Quantitation of Polydeoxyribonucletides (PDRNs) in Human Placental Extract by Fluorescence Spectroscopy Using Ethidium Bromide

Chakraborty, P.D., Goswami, S., Bera, S. and Mukhopadhyay, I. (2014) Quantitation of Polydeoxyribonucletides (PDRNs) in Human Placental Extract by Fluorescence Spectroscopy Using Ethidium Bromide. American Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 5, 784-795. doi: 10.4236/ajac.2014.512087.

Author(s)

Piyali Datta Chakraborty1*, Sutapa Goswami1, Sudipta Bera1, Indranil Mukhopadhyay2

1Department of Research and Development, Albert David Ltd., Kolkata, India

2Department of Human Genetics, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, India

ABSTRACT

Characterization of an aqueous extract of human placenta, used as a licensed drug for wound healing, leads to the identification of several bioactive components including polydeoxyribonu-cleotides (PDRNs). PDRNs are mixture of DNA fragments of different molecular weight. A spectro-fluorimetric method of quantitation of PDRNs in the aqueous extract of human placenta by using ethidium bromide (EtBr) has been described here. It has been demonstrated by thin layer chromatography (TLC) followed by reversed phase HPLC that EtBr binds specifically with the PDRN fraction of the multi-component extract. The binding specificity of EtBr has been verified by the analysis of emission spectra of the extract. A concentration of 0.29 μg/ml EtBr exhibits a linear range of standard CT-DNA from 0.5 - 5 μg/ml of buffer (R² = 0.992). The same concentration of EtBr shows a linear range of measurements of placenta extract from 5 - 35 μl/ml of buffer (R² = 0.976). The points of the curve were the average of three sets where maximum variation observed was ±3%. PDRN content of the extract has been estimated based on the resultant fluorescence emission (after background correction) with respect to the standard calibration curve of calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA). Estimation of PDRN in a large number of batches of placenta extract (n = 100) has been done. The statistical analysis of the estimation was found to be significant and the lower and upper levels of PDRN were 158.30 and 239.03 μg/ml of the extract respectively. This easy-to-use method of estimation of PDRN in multi-component biological extract is reported for the first time. This will help in quantitation of PDRNs for other biological extracts.

Courtesy:

American Journal of Analytical Chemistry (AJAC) Vol.5 No.12 2014
You may download the full article in PDF format from this link. 

Public perspectives on the utilization of human placentas in scientific research and medicine

Yoshizawa RS.

Source

Centre for Research on Reproductive Health of Campinas (CEMICAMP), University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: rebeccayoshizawa@gmail.com.

Abstract

Placental tissues are frequently utilized by scientists studying pregnancy and reproduction and in diverse fields including immunology, stem cell research, genetics, cancer research, and tissue engineering, as well as by clinicians in many therapies. Though the utilization of the human placenta in science and medicine has benefitted many people, little is known about public perspectives of this phenomenon. This review addresses placental donation, collection, and utilization in science and medicine, focusing on public perspectives. Cultural values and traditions, ethical paradigms and concerns, public understandings of science and medicine, and political considerations may impact perceptions of the utilization of the placenta in science and medicine, but systematic study is lacking. It is argued that knowledge of public views gained from empirical investigation may underpin the development of collection protocols and research projects that are more responsive to public will, spur more extensive utilization in science and medicine of this unique organ, and/or aid in the realization of the mobilization of knowledge about the placenta for clinical and educational ends. New avenues for research on public perspectives of the placenta are proposed.

Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PMID:

 

23182956

 

[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Courtesy: PubMed

Recent Advances in Research on the Human Placenta

Recently INTECH has published an online book "Recent Advances in Research on the Human Placenta" which provides a comprehensive and updated overview of the human placenta in current scenario. Interested readers can read it online or may download the book (in pdf format) - its free and no registration required.

This book contains the total of 19 chapters, each of which is written by one or several experts in the corresponding field. The objective of this book is to provide a comprehensive and most updated overview of the human placenta, including current advances and future directions in the early detection, recognition, and management of placental abnormalities as well as the most common placental structure and functions, abnormalities, toxicology, infections, and pathologies. It also includes a highly controversial topic, therapeutic applications of the human placenta. A collection of articles presented by active investigators provides a clear update in the area of placental research for medical students, nurse practitioners, practicing clinicians, and biomedical researchers in the fields of obstetrics, pediatrics, family practice, genetics, and others who may be interested in human placentas.

EDITOR
Dr. Jing Zheng
SUBJECT
Obstetrics and Gynecology
PUBLISHER
InTech, March, 2012
ISBN
978-953-51-0194-9,
Hard cover, 428 pages


The Indian scientists Piyali Datta Chakraborty and Debasish Bhattacharyya have also contributed in this book with their work "Aqueous Extract of Human Placenta as a therapeutic-agent" (Chapter 4).


For Further details, refer to:

• Recent Advances in Research on the Human Placenta
• Aqueous Extract of Human Placenta

Courtesy:

INTECH

KFDA requests for the study of HPE role on Fatigue recovery

For the readers of this blog we have come up with the following study recently conducted by a Korean team on the efficacy and safety of Human Placental Extract solution on fatigue. Fatigue is a common symptom, but only a few effective treatments are available. This study was supported by a grant from Unimed Pharm., INC. and was conducted at the requests of the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA).

                                                                                                                                  

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 130875, 6 pages
doi:10.1155/2012/130875

Research Article

Efficacy and Safety of Human Placental Extract Solution on Fatigue: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

Kang-Kon Lee,¹ Whan-Seok Choi,^1,2 Keun-Sang Yum,¹ Sang-Wook Song,¹ Sun-Myeong Ock,¹ Sat-Byul Park,³ and Moon-Jong Kim⁴

¹Department of Family Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea School of Medicine, Seocho-gu 137-701, Republic of Korea²Department of Family Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, 505 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu 137-701, Republic of Korea³Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 443-721, Republic of Korea

⁴Department of Family Medicine, Pundang CHA General Hospital, College of Medicine, Pochun Chung-mun University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea


Received 24 May 2011; Revised 28 July 2011; Accepted 30 July 2011
Academic Editor: Pradeep Visen
Copyright © 2012 Kang-Kon Lee et al. 


Abstract
Introduction:
Fatigue is a common symptom, but only a few effective treatments are available. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of the human placental extract solution, which has been known to have a fatigue recovery effect. 

Methods:

A total of 315 subjects were randomly assigned to three groups: group 1 (with Unicenta solution administration), group 2 (with exclusively human placental extract administration, excluding other ingredients from the Unicenta solution), and the placebo group. Subsequently, solutions were administered for four weeks. 

Results:

The fatigue recovery rate was 71.00% in group 1, 71.72% in group 2, and 44.21% in the placebo group, which show statistically significant differences between the group 1 and the placebo group (P value = 0.0002), and between group 2 and the placebo group (P value = 0.0001). 

Conclusion:

The oral human placental extract was effective in the improvement of fatigue. The adverse event frequency in the experimental groups was similar to that in the placebo group.

It is likely that more comprehensive results that can address the limitations of this study can be obtained if a study that has a sufficient period of study process and precisely classifies the subjects’ ages and degrees of fatigue is conducted.

Citation:
Kang-Kon Lee, Whan-Seok Choi, Keun-Sang Yum, et al., “Efficacy and Safety of Human Placental Extract Solution on Fatigue: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2012, Article ID 130875, 6 pages, 2012. doi:10.1155/2012/130875


Read the full article here

Courtesy:

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of human placenta extract

The research fellows at Sungkyunkwan University, Korea came up with this study on Laennec Inj., an injection from human placental extract.We share the abstract of this study with our readers, and acknowledge the courtesy towards PubMed and the research fellows of this study team.

TOPIC: Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of human placenta extract

By: Lee KH, Kim TH, Lee WC, Kim SH, Lee SY, Lee SM.

a School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University , Suwon , Gyeonggi-do , Korea.

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effects of human placenta extract (HPE, Laennec inj.) on pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators secreted from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. We found that HPE significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide, tumour necrosis factor-α and cyclooxygenase-2. We studied the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of HPE in murine models of inflammation/inflammatory pain. Rats were assigned to six groups and were administered either saline or HPE (0.33, 1, 3 and 6 mL kg(-1)) intraperitoneally. Diclofenac was used as a positive control. HPE attenuated the swelling of the rat's hind paw. The vascular permeability induced by acetic acid was significantly reduced by HPE. HPE reduced the formation of granuloma in carrageenan air pouch and hind paw oedema in complete Freund's adjuvant-induced chronic arthritis in rats. HPE attenuated writhing episodes. An increase in hot-plate latency was observed in mice receiving HPE. HPE also increased the pain threshold in the Randall-Selitto test. In the tail-flick assay, HPE prolonged the reaction time of rats to radiant heat stimulation. These results suggest that HPE has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities.

PMID: 21726131 [PubMed - in process]

Courtesy: PubMed

HPE for the treatment of Vitiligo - A study from Cuba

According to the Cuban doctor Carlos Manuel Miyares Cao and his team placental alcohol extracts with calcium added can be very effective and innocuous for the vitiligo treatment. HPE Blog shares this team's study with the readers.

"Efectividad de un extracto de placenta humana con Calcio (Melagenina Plus) en el tratamiento del Vitiligo"

Title: Effectiveness of a Human Placental Extract with Calcium (Melagenina Plus) for the treatment of Vitiligo 

By: Dr. Carlos Manuel Miyares Cao; MSc.Ileana Hollands Barca;Dr. Ernesto Miyares Díaz; Dr. Abel Pernas González

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Human placental alcohol extract have been successfully used on melanogenesis and melanocyte proliferation. Such extracts cause an increase in the number of melanocytes and melanin granules when applied topically on the ears and tails of black mice. Objectives: Assessment of the effectiveness of a human placental alcohol extract with calcium (Melagenina Plus) for the treatment of vitiligo, since this disease is characterized by melanocyte loss and consequently of melanine pigment. Material and methods: A retrospective study was carried out with 300 cuban vitiligo patients which were chosen because of their correct application on their depigmented areas of the human placental alcohol extract with calcium. Patients selection was made among those involved in the treatment with Melagenina Plus from the Clinical Service of the Placental Histotherapy Center since 1998 to 2003. Results: At the end of the study, 231 patients showed total or marked repigmentation, 28 moderate repigmentation, 24 no repigmentation and 17 new lesions. 

Conclusions: 

Results demonstrate that placental alcohol extracts with calcium added can be very effective and innocuous for the vitiligo treatment.

To read the complete article click below the "read more" link.
Courtesy: Revista Cubana de Investigaciones Biomédicas

Wound healing activity of human placental extract in rats

The readers can go through the study on wound healing activity of human placental extract (HPE) in rats which was conducted in Calcutta, India and was submitted at Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Courtesy & Published Article Link: http://www.chinaphar.com/1671-4083/22/1113.pdf

University of South California (USC) Research Shows Critical Role of Human Placenta in Brain Development and may harbour cure for heart disease

For many the human placenta is just a passive organ, but it has significant synthetic capabilities and has a much more critical role than usually thought. Recently the researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California's (USC) Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute have come up with the groundbreaking findings. We at HPE blog wish to share this news esp. with our Indian and oriental readers as what’s happening in West.

We are reproducing it from the Zee News, and would request readers to visit the site of University of Southern California (USC) for more details. For this please refer to the links provided at the end of this post.

The effect of aqueous extract of human placenta in reducing side effects of radiation in patients of Cervical Carcinoma - A Study at radiotherapy review room, IRCH, AIIMS

The study on human placental extract's effect as placental solution dressing on skin of patients of cervical carcinoma was done at Department of Radiotherapy, Institute of Rotary Cancer Hospital, AIIMS, New Delhi. The abstract of the same could be found at the Indian Medlars Centre - medIND - the One point resource of peer reviewed Indian biomedical literature. 

Placenta Power by Dr. Kentaro Yoshida, Japan - Complete Version

An excellent book on Human Placental Extract by Dr. Kentaro Yoshida, Japan. This book is especially for the people who are non-technical on this subject and wants to have a first hand information on Placenta and Human Placental Extract Therapy. All rights of the book is reserved with Dr. Kentaro Yoshida, and its been uploaded here for the general awareness on this subject and could serve as a simple guide to placenta, and  the benefits of Human Placenta Extract.

List of studies on the rationality of Placentrex Therapy

By Swapan Das, Calcutta
An aqueous extract of human placenta is said to have potent therapeutic potential. In India, this extract is sold under the trade name ‘Placentrex’, manufactured by the sole proprietor Albert David Ltd, Kolkata, India. In India the extensive research on human placental extract is done by Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata, a unit of CSIR, India.

So, we thought to come up with a List of Publications on ‘Placentrex’ from IICB in reputed international and national journals to showcase the kind of research work has been done on 'Placentrex' by IICB. The interested readers may further visit the referred links to read about these research works. 

Human Placental Extract - Research Articles & Clinical Trials

By Swapan Das, Calcutta

The purpose of this post is to highlight the kind of research work and clinical trials in the entire world is going on Human Placental Extract. For this we have taken taken a few resources mainly from the sites who are reliable for legitimate studies like : 

Entrez Pubmed

Science Link Japan

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology (IJEB)

National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR) - India

The copyright of all these research work and articles are with the respective owners, and this site is providing mostly only "abstract" of their published work. And we suggest the readers to visit the respective sites (original links provided in all the individual posts on these articles) to explore more........... 

And yes, if you are a research fellow on this domain or have interests in HPE and are aware of any such article(s) which can be reproduced here for the sake of information sharing, do let us know, so that we can incorporate the same. We will appropriately acknowledge your contribution here. Click any of the following respective topic (hyper-linked) to read about it:

Placenta extract promote liver regeneration in CCl(4)-injured liver rat model (2010, South Korea)

Comparative Evaluation of Human Placental Extract for its Healing Potential in Surgical Wounds (India)

Protective Effects of Human Placental Extract on cartilage degradation in experimental osteoarthritis (2010, Korea)

Placental extract could be used as a new component for culture of adult stem cells (2010, South Korea)

Human Placenta for stem cell transportation (2009, USA)

HPE - anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet aggregatory activity (India, 2003)

Healing potential in surgical wounds (2008, India)

Clinical assessment of injecting human placental extract into acupuncture points (Japan)

The effect of human placenta extract in a wound healing model (2009. India)

Human aqueous placental extract as a wound healer

Vitiligo - Therapeutic potential of Human Placental Extract (2002, India)

Anti-inflammatory effect of human placental extract: a biochemical mechanistic approach (India, 1992)

Clinical Efficacy of Human Placental Extract (JBP Plamon®) in Women with Climacteric Symptoms (2007, Korea)

HPE offers protection against experimental visceral leishmaniasis (2008, India)

Placenta in Wound Healing – Compounds of which May Help (2005, 2009, India)

Effect of Placentrex on tubal blockage and menstrual irregularities (India,1976)

Clinical evaluation of human placental extract (placentrex) in radiation-induced oral mucositis (India, 2002)

Inj. placentrex in treatment of PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) (2008, India)

Clinical efficacy of placentrex injection in pelvic inflammatory disease (2010, India)

Cell adhesion by aqueous extract of human placenta used as wound healer (2007, India)

Effect of human placental extract on menopausal symptoms, fatigue, and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in middle-aged Korean women (2008, Korea)

The effects of placental extract on fibroblast proliferation (2008, South Korea)

Efficacy and safety of human placenta extract in alleviating climacteric symptoms (2009, South Korea)

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of human placenta extract

Anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet aggregation activity of human placental extract

Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2003 Feb;24(2):187-92.
Sur TK, Biswas TK, Ali L, Mukherjee B.

Department of Pharmacology, Dr BC Roy Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences 244B, Acharya J C Bose Road, Calcutta 700020, India.

Abstract

AIM: To find the anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet aggregatory activity of human placental extract (HPE, Placentrex).

METHODS: The HPE was studied for anti-inflammatory effect in Wistar rats on carrageenin, serotonin (5-HT), and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) induced edema in acute model and cotton pellet induced granuloma on sub-acute model. Anti-platelet aggregation was studied against protection of adinosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced aggregation of human platelet through in vitro study.

RESULTS: HPE showed positive results both in acute and sub-acute models of inflammation. Highly significant (P<0.01) results were obtained against 5-HT induced acute inflammation and cotton pellet induced sub-acute inflammation in comparison with standard (diclofenac sodium) and control (normal saline) drugs. The anti-inflammatory property of HPE in animal model was well supported with clinical study of platelet aggregation. There was highly significant (P<0.01) inhibition of platelet aggregation with HPE at different doses against ADP.

CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that human placental extract may be useful in suppressing inflammation and platelet aggregation.

Courtesy: PubMed

PMID: 12546729 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12546729

Vitiligo - Therapeutic potential of Human Placental Extract

Topic: A human placental extract: in vivo and in vitro assessments of its melanocyte growth and pigment-inducing activities

Pal, P., Mallick, S., Mandal, S. K., Das, M., Dutta, A. K., Datta, P. K., Bera, R. and Bhadra, R. (2002), A human placental extract: in vivo and in vitro assessments of its melanocyte growth and pigment-inducing activities. International Journal of Dermatology, 41: 760–767. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-4362.2002.01524.x

From the Cellular Biochemistry Laboratory, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Dermatology Section, Institute of Child Health, and Department of Medicine, Dermatology Unit, Calcutta Medical College, Calcutta, India

Abstract

Background The authenticity of various prototype human placental extracts with biological activity, such as that inducing vitiligo repigmentation, is under serious criticism, mainly due to a lack of demonstration at the cellular level. Considering the present worldwide scenario with regard to the occurrence and treatment of vitiligo, a thorough scientific exploration of such extracts should be undertaken.

Method One such prototype placental preparation was prepared, and was evaluated with regard to its melanogenic action in C57BL/6J mice in vivo and its mitogenic and melanogenic activity on B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and normal human melanocytes in vitro. The extract was applied topically to mice with age-induced prolonged telogenic phase of hair growth (grey body coat hair). Standard 3H-thymidine incorporation and spectrophotometric methods were followed to illustrate mitogenic and melanogenic effects at the cellular level.

Results The resurgence of blue skin, followed by shiny black hair, at the regions of application of the extract demonstrated the reversal of the age-induced prolonged telogenic phase of hair growth to the anagenic phase after topical application of the extract on C57BL/6J mice. Further support was obtained from histology where, at the extract-treated sites, the development of new melanogenic centers and hair follicles was observed. During in vitro studies, the vehicle-free extract constituents stimulated both mitogenesis and melanogenesis of B16F10 mouse melanoma cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The cell morphology and extent of melanogenesis also showed significant changes. In addition, two known melanocyte activity-modulating peptides, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), were determined in the extract, chiefly in the total lipid fraction, indicating their effective cutaneous permeation.

Conclusions The extract was found to be a potent mitogen in the in vitro condition and a potent melanogen in both the in vitro and in vivo situations. This strongly suggests its therapeutic potential for the repigmentation of vitiligo patches.

Courtesy: Wiley Online Library

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-4362.2002.01524.x/abstract

Comparative Evaluation of Human Placental Extract for its Healing Potential in Surgical Wounds (An Open, Randomized, Comparative Study)

GD Bakhshi*, Deepak Langade**, BM Subnis***

Abstract

Wound infections and dehiscence is a common complication after surgical procedures. Particularly so in institutions with patient overload. Human placenta has been used as biological dressing to treat various types of wounds and ulcers.1 Hence, this study was done with Aim : To compare the efficacy of topical application of purified extract of human placenta (PlacentrexÒ) versus povidone iodine for their wound healing potential in surgical wounds.

Material and Methods : This was an open comparative randomized study comprising 82 patients above 18 years of age undergoing clean surgeries. Enrolled patients were randomized as per the PC generated randomization chart (Rando 1.2, 2004) to receive either topical application of human placenta purified extract (PE) on the surgical wound or topical application of Povidone Iodine (PI) Ointment on the surgical wound. Both preparations were applied topically on the surgical wound after the surgery, on days 3, 7 and on day 10, if required. Assessment of surgical wound was done after recovery from anaesthesia and on days 3, 7 and 10 based upon wound healing. Physicians Global Assessment of Response to Therapy (PGART) Scale, pain and adverse affects.

Results : All 82 patients completed the study as per the study protocol. 22 (52.38%) patients with PE and 19 (47.50%) patients with PI completed the study on day 10. Complete healing of the wound was observed in 40 (95.24%) patients with PE, and 36 (90.00%) patients with PI. The number of patients reporting pain on days 3, 7 and 10 were similar in both PE and PI treatments (p = 0.779). None of the patients reported any side/adverse events during the study period.

Conclusion : Both placenta extract and povidone iodine have comparative wound healing effects.

Courtesy: Bombay Hospital Journal

Read Full Article Here

Protective Effects of Human Placental Extract on cartilage degradation in experimental osteoarthritis

Biol Pharm Bull. 2010;33(6):1004-10.

Kim JK, Kim TH, Park SW, Kim HY, Kim S, Lee S, Lee SM.

School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Gyeonggi-do 440-746, Korea.

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of human placenta extract (HPE) on cartilage degradation in vitro MG-63 cells, articular cartilage explants, and in vivo monoiodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis (OA). Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activity was measured in HPE-treated osteoblastic MG-63 cells. Articular cartilage explants in rabbit were cultured, and the degree of proteoglycan (PG) degradation was assessed by measuring the amount of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) released into the culture medium. Experimental osteoarthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of 3 mg MIA in rats. Beginning 14 d post-MIA injection, HPE was administered intra-articularly once a day for 14 d. The knee joints were assessed by roentgenography, histology, and gelatinase activity. HPE inhibited PG degradation in articular cartilage explants. HPE significantly reduced deformity of knee joints and suppressed the histological change in MIA-induced OA. HPE inhibited MMP-2 activity in MG-63 cells. MMP-2 and -9 activities were also reduced in the cartilages of HPE-treated knee joints. Our results indicate that HPE has therapeutic effects on OA by protecting cartilage.

PMID: 20522967 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Free Article

Courtesy: PubMed

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20522967

Clinical Efficacy of Human Placental Extract (JBP Plamon®) in Women with Climacteric Symptoms

Article from:Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology Article date:December 1, 2007 Author:Chung, Hyun Hoon; Kang, Soon-Beom | P-063

Hyun Hoon Chung and Soon-Beom Kang

Seoul National University College of Medicine

TOPIC: Clinical Efficacy of Human Placental Extract (JBP Plamon®) in Women with Climacteric Symptoms: Results of a Pilot Study

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and effect of human placental extract in women with climacteric symptoms.

Methods: We injected 2 ml of human placental extract (JBP Plamon®) per 2 days for 4 weeks in 17 women with climacteric complaints. We evaluated climacteric symptom severity with the use of the Kupperman scale and measured serum estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and serotonin concentrations by radioimmunoassay.

Results: All seventeen patients reported improvement of climacteric …

Courtesy: HighBeam Research

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1426334311.html

HPE offers protection against experimental visceral leishmaniasis: a pilot study for a phase-I clinical trial

Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 2008 Jan;102(1):21-38.

Chakraborty D, Basu JM, Sen P, Sundar S, Roy S.

Department of Immunology, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India.

TOPIC: Human placental extract offers protection against experimental visceral leishmaniasis: a pilot study for a phase-I clinical trial.

Abstract

An aqueous extract of human placenta (HPE) was found to offer protection against established experimental visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice and hamsters, whether the Leishmania donovani strain involved was one that was sensitive or resistant to pentavalent antimony. Intraperitoneal administration of the extract, into mice or hamsters that had been infected 2 months previously, led to antileishmanial T-cell proliferation among splenic mononuclear cells, the generation of host-protective cytokines (interferon-gamma, tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-12) and the upregulation of the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (and subsequent NO generation) in splenocytes. Furthermore, splenic macrophages from the HPE-treated mice showed increased generation of reactive oxygen species and enhanced surface expression of antigens of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII), and the extract restored the otherwise-defective antigen-presenting ability of the macrophages. Thus, in mice and hamsters infected with L. donovani, HPE therapy can stimulate both arms of the host's immune system and favour the complete resolution of the leishmanial infection. Among five human cases of visceral leishmaniasis, 30 daily intramuscular injections of HPE, at doses much lower than those used in the experimental infections, also gave very promising results. Based on the results of this pilot study, a further evaluation of the efficacy of HPE therapy, which may offer a cost-effective way of improving the treatment of antimony-resistant cases of visceral leishmaniasis, is being undertaken.

PMID: 18186975 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Courtesy: PubMed

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18186975

Placenta in Wound Healing – Compounds of which May Help

Gupta R, Chattopadhyay D.; Glutamate is the chemotaxis-inducing factor in placental extracts.Amino Acids. 2009 Jul;37(2):359-66. Epub 2008 Aug 23. 

Chakraborty PD, Bhattacharyya D.; Isolation of fibronectin type III like peptide from human placental extract used as wound healer.; J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2005 Apr 15;818(1):67-73.

Posted on: April 8, 2010

Human placental extracts are known to help wound healing. Rapid migration of neutrophils to the wound site is a prerequisite to the wound healing process. Gel filtration analysis of heat-treated placental extract gave the initial cue to the small nature of the migration promoting factor of the extract.

HPLC analysis of the extract revealed glutamate to be the predominant free amino acid. Our studies show that glutamate at an optimum concentration of 8 microM induced phenotypic neutrophil chemotaxis, as seen in the time lapse and transwell assays. Glutamate was also found to induce chemokinesis of the neutrophil, though the stimulation of chemotaxis was more pronounced. The glutamate induced chemotaxis was accompanied by polarization of the actin cytoskeleton, and by polymerization of F-actin. These data indicate that glutamate has a strong chemotactic functionality in the neutrophil, which could be of interest both therapeutically and in further investigation of the molecular basis of chemotaxis. [1]

One more intriguing thing has been detected in placental extract ability to affect wound healing is fibronectin. A peptide of around 7.4 kDa has been purified from the aqueous extract of human placenta used as wound healer. Derived partial amino acid sequence from mass spectrometric analysis showed its homology with human fibronectin type III. Under nondenaturing condition, it formed aggregate, the elution pattern of which from reverse-phase HPLC was identical with that of fibronectin type III. Immuno-blot of the peptide with reference fibronectin type III-C showed strong cross reactivity. Since fibronectin type III plays important roles in wound healing, similar peptide in the extract is likely to take part in curing process. [2]

Sources: 

1. Gupta R, Chattopadhyay D.; Glutamate is the chemotaxis-inducing factor in placental extracts.Amino Acids. 2009 Jul;37(2):359-66. Epub 2008 Aug 23. 

2. Chakraborty PD, Bhattacharyya D.; Isolation of fibronectin type III like peptide from human placental extract used as wound healer.; J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2005 Apr 15;818(1):67-73.

Courtesy: Innovita Research Foundation

http://www.innovitaresearch.org/news/10040801.html