Science Shorts: Bod Australia’s discovery of new proteins, Malaysian firm Davos exploring tocotrienols for IBS and more

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Read the latest scientific findings from companies and academia. ©Getty Images (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

In this round up, we present scientific findings from both the academia and the industry, including Bod Australia’s discovery of protein carrier for CBD skin care, Malaysian firm Davos Life Science exploring the potential of tocotrienols for IBS, ginseng’s cognitive benefits and more.

Ginsenoside provide broad spectrum protection against neuro diseases – Chinese review

Ginsenoside – the bioactive ingredient in ginseng – is able to protect against a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases, according to a Chinese review on existing research.

The research, funded by the Program of Shanghai Committee of Science and Technology, studied the protective effect of ginsenoside for a number of neuro diseases, including stroke, depression, and the Alzheimer’s disease.  

Through the review, they pointed out that ginsenoside and its derivatives – including ginseng polysaccharides, volatile oil, and peptides – are “potential stocks” as active agents in the prevention and treatment of brain diseases.

High MUFA intake linked to lower hypertension risk – major Korean RCT

A diet high in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) is found to significantly decrease the risk of new-onset hypertension.

Researchers from South Korea found that a higher intake of MUFA reduce the incidence of hypertension risk by about 51%.

They published their findings in the journal Nutrients.

Supplements for IBS? Davos to undertake human trial of tocotrienols’ efficacy following mice findings

Malaysian firm Davos Life Science is interested to find out the efficacy of tocotrienols in alleviating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in humans, following a recent successful mice study.

The firm recently published its findings on how oral supplementation of tocotrienols-rich fraction (TRF) – a palm oil extract – could alleviate the severity of ulcerative colitis in mice.

Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that could lead to continuous inflammation in the digestive tract.

Bod Australia’s new research link-up with UTS reveals protein ‘carrier’ for CBD skin care

Medical cannabis company Bod Australia and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have identified a new solution to guard the skin against the ageing process.

The company just revealed the preliminary result of its collaboration with UTS which claimed to have discovered a new family of proteins found in human cells.

Adele Hosseini, chief scientific officer at Bod Australia, explained to CosmeticsDesign-Asia that these proteins have antioxidant characteristics which could potentially repair and protect the skin from the ageing process.

Not all proteins are equal: Leucine triggers muscle protein synthesis more effectively than others – study

Protein supplements containing high amounts of leucine are more effective than others in triggering muscle building synthesis, a kinesiology professor has argued, citing a number of scientific studies.

Dr Stuart Phillips, a professor from McMaster University’s Department of Kinesiology, was speaking at the event “Building towards Sustainable Physical Activity Behaviour” organised by International Life Sciences Institute South East Asia (ILSI-SEA) recently.

In his presentation, he highlighted that the amino acid leucine was more effective in triggering muscle protein synthesis as compared to others.