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Tissue
Destruction Blocked By Natural Product From Amazon Rainforest
25
Oct 2007
As
edited by Joint-Pain-Forum.com
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®.
----------------------------
Article adapted by
www.Joint-Pain-Forum.com from original press release.
----------------------------
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."
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