Naturally occurring compounds produced by abalone may provide a new treatment pathway for potentially debilitating Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Mater Research’s Associate Professor Jake Begun said Australia had among the highest prevalences IBD in the world, with more than 100,000 people affected and the incidence of the disease is increasing globally.
Associate Professor Begun said it was hoped the natural anti-inflammatory molecules in abalone may lead to a treatment that was effective with minimal side-effects.
He said Mate Research scientists, based at Brisbane’s Translational Research Institute (TRI), had used extracts from farmed marine molusk to treat preclinical models of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
“We’ve seen that its about 50 percent effective in controlling inflammation in our preclinical models, which is actually very comparable to some of the drugs used in today’s treatments.”
Associate Professor Begun said the ongoing study aimed to identify the precise molecules which were effective against inflammation.
“We’ve separated out the meat part from the abalone and the visceral parts of the abalone and the activity is in both of those.
“Ultimately we’d like to use the part of the animal that are currently discarded and repurpose that for medicinal use.”
One of A/Prof Begun’s patients, Paul McLachlan was hopeful about the potential for a natural treatment.
“Anything natural that doesn’t harm the rest of the body, doesn’t have side effects and can help reduce flare-ups will be an absolutely fantastic outcome,” Mr McLachlan said.
He said IBD has been an insidious and life restricting condition.
“It drastically affects everything you do, from your work to your relationships and lifestyle. Whilst it’s out of control, you simply don’t know what’s going to happen.”
