Solagran claims success in liver disease drug trials

Botanical biotech Solagran (ASX: SLA) has announced success in preliminary trials of a bioeffective compound for the treatment of liver diseases.

After widening its trial program to encompass a range of chronic liver conditions the company, through its Russian research collaborations, has shown the naturally occurring Bioeffective R could assist in the treatment of liver damage caused by substance abuse and the side-effects of other drugs.

Solagran's focus is on the extraction and use of live elements from tree and plant sources, in particular polyprenols, naturally-occurring analogues of dolichol, which is found in humans and is important for cell metabolism and immune system function.

The compound at the centre of the current trials, Bioeffective R, contains these polyprenols.

Studies at the Institute for Experimental Medicine at St Petersburg, Russia, assessed the rate at which the livers of rats could eliminate an introduced toxin after receiving Bioeffective R.

In the trial, part of the rodents' livers was removed before the toxin was administered. The group of animals that received Bioeffective R were found to regenerate the tissue that was surgically removed as well as regaining anti-toxic liver function that were comparable to animals whose liver had been left intact.

The animals that were treated with other substances failed to regain anti-toxic liver function, the researchers found.

The coordinator of Sologran's clinical trials program in St Petersburg, Prof Elena Lapteva, said the results demonstrated the capacity of Bioeffective R to not only improve but to restore protective anti-toxic liver function.

"It is likely that Bioeffective R can be used not just for treatment of various types of hepatitis, but also in the treatment of liver damage caused by alcohol and drug abuse, as well as the side-effects of certain medications," Lapteva said.

A detailed morphological study, including a full analysis of the cellular structure of the regenerated liver tissue, is now underway with the results to be announced within weeks.

In a statement, the company said the results vindicated the board's decision earlier in the year to broaden its trials program from a focus on hepatitis to encompass other chronic liver diseases.

Solagran's shares were unchanged at 25 cents at the time of writing, with more than 1.7 million shares changing hands.