Unigen Supporting Medical Plant Research Endeavors

LACEY, Wash.—Researchers utilizing Unigen’s PhytoLogix™ ethnomedicinal plant libraries recently developed two highly potent flavonoid formulas proven to convey topical anti-inflammatory effects. The botanicals, a catechin derived from the catechu tree and baicalin extracted from Chinese skullcap, were combined in two different formula ratios and evaluated for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The final catechin and baicalin formulas, UP566S and UP566U, demonstrated significant COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory effects.

Regan Miles, Unigen’s president and CEO, was impressed with the speed at which the team was able to develop their ideas. “They created the formulas rather rapidly due to the comprehensive data available through PhytoLogix,” he said. “We can access not only the chemical structure of a certain botanical, but also information about all of the plant’s traditional health uses too. We’re seeing this research build on itself exponentially every day.”

In additional news, Unigen announced a partnership with the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), Canada, marking the first step in a process of collecting marine organisms from the Atlantic Ocean, with an eye to screening the samples for creating therapeutic and commercial products. Unigen has been collecting plants and other organisms since 1997. However, the current project will be the first time the company has developed a marine collection. Researchers anticipate collecting a diverse range of marine organisms, all of which will provide a wealth of information that will lead to discoveries of new chemical entities and novel natural, therapeutic commercial products.

After collection, Unigen will apply natural-product chemistry to extract the collected marine organisms, and fractionate the extracts using a high-throughput purification system. The obtained marine extracts and fractions will be tested internally and externally on appropriate biological, biochemical, genomic, proteomic, in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo models. The active components will be separated and identified as leads for development of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical and functional food products.

For more information, visit www.UnigenPharma.com or Booth #22025 at SupplySide West.

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