Out-licensing

A Novel in vivo Quantitative Molecular Screening System for Identification and Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Phytocompounds/Drugs

The current invention relates to an in vivo screening system where in a human pro-inflammatory cytokine promoter, tumour necrosis factor-alpha known for its role in the pathogenesis of both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, was cloned into a luciferase-reporter vector and transfected into mouse skin by gene gun. Inhibition of the activation of TNF-alpha promoter by putative medicinal phytocompound/drug would indicate that the agent is a candidate for the treatment of skin related inflammatory diseases and possibly for systemic inflammatory conditions. By adopting this in vivo system, we successfully demonstrated that shikonins, phytocompounds from Lithospermum erythrorhizon inhibit the transcriptional activation of TNF-alpha and also provided the molecular basis for their inhibitory action. The current system has significant application for screening novel herbs/drugs for the prophylaxis or the treatment of human inflammatory diseases caused or mediated by tumour necrosis factor-alpha.

Conclusion

We have developed an in vivo screening system to identify the compounds that interfere with the transcription of TNF-alpha, so that the later events never even come into being and the emergence of the disorder can thus be prevented at a very early phase.

Relevance/Opportunity

This screening system can be used for the fast identification and efficient quantitative molecular evaluation of anti-inflammatory medicinal herbs, phytocompounds and pharmaceutical drugs. Please enquire if you are interested in forming licensing or codevelopment partnerships quoting reference no. 14T-930609.

Preclinical