It is known that Vitamin E, traditionally known as α¬ tocopherol, is a mixture of eight different compounds, four tocopherols and four tocotrienols, each one being designated as α, β, γ and δ forms. The two groups differ in the hydrophobic tridecyl side chain which is saturated (phytyl) in tocopherols and unsaturated having three double bonds (geranyl) in tocotrienols. During the last few years, it has been found that all the eight forms are biologically active and perform specific functions. Clinical research has shown that mixture of tocotrienols and tocopherols offer synergistic protective action against heart ailments and cancer that is not exclusively offered by α¬tocopherol. The other advantage of mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols is their role in slowing down aging. Diseases like diabetes 1 and 2, autoimmune diseases, bacterial and viral infections, Alzheimer disease, fungal (Candida) infections are prevented by these compounds. It helps in the maintenance of bones, muscles, eyes (vision), memory, sleep, lungs, infertility, skin and wrinkles. Although all forms of Vitamin E exhibit antioxidant activity, it is known that the antioxidant activity of vitamin E is not sufficient to explain the vitamin's biological activity. Vitamin E's anti-atherogenic activity involves the inhibition of the oxidation of LDL and the accumulation of oxLDL in the arterial wall. Vitamin E's antithrombotic and anticoagulant activities involves the downregulation of the expression of intracellular cell adhesion molecule(ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule(VCAM)-1 that lowers the adhesion of blood components to the endothelium. Its antioxidant effects explain the neuroprotective effects of vitamin E. The immunomodulatory effects of Vitamin E have been demonstrated in vitro, where alpha-tocopherol increases mitogenic response of T lymphocytes from aged mice. The mechanism of this response by vitamin E is not well understood, however it has been suggested that vitamin E itself may have mitogenic activity independent of its antioxidant activity. The mechanism of action of vitamin E's antiviral effects (primarily against HIV-1) involves its antioxidant activity. Vitamin E reduces oxidative stress, which is thought to contribute to HIV-1 pathogenesis, as well as to the pathogenesis of other viral infections. Vitamin E also affects membrane integrity and fluidity and, since HIV-1 is a membraned virus, altering membrane fluidity of HIV-1 may interfere with its ability to bind to cell-receptor sites, thus decreasing its infectivity.

It is known that Vitamin E, traditionally known as α¬ tocopherol, is a mixture of eight different compounds, four tocopherols and four tocotrienols, each one being designated as α, β, γ and δ forms. The two groups differ in the hydrophobic tridecyl side chain which is saturated (phytyl) in tocopherols and unsaturated having three double bonds (geranyl) in tocotrienols. During the last few years, it has been found that all the eight forms are biologically active and perform specific functions. Clinical research has shown that mixture of tocotrienols and tocopherols offer synergistic protective action against heart ailments and cancer that is not exclusively offered by α¬tocopherol. The other advantage of mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols is their role in slowing down aging. Diseases like diabetes 1 and 2, autoimmune diseases, bacterial and viral infections, Alzheimer disease, fungal (Candida) infections are prevented by these compounds. It helps in the maintenance of bones, muscles, eyes (vision), memory, sleep, lungs, infertility, skin and wrinkles. Although all forms of Vitamin E exhibit antioxidant activity, it is known that the antioxidant activity of vitamin E is not sufficient to explain the vitamin's biological activity. Vitamin E's anti-atherogenic activity involves the inhibition of the oxidation of LDL and the accumulation of oxLDL in the arterial wall. Vitamin E's antithrombotic and anticoagulant activities involves the downregulation of the expression of intracellular cell adhesion molecule(ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule(VCAM)-1 that lowers the adhesion of blood components to the endothelium. Its antioxidant effects explain the neuroprotective effects of vitamin E. The immunomodulatory effects of Vitamin E have been demonstrated in vitro, where alpha-tocopherol increases mitogenic response of T lymphocytes from aged mice. The mechanism of this response by vitamin E is not well understood, however it has been suggested that vitamin E itself may have mitogenic activity independent of its antioxidant activity. The mechanism of action of vitamin E's antiviral effects (primarily against HIV-1) involves its antioxidant activity. Vitamin E reduces oxidative stress, which is thought to contribute to HIV-1 pathogenesis, as well as to the pathogenesis of other viral infections. Vitamin E also affects membrane integrity and fluidity and, since HIV-1 is a membraned virus, altering membrane fluidity of HIV-1 may interfere with its ability to bind to cell-receptor sites, thus decreasing its infectivity.