The first report on the <em>in-vitro</em> HDAC inhibitory potential of Sri Lankan traditional rice varieties

The objective of this investigation is to study, for the first time, the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitory potentialof ethanol extracts obtained from selected traditional Sri Lankan rice varieties to highlight their biochemical significance. HDACs play a key role in epigenetic-mediated gene expression. Dysregulations in the expression and activity of HDACs are seen in a wide range of diseases. The ethanolic extracts of seven rice varieties demonstrated HDAC inhibitory effects in the order of Madathawalu > Pachchaperumal > Hangimuttan > Maa-wee > Kalu Heenati > Kurulu Thuda > Suwandel. Our findings support the use of Sri Lankan traditional rice varieties in epigenetic research. To fully elucidate the HDAC inhibitory effects of rice extracts, profiling the composition of secondary metabolites in active extracts is crucial. This preliminary investigation demonstrates that Sri Lankan rice varieties possess the potential to inhibit the activity of HDAC in vitro.