Lacey, WA – Researchers utilizing one of the world’s largest 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 then evaluated for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The impressive findings1 were shared at the annual meeting of The Society for Investigative Dermatology in May.
The formulas are the final result of screening through the PhytoLogix® library at UNIGEN® USA, a leading natural products research and development company and proprietary ingredients supplier. Utilizing PhytoLogix, researchers screened over 1,230 organic plant extracts for potential COX-2 inhibition. The final catechin and baicalin formulas, UP566S and UP566U, demonstrated significant COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory effects. In an in vitro test using human cells, UP566U was far more effective than Ibuprofen in acting as a LOX (5-lipoxygenase) pathway inhibitor.
“These two compounds offer multiple anti-inflammatory properties. They are a completely natural and safe approach to dealing with topical inflammation,” commented Dr. Qi Jia, Chief Scientific Officer at UNIGEN. Dr. Jia explained that the UP566
compounds demonstrated an ability to suppress the gene expression of key pro-inflammatory cytokines, and UP566S also showed antioxidant activity almost four times more powerful than vitamin C, based on ORAC test results. In a human trial, both topicals also tested negative for any skin irritation or photosensitivity.
The Company’s President and CEO, Regan Miles, 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,” said Miles. “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.”
1 Y Zhao, Q Jia, M Hong, J Zhao, T O’Reilly, W Ma and P Abeysinghe. A flavonoid composition regulates the COX/LOX pathways and cytokine gene expression: a potential ingredient for topical inflammation. 68th Annual Meeting. The Society for Investigative Dermatology. Los Angeles, CA; May 9-12, 2007.