This technology is a method for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with plant-derived, bioactive compounds that serve as potent anti-inflammatories.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex lung disease characterized by irreversible airflow obstruction due to chronic inflammation. COPD includes chronic obstructive bronchiolitis (fibrosis and obstruction of small airways) and emphysema (permanent enlargement of the airspaces distal to the terminal bronchioles accompanied by destruction of lung parenchyma). COPD is considered steroid-resistant and currently there are no therapeutics that effectively halt the progression of COPD aside from lung transplants. As such, there is a substantial need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory therapeutics for treating COPD.
This technology is a method for treating COPD with plant-derived, bioactive despides and anthocyanin compounds that reduce inflammation. These bioactive compounds effectively reduce cellular cytokine levels, including interleukin 8 (IL-8), which has been implicated in a wide range of chronic inflammatory conditions. Despides and anthocyanin compounds can be synthesized or isolated from a common and readily available Brazilian medicinal plant, the jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora). Given the potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of these compounds, this technology offers an effective method for treating steroid-resistant COPD.
This technology has been validated in a model of lung epithelial inflammation, where it successfully reduced the inflammatory chemokine IL-8.
Jeanine D’Armiento, M.D., Ph.D.
Patent Issued (US 8,846,757)
IR 1999
Licensing Contact: Sara Gusik