Thousands of decision making professionals from the food, beverage, nutraceutical/pharmaceutical, dairy, confectionary and cosmetic/personal care industries attended the show this year. The organizers of the show foresee that this will remain the premier tradeshow event for the targeted segments in the years to come. Its location in the Northeast, the hub of these manufacturing sectors is particularly relevant.

Policosanol SC (Sugarcane) is a natural mixture of higher aliphatic alcohols, found in plant waxes. Sugarcane wax is the common source. The components of policosanol include 1-octacosanol, 1-dotriacontanol, 1-tetracosanol, 1-tetratriacontanol, 1-hexacosanol, 1-heptacosanol and 1-nonacosanol. This mixture of alcohols is clinically proven to be effective in maintaining normal cholesterol levels.

In vitro studies, studies on animal models and clinical studies published in literature reveal that Policosanol affects cholesterol metabolism.1,2,3 In clinical studies, Policosanol was shown to to be effective in lowering both total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the 'bad' cholesterol, and to increase levels of the 'good' type of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.1. Other beneficial effects include inhibition of platelet aggregation, which in turn is helpful in maintaining cardiovascular health.4-6

A comparative study with the commonly used statin drug, Lovastatin on subjects suffering from intermittent claudication revealed the superior benefits of policosanol, strengthening its credentials in offering nutritional support to maintaining normal blood lipid levels .7

Effects on cholesterol metabolism1 and antioxidant effects that prevent the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol, are reported to be responsible for its healthful effects.8

In vitro studies reveal that policosanol may inhibit cholesterol synthesis in the liver but is not likely to directly inhibit the hydroxy-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (which is the mechanism of action of statins).1 Animal studies suggest that LDL break down may be enhanced, but the precise mechanism of action is not understood yet.

Statin drugs were observed to have life-threatening side effects in some individuals, resulting in the withdrawal of some leading brands from the marketplace. Natural agents that offer nutritional support to cholesterol management are therefore much in demand.

At doses of 10 to 20 mg per day, policosanol was found to lower total cholesterol by 17% to 21% and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 21% to 29% and raise high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 8% to 15%. (Reviewed in ref 1)

Daily doses of 10 mg of policosanol were shown to be equally effective in lowering total or LDL cholesterol as the same dose of simvastatin or pravastatin. Triglyceride levels were not found to be influenced by policosanol. Policosanol has additional beneficial properties such as effects on smooth muscle cell proliferation, platelet aggregation, and LDL peroxidation. Data on efficacy determined by clinical end points such as rates of cardiac events or cardiac mortality are lacking.

Policosanol was found to effectively lower platelet aggregation with efficacy comparable to aspirin at a dose level of 20 mg. Additionally, the combination of Policosanol, and aspirin was found to be even more efficacious.9

At dosages of up to 20 mg per day, policosanol is reported to be safe and well tolerated, even in long-term studies (> three years). 1

1. Am Heart J 143(2): 356-65
   
   
2. Biol. Res. 27:199-203.
   
   
3. Biol. Res. 29:253-257.
   
   
4. Pharmacol. Res. 34:181-185.
   
   
5. J. Clin. Pharmacol. Res. 16:67-72.
   
   
6. Prostaglandins Leuko. Essent. Fatty Acids 58(1):61-4.
   
   
7. J.Angiology (2003) .54(1):25-38
   
   
8. 8. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2000 Sep;50(3):255-62.
   
   
9. Pharmacol Res 36(4):293-7.

A landmark study published in the May 31st, 2002 issue of "Science", corroborated observations made by Ayurvedic physicians in India, 2500 years ago. Medical researchers led by Dr. David D. Moore of Baylor College of Medicine, Texas, USA, demonstrated that the gum resin extract of Guggul (Commiphora mukul from the Burseraceae family to which the myrrh of Biblical renown also belongs), a botanical long known for its health benefits, has beneficial effects on cholesterol metabolism at the molecular level.

These US researchers unraveled the potential mechanism of action of guggulsterones, the biologically active components of the resin. Guggulsterones were shown to be antagonist ligands for the bile acid receptor FXR, which is an important regulator of cholesterol homeostasis in the body.

Scientific studies on guggul began almost 40 years ago when an Indian researcher, G.V. Satyavati was intrigued by the strong parallels between modern concepts on the etiology of atherosclerosis and obesity, and descriptions in the Sushruta Samhita written in the 5th to 4th century B.C. Traditionally, guggul is used in formulations for the treatment of inflammation, arthritis, cardiovascular conditions and obesity. Supported by scientific research, it has now been rediscovered as a hypolipidemic agent.

Gugulipid®, a registered trademark of Sabinsa Corporation, is the standardized extract of the oleogum resin of Commiphora mukul. This resin is a mixture of diterpenes, sterols, steroids, esters and higher alcohols. The active ingredients responsible for the hypolipidemic health benefits, are the guggulsterones, specifically guggulsterone E and guggulsterone Z.. It is important that guggul extracts be properly standardized and assayed using HPLC methods to ensure that side effects such as rashes and gastrointestinal disturbances associated with crude guggul extracts, do not occur.

In addition to two standardized powder extract products - Gugulipid® granules and Gugulipid® 40 Mesh, containing a minimum of 2.5% guggulsterones Z and E (by HPLC), Sabinsa also offers Gugulipid® Soft Extract, which is standardized for a minimum of 7.5% guggulsterones Z and E (by HPLC). This extract is manufactured using state-of-the-art supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, which eliminates the likelihood of residual solvents in the product.

An IND (Investigational New Drug) study approved by the USFDA seeks to further validate the hypolipidemic health benefits of Gugulipid®, Sabinsa’s trademarked extract manufactured by WHO/GMP certified Sami Labs Ltd.

US Patent 6,436,991 dated August 20, 2002, granted to Sabinsa Corporation, covers the antioxidant and cancer chemopreventive roles of constituents of Gugulipid®, This invention, titled "Compositions for prevention and treatment of abnormal cell growth and proliferation in inflammation, neoplasia and cardiovascular disease", further unravels the multifaceted healthful benefits of this increasingly popular phytonutrient.