New research on Sashas Blend™ has been released!

Research Article

Anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects of nutraceuticals from Sasha's Blend™ in a cartilage explant model of inflammation

Abstract

New Zealand green lipped mussel (NZGLM), abalone (AB), and shark cartilage (SC) are extensively used for treatment of and/or as preventatives for arthritis, despite a relative paucity of scientific evidence for efficacy. This research integrated a simulated digestion protocol with ultrafiltration and cartilage explants to generate new information on the anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective properties of NZGLM, SC, and AB. Each nutraceutical was artificially digested using simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, and the crude digest was ultrafiltered (50 kDa). Each filtrate was applied individually to cartilage explants before the explants were stimulated with IL-1 to induce an acute inflammatory response. Media were collected daily for 48 h and analyzed for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and nitric oxide (NO), and cartilage tissue was differentially stained to determine the relative proportion of live and dead cells. SC and NZGLM significantly inhibited IL-1-induced PGE2 synthesis and IL-1-induced GAG release, and AB was an effective inhibitor of IL-1-induced NO production. The three test nutraceuticals affect at least three major pathways involved in the catabolic cycle of arthritis and may prove important treatments and/or preventatives for the pain and degradation associated with this condition. The methodology and results describe a useful model for evaluating dietary nutraceuticals in vitro.

Wendy Pearson *, Michael W. Orth 2, Niel A. Karrow 3, Neil J. MacLusky 1, Michael I. Lindinger 4
1Department Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1. Fax: +1-905-542-1011
2Department Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
3Department Animal and Poultry Science, Ontario Agriculture College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
4Department Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada

*Correspondence to Wendy Pearson, 1Department Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1. Fax: +1-905-542-1011

Funded by:
Interpath Pty Ltd.
Selected Bioproducts Ltd.
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council

Keywords

Arthritis Nutraceuticals Perna mussel Shark cartilage Simulated digest

Received: 23 January 2007; Revised: 30 March 2007

Link: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/114294285/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0