinically and statistically significant improvements in cognitive function, overall immune function, inflammation, and adult stem cell production after 12 months of taking Daily Brain Care.

Summary. The primary distinctions between BioBran and BiAloe® are their source material and their primary type of polysaccharide; the former comes from rice bran (with a xylose in its main chain and an arabinose polymer in its side chain) and the latter comes from the gel of Aloe vera Linnaeus (acemannan that is composed of 31 mannoses, 1 glucose, and 1 galactose). Both are produced by their manufacturers with proprietary processing methods and are considered to be the industry leaders in the respective product category of overall immune system support. BioBran has mostly been studied within the context of cancer, although more recently it was studied for its effects in healthy adults and in patients with HIV and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It has been primarily found to enhance the function of the immune system, particularly through the concept of immunomodulation. It significantly improves the functioning of the natural killer cells and dendritic cells, both of which are very important for the overall health and function of the immune system. BioBran also has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects as well.

In addition to support for the immune system, BiAloe® with acemannan has been shown to have a wider variety of documented effects compared to BioBran, such as in the areas of: (1) wound healing from burns, bone loss, and periodontal disease; (2) anti-microbes, such as bacteria, fungus, and virus; and (3) glycaemia with its ability to lower blood glucose and HbA1c. BiAloe® is also the main ingredient in Daily Brain Care, which was used in the study at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine showing significant cognitive function and immune system benefits. Thus, BiAloe® with acemannan has broader documented benefits, whereas BioBran has more scientific investigation in a narrower scope, i.e., immunomodulation and enhancement of the immune system.