Natural product discovery by Cleveland medical researchers blocks tissue destructionOctober 25, 2007Findings published in prestigious Journal of Inflammation CLEVELAND - Scientists at Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine have published in the Journal of Inflammation a remarkable discovery with a natural product derived from the Amazon rainforest. The discovery's unique actions suggest a broad set of applications in various joint, skin and gastrointestinal diseases, including osteoarthritis and irritable bowel syndrome. The publication revealed that Progrado®, an extract from a rainforest tree called Croton palanostigma, was a remarkably potent antioxidant and prevented the destruction of human cartilage by molecular s scissors called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). According to the researchers, these enzymes cut collagen, which forms the backbone of the cartilage, into tiny pieces during states of inflammation and alter the fabric that holds tissues together. "This is an exciting finding," said Tariq Haqqi, professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals of Cleveland and the lead investigator and senior author of the study. "This is the first time a natural product has been shown to directly block these molecular scissors while showing potential to stimulate repair. This is a testament to the wound healing properties of this traditional medicine and the distinctive therapeutic opportunities that nature offers." Haqqi's research partner, Rainforest Nutritionals Inc., of Raleigh, N.C., develops innovative therapeutics from natural products and worked with the university on the discovery of Progrado®. Rainforest Nutritionals, along with Haqqi, also developed Reparagen®, a natural product for joint health, with a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which also awarded the company with an Innovation Research Award to foster Reparagen's® development and commercialization. Paul Bobrowski, co-author of the study and vice president of Rainforest Nutritionals, said Progrado's® molecular targets are highly prized and could lead to a range of therapeutic innovations for conditions ranging from arthritis, irritable bowel disease and wrinkles based on their involvement in tissue injury/repair and aging. "The publication of these results reflects the commitment that Rainforest Nutritionals has to scientific excellence and innovation using products derived from nature to promote health and an improved quality of life," Bobrowski said. "These results also build on our success with the highly-effective natural product for joint health, Reparagen®, with our NIH-funded preclinical research performed in collaboration with Dr. Haqqi." Case Western Reserve University |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Related Tissue Destruction Current Events and Tissue Destruction News Articles New trigger for chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis discovered A signal molecule made by the human body that triggers the immune system into action may be important in rheumatoid arthritis. Early exposure to tobacco smoke may lead to early emphysema later Chronic exposure to tobacco smoke in childhood may contribute to early emphysema later in life, according to new research. Sublingual immunotherapy for inhalant allergies deserves deeper consideration Sublingual immunotherapy for the treatment of allergy symptoms caused by a wide variety of environmental inhalants has been effectively used in Europe. Resolvins have the potential to resolve periodontal inflammation and restore tissue health Periodontal (gum) disease is a chronic inflammation initiated by bacteria that affect the gums and bone supporting the teeth, and may eventually result in tissue and tooth loss. Shades of 1918? New study compares avian flu with a notorious killer from the past In the waning months of the First World War, a lethal virus known as the Spanish flu (influenza A, subtype H1N1), swept the United States, Europe and Asia in three convulsive waves. Rodent study shows that chronic drinking can lead to severe pneumonia after surgery People who drink often have immune-function problems following surgery. For example, patients who consume alcohol long-term have a two- to five-fold greater chance of post-operation infection complications. The most important candidate genes for pancreatic stone formation Stone formation is an important feature of chronic pancreatitis, especially tropical calcific pancreatitis (TCP), where the stones are large in size, highly irregular in shape and cause enormous tissue destruction. Cryoablation is a safe procedure for breast cancer patients, early results indicate Ultrasound-guided cryoablation of small breast cancer may be a safe procedure associated with minimal morbidity and high patient satisfaction. New NIAID program aims to model immune responses and key infectious diseases A new program at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aims to better understand the complex biochemical networks that regulate the interactions between infectious organisms and the human or animal cells they infect. Bronchial thermoplasty offers significant improvement for asthmatics in small study Asthmatic patients showed significant improvement in peak expiratory flow, airway responsiveness and number of symptom-free days after treatment with bronchial thermoplasty, a new procedure designed to reduce the ability of airway smooth muscle to narrow from inflammation. More Tissue Destruction Current Events and Tissue Destruction News Articles |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||