| Botanika informs you ... | 2009 / August | |
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... about the medical associations of the plant Taxus Baccata Summitas !
Biotechnical processing of 10-Deacetylbaccatin III (DAB) optimizes the cost – benefit relationship for synthesis of “Paclitaxel”, a highly effective antitumor drug. Abstract: Based on a natural active substance from Yew trees (Taxus baccata), as shown and proofen by scientist in the past, a highly effective antitumor drug can be obtained by an biotechnical process and turn over. Taking the biotechnical turn over of the natural active substances from yew trees into account, a broader and general clinical application can be envisaged and definitely will lead to a dramatically improved cost – benefit relation. As shown in actual studies (see below), in comparison to USA or Sweden, a big lack of success in fighting mamma – carcinom has to be recognized for Germany. A general clinical application of active substance from yew trees as “Paclitaxel” (Taxol) could, as confirmed and demanded by leading oncologists all over the world, save the life of about 800 female patients with mamma – carcinom in Germany each year ! (see : Journal of Clinical Oncology – Henderson et. Al. März 2003). Botanika as a competent and efficient partner of pharmaceutical industry supplies the natural basic from yew trees for biotechnical treatment and pharmaceutical realization of this mandatory part of the fight against cancer.
Based on oncological basic research, a highly effective antitumor drug has been developed, which cytostatic effect relies on a natural active substance. The pharmaceutically active substance “Paclitaxel” is commercialized and clinically applied under the trade name “Taxol”. “Paclitaxel” (C47H51NO14 ) and its corresponding derivates interfere with the normal function of microtubule growth : The mikrotubuli are influenced in their function by hyper-stabilizing their structure. This destroys the cell's ability to use its cytoskeleton in a flexible manner. Specifically, paclitaxel binds to the tubulin protein of microtubules and locks them in place. The resulting microtubule/paclitaxel complex does not have the ability to disassemble.This adversely affects cell function because the shortening and lengthening of microtubules (termed dynamic instability) is necessary for their function as a transportation highway for the cell. Chromosomes, for example, rely upon this property of microtubules during mitosis. This of course indicates that, due to this mechanism, the drug is not free of side effects, as all dividing cells may be influenced. Cancer cells in a rapid rate of cell division are affected in an mucher higher range than other cells since cancer cells divide much faster than non-cancerous cells, they are far more susceptible to paclitaxel treatment Further research has indicated that paclitaxel induces programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cancer cells by binding to an apoptosis stopping protein called Bcl-2 (B-cell leukemia 2) and thus arresting its function. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paclitaxel). A complete chemical synthesis of the active substance “Paclitaxel” is much to complex and consequently too costly. Therefore, respecting a reasonable cost – benefit relationship, the clinical application rapidly depends on the disposal of natural active substance from yew trees. “Paclitaxel” can be chemically isolated and obtained from bark and needles of the yew tree (Taxus baccata), which also is very expensive and connected with a large procedural extend and a small yield.
For long years researchers were looking for methods to gain “Paclitaxel” within a reasonable expense and finally found a related compound in Pacific yew needles: 10-Deacetylbaccatin III (DAB). Extreme progress in this field has been made by scientists from Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba) (Heiligenstadt, Germany). Within an national BMBF project they succeeded in isolating an enzym from yew trees, which is able to synthesize Baccatin – III in a biotechnological prozess from DAB, extracted from yew tree needles and bark. Baccatin – III relatively easily can be used by pharmaceutical industry as a base product to synthesize “Paclitaxel”. “This new biotechnical process will minimize the cost of production by a factor of 5 at least in comparison to an “normal” extraction from natural sources”, stated Pofessor Lauckner from the institute. Following Professor Lauckner a cooperation with partners from pharmaceutical industry now is to be established looking forward to an industrial application of the biotechnical prozess and an general clinical application of the high effective natural antitumor drug “Paclitaxel”. Based on outstanding experience and a competent know how, a well trained stuff, a widly spread and professionally organized collection system, professionally processing (cleaning, cutting, drying) and storing procedure, Botanika contributed as a provider of yew tree bark and needles for pharmaceutical industry over years. Within our well established ressources we actually are in the position to provide up to 500 tons of dried Taxus material. Botanica guarantees an outstanding high quality standart : following HPLC standart analysis of the Technical University of Aachen (Germany) - RWTH Aachen, an DAB average of 0,13 to 0,16 is guaranteed. Botanika is convinced that due to the clinical request and new biotechnologies to be established, a growing market for the highly effective antitumor drug “Paclitaxel” is obvious.