SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Data supporting the use of East Indian sandalwood oil (EISO) for the treatment of psoriasis was presented by Dr. Manju Sharma, of the Vancouver Prostate Centre, at the recent 7th Euro-Global Summit on Toxicology and Applied Toxicology held in Rome, Italy on 24 October, 2016. Dr. Sharma examined the ability of EISO to impact the psoriatic phenotype using organotypic psoriasis tissue and normal (non-psoriatic) human skin models. Treatment of the psoriasis tissue model with EISO reverted psoriatic pathology, as demonstrated by histologic characterization and expression of keratinocyte proliferation markers, Ki67 and psoriasin. These phenotypic affects correlated with strongly suppressed production of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules ENA-78, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, GM-CSF and IL-1β. Demonstration of the ability of EISO to abrogate the hallmarks of psoriasis in well-characterized in vitro psoriatic tissue models supports the hypothesis that the clinically observed symptom alleviation, previously demonstrated in a proof-of-concept clinical trial, may be due to suppression of intrinsic tissue inflammation reactions in afflicted lesions. Summary data from the clinical trial, conducted by Prof. Kurt Gebauer at the Fremantle Dermatology Group, was also presented at the meeting.
“We hypothesized that the previously demonstrated ability of sandalwood oil to suppress pro-inflammatory chemokine and cytokine production by keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts could make EISO useful for treatment of a variety of pathophysiologic inflammatory and autoimmune skin ailments including psoriasis,” said Dr. Sharma. “Our demonstration that EISO treatment reverted psoriatic pathology in a reconstituted organotypic psoriatic tissue model is consistent with the known anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties of this traditional medicine.”
According to Dr. Corey Levenson, Chief Scientific Officer at Santalis Pharmaceuticals, “These preliminary findings strongly support follow-up studies aimed at expanding our understanding of this intriguing botanical drug. Determining the scope of activity and mechanisms of action of East Indian sandalwood oil will be essential to adoption of EISO-based therapies for treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory conditions.”
ABOUT PLAQUE PSORIASIS
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. Psoriasis typically affects the outside of the elbows, knees or scalp, though it can appear on any location. People report that psoriasis is itchy and painful, and the skin can crack and bleed. The skin cells in people with psoriasis grow at an abnormally fast rate, which causes the buildup of psoriasis lesions. Men and women develop psoriasis at equal rates. Psoriasis also occurs in all racial groups, but at varying rates. About 1.9 percent of African-Americans have psoriasis, compared to 3.6 percent of Caucasians. Psoriasis often develops between the ages of 15 and 35, but it can develop at any age. About 10 to 15 percent of those with psoriasis get it before age 10. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the disease and appears as raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells or scale.
Topical treatments with and without steroids usually are the first choice in treating psoriasis. Prescription topical drugs slow down skin cell growth and reduce inflammation. Treatment can include phototherapy which involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet light on a regular basis under medical supervision. Systemic medications are often prescribed for individuals with psoriatic arthritis and those with moderate to severe psoriasis whose symptoms are unresponsive to other treatments. Systemic medications are taken orally, by injection or infusion and fall into two categories, traditional systemics and biologics.
ABOUT SANTALIS PHARMACEUTICALS
Santalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of TFS Corporation, Ltd. (ASX: TFC). TFS operates the world’s largest East Indian Sandalwood tree plantations in Australia and is the only source of cultivated, sustainable, pharmaceutical-grade East Indian Sandalwood Oil. Santalis is developing scientifically and clinically validated over the counter and prescription products that utilize TFS' EISO, with development programs focused in oral health and dermatology, where EISO's well documented safety profile and anti-infective, anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties are well suited to a number of prevalent and underserved dermatological conditions. In addition to its Phase 2 psoriasis programs, Santalis has ongoing Phase 2 studies in oral mucositis, pediatric and adult atopic dermatitis (eczema) and pediatric Molluscum contagiosum, and is preparing to initiate a Phase 3 study for pediatric HPV skin warts.
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