(Taiwan) Research showing increasing neural stem cell activity with PPLs brings hope for Alzheimer's cure, implications for memory enhancement :: BiotechEast - Taiwan and China biotechnology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, ^¤å½s×, ^¤å×§ï ::

(BiotechEast staff, with NatureWise Biotech & Medicals Corp.)

16 April, 2007
Early-stage study in Taipei, Taiwan, on PPLs--a group of prenylflavanone compounds--extracted from bee propolis specific to the island, has shown the compounds provide a boosting effect on the growth of neural stem cells. This research has exciting implications for neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Lou Gehrig's diseases, as well as in the study of memory enhancement.

A large number of neurons grew with the addition of one of the neurotrophic factors identified by NatureWise into the growth media.

Professor Lin Jen-kun of National Taiwan University Hospital, together with his students Dr. Wu Chia-li, and Dr. Chen Chia-nan, were the first to find that these PPls had cytotoxic properties against cancer cells. Further study by Chen, now head of research at Taipei-based NatureWise Biotech & Medicals Corp., additionally found the compounds to have a set of interesting neurotrophic effects, such as maintaining the survival of neural stem cells, promoting neuronal growth, lengthening of neurites, and inducing these stem cells to strongly differentiate into neurons.

NatureWise held a press event at the end of March in Taipei, Taiwan, to introduce an over-the-counter healthfood containing the propolis from which the PPLs were extracted along with other ingredients shown to have memory-boosting qualities, named 'IQBLESS.' While marketing the product in Taiwan, the company plans to continue researching the PPLs with the intent of eventually developing new drug forms for neurological disorders and memory enhancement.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Lai Gi-ming, associate investigator and attending physician, at the National Institute of Cancer Research, said that these PPLs have shown the effect of inducing neural stem cells in laboratory conditions to differentiate into neuron cells at about twice the rate as that of other well-known neurotrophic factors--60 percent compared to 30 percent. This may be due to the small size of PPLs compared to other neurotrophic factors, he claimed.

Chen added that the research team at NatureWise intends to collaborate with several universities and research institutes in Taiwan such as the Industrial Technology Research Insitute (ITRI), National Taiwan University Hospital, and Taipei Medical University, to continue towards commercializing these results.

President of NatureWise, Dr. CY Huang, announced at the event that 10 percent of revenue from IQBLESS would be donated by the company to the Genesis Social Welfare Foundation, a local healthcare charity, to help fund medical care of the elderly in Taiwan.

About NatureWise
NatureWise Biotech & Medicals Corp. is a Taiwan-based developer of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into modern pharmaceuticals. Founded in 2000, it has been a swift rise for one of Taiwan's most promising biotechnology companies; in less than a decade, the company has developed a pioneering cholesterol prescription medicine from an herbal compound, a promising technology focused on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, as well as a full range of herbal supplements.

(Left) NatureWise President Dr. CY Huang, and (right) R&D Director Dr. Chen Chia-nan.

A major focus of research has been on specific PPLs--a group of prenylflavanone compounds from A to H--which have been tested in vitro to increase the survival of neural stem cells, to promote neuronal growth with the lengthening of neurites, and to induce stem cells to differentiate into a high percentage of neurons unattainable by current existing technologies. This presents exciting possibilities for reversing devastating nerve disorders, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Lou Gehrig's diseases, or as an adjuvant to stem cell transplantation therapies.

NatureWise is particularly upbeat about two novel HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibitors called PPL G-GS002 and PPL B-OS05. They have shown to induce differentiations in rat glioma, human glioblastoma, breast cancer, and leukemia cells both in vitro and in vivo, offering them strong potential as anti-cancer drug candidates.

The company's LipoCol Forte, a TCM-derived product that treats cholesterol-related conditions (hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia), received the first New Drug Certificate of New Chinese Medicine issued by Taiwan's Department of Health. It is the first TCM drug to complete Phase III trials in accordance with GCP (Good Clinical Practice) in Taiwan, and can be prescribed by doctors of Western medicine as well as TCM doctors. In addition, NatureWise also markets a range of food supplements including LipoCol, a dietary supplement derived directly from its successful prescription drug. Other offerings focus on modulating immune regulation. One such supplement contains both Taiwanese Green Propolis, which boasts stronger antioxidant properties than even Brazilian propolis, and Radix Astragali, a Chinese compound that boosts immune system regulation.

NatureWise is looking to out-license its neural stem cell activity enhancement technologies, or find partners for further collaborative development into this exciting field of research. The company is also offering OEM or contract manufacturing in the areas of health foods or TCM products.

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