Marinova Newsletter

Ranvet partners with Marinova

Ranvet Australia is the acknowledged world leader in equine nutrition, supplements and veterinary medications. Ranvet’s esteemed reputation, earned throughout the race horse industry over more than half a century, is founded on their expertise in researching the science and specific needs of high performance horses.

Ranvet’s innovative approach and dedication to the wellbeing and nutritional requirements of race horses led them to Marinova. Ranvet initially expressed interest in investigating the ability of fucoidan to alleviate the digestive problems and high stress levels experienced by high performance racehorses. Animal studies conducted in 2011 at a leading Sydney thoroughbred racing stable indicated that fucoidan not only reduced the incidence of stomach ulcers in thoroughbred racehorses, but also improved appetite and assisted in maintaining general condition.

In early 2013, Ranvet launched Sea-5 Paste for horses – a feed supplement containing one of Marinova’s high purity organic fucoidan compounds. The success of this product encouraged Ranvet to enter into a long-term supply and development agreement with Marinova, which will enable both companies to develop the global equine nutrition market for fucoidan, as well as explore nutritional solutions for other animals prone to high levels of stress.

For more about Ranvet, please visit https://www.ranvet.com.au.

Fucoidan in the headlines

Fucoidan activity against oral carcinoma cells

Korean researchers have used a carcinoma cell line to examine how fucoidan causes apoptosis (programmed cell death) in a particular type of oral cancer called ‘mucoepidermoid carcinoma’.

The researchers evaluated the effects of fucoidan on the oral cancer cells and determined that fucoidan decreased cell proliferation and induced caspase-dependent apoptosis. In looking for markers that might suggest a mechanism for this effect, the researchers found that fucoidan down-regulated the phosphorylation of an extracellular signal-regulated kinase called ERK1/2. In addition, fucoidan significantly decreased the expression levels of a protein called myeloid cell leukemia-1.

The researchers concluded that fucoidan may be a promising agent for use in the treatment of this type of oral cancer.

Lee HE, Choi ES, Shin JA, Lee SO, Park KS, Cho NP, Cho SD. Fucoidan induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in MC3 human mucoepidermoid carcinoma cells. Exp Ther Med. 2014 Jan;7(1):228-232.

Fucoidan – new therapy for macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration is a degenerative ocular disease. The ‘wet’ form of this disease occurs when blood vessels grow into the retina, resulting in vision loss.

A protein called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is key to the growth of the blood vessels. Drugs that block this protein (called anti-VEGFs, such as bevacizumab) may be injected into the eye. Researchers in Germany investigated the effects of fucoidan on retinal cells and on perfused organ cultures.

In this in vitro study, fucoidan reduced the expression of the growth factor VEGF and limited angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels). Fucoidan was also effective in combination with bevacizumab. The authors concluded that fucoidan is a non-toxic agent that should be studied as a potential therapy for macular degeneration.

Dithmer M, Fuchs S, Shi Y, Schmidt H, Richert E, Roider J, Klettner A.PLoS One. Fucoidan reduces secretion and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the retinal pigment epithelium and reduces angiogenesis in vitro. 2014 Feb 18;9(2).

Fucoidan clears the tropical parasite Leishmaniasis

Previous research has suggested that orally delivered fucoidan was able to clear infectious Leishmaniasis parasites in a mouse model. Further research has now identified possible mechanisms for fucoidan’s anti-parasitic activity.

A recent study suggested that fucoidan induces activation of key cell signalling machinery, including the binding of ‘NF-κB’ DNA in both normal and Leishmania-infected macrophages.

Fucoidan also increased expression and activity of protein kinase C (PKC) in infected macrophages, increasing their antipathogenic activity. The researchers suggested that the curative effect of fucoidan works by PKC activation of cellular signalling pathways which in turn leads to the production of nitric oxide and disease-resolving cytokines.

Sharma G, Kar S, Basu Ball W, Ghosh K, Das PK. The curative effect of fucoidan on visceral leishmaniasis is mediated by activation of MAP kinases through specific protein kinase C isoforms. Cell Mol Immunol. 2014; 11(3): 263-274 

New regulatory listing for fucoidan

In a huge step forward for Australian sponsors wishing to include fucoidan as an active ingredient in new complementary medicines, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved ‘fucoidan’ as an Herbal Component Name (HCN).

The decision to accept the term fucoidan by the TGA, the government authority responsible for regulating medical drugs and devices, reflects the growing body of evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of this natural compound. The TGA previously recognised extracts of the Fucus vesiculosus and Undaria pinnatifida marine plants as listable ingredients. As a result of Marinova’s successful submission to the TGA, fucoidan - the key active ingredient from these extracts - can now be listed and quantified on ingredient panels.

The TGA’s decision paves the way for fucoidan to be separately identified on listable medicine labels. It is hoped that the identification and quantification of fucoidan on product labels will enable Australian consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions.

For Australian companies requiring assistance on the appropriate usage of fucoidan on ingredient panel labels, or for more information about how you can include Maritech® fucoidan in your formulation, please contact Marinova.

Maritech® Bright hits the spots

Marinova continues to establish the clinical efficacy of its bioactive cosmetic ingredients at very low inclusion rates. In a recent double blind, placebo-controlled clinical evaluation, Maritech® Bright reduced skin spots, brightened skin and reduced wrinkles at an inclusion rate of just 0.3%.

In this evaluation, 20 healthy female subjects applied the Maritech® Bright test cream to one half of their face and a placebo cream to the other half. The efficacy of both treatments was measured at 15, 30 and 60 days after application, using both instrumental analysis and clinical analysis carried out by a dermatologist.

Results showed that Maritech® Bright significantly decreased wrinkle depth and colour spot intensity. It also increased skin brightness. Furthermore, after using Maritech® Bright for 60 days, dermatological assessment confirmed that 45% of subjects showed improved wrinkle visibility, 60% of subjects showed reduced skin spot intensity and 50% of subjects showed improved skin brightness.

This data supports previous research which identified the potent multi-functional efficacy of Maritech® Bright in a wide range of cosmetic and skincare formulations. For details on Marinova’s skincare trials, or to find out more about the benefits of including Maritech® Bright in your cosmetic or skincare formulations, please contact us.

Fucoidan helping to diagnose aortic aneurysms

French researchers have pioneered a new fucoidan-based imaging tool for use in ‘single-photon emission computed tomography’ (SPECT) that can help diagnose abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), which are swelling of the abdominal aorta.  Non-invasive SPECT imaging relies on gamma rays emitted from a radioactive isotope attached to a specific sticky ‘ligand’. The compound is injected and then carried through the circulatory system until it binds to the marker of interest in the body, where it can be seen by a gamma-camera in the SPECT imaging machine.

The researchers used fucoidan as a sticky ligand for P-selectin, which is strongly expressed on platelets. Platelets accumulate at sites of injury and are particularly present in cardiovascular pathologies such as AAA. Early detection of AAA, needed for timely treatment, is currently limited by lack of technology.

The fucoidan was attached to very small microparticles, which were then labelled with radioactive technetium. After in vitro confirmation of effective labelling, the microparticles were injected into rats with an experimental aneurysm. The rats were imaged using SPECT, and clear images of the aneurysm were obtained.

This research has led to the development of a very useful marker for the aneurysms using non-invasive SPECT imaging. The inclusion of a targeted drug molecule for delivery into the aneurysm was proposed and it is hoped that the research will lead to use as a clinical diagnostic aid.

Bonnard T, Yang G, Petiet A, Ollivier V, Haddad O, Arnaud D, Louedec L, Bachelet-Violette L, Derkaoui SM, Letourneur D, Chauvierre C, Le Visage C. Abdominal aortic aneurysms targeted by functionalized polysaccharide microparticles: a new tool for SPECT imaging. Theranostics. 2014 ;4(6):592-603

Marinova wins cosmetic research award

At the recent Australian Society of Cosmetics Chemists conference held in Victoria, Marinova’s Chief Scientist, Dr Helen Fitton, won the esteemed Jack Jacobs Memorial Trophy for her paper on Marinova’s cosmetic research. The award was given for the presentation which best demonstrates originality, scientific contribution and relevance to the cosmetics industry.

Dr Fitton’s paper, Clinically Proven Cosmetic Benefits of Fucoidan Extracts, covered groundbreaking data on Marinova’s cosmetic ingredients and their anti-aging, protective, soothing and brightening properties.

This achievement is testament to the mounting body of evidence supporting the remarkable potential of Marinova’s fucoidan products in cosmetic applications. Marinova has dedicated half the prize proceeds to the Leukaemia Foundation.

Supporting the Leukaemia Foundation

It is with great pleasure that Marinova announces it has nominated the Leukaemia Foundation as its ‘charity of choice’ for 2014. Marinova will be conducting a range of fundraising activities and events throughout the year, and all proceeds will be donated to this deserving charity.

The Leukaemia Foundation is Australia's peak body for blood cancer, funding research and providing free services to support people with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders, and their families.  The Foundation has an unwavering focus on reducing the impact of blood cancer and related blood disorders by providing free practical and emotional support, and funding research to improve treatments and find cures. Their work also includes raising awareness of the impact of blood cancer within the community, advocacy, and contributing to the international blood cancer sector to improve quality of life for individuals affected by blood cancer and their families.

Marinova can attest to the exceptional work undertaken by the Leukaemia Foundation and we strongly encourage other businesses that are serious about their corporate responsibilities to make a financial contribution to this organisation. For more information on the Leukaemia Foundation please see http://www.leukaemia.org.au.