Star Scientific , Inc. Release: Beneficial Effects of Anatabine Supplementation in an Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis Presented at NeuroScience 2012
GLEN ALLEN, Va., Oct. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Star Scientific, Inc. (NASDAQ: STSI) through its wholly owned subsidiary, Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals Inc., reports that earlier in the week scientists from its research partner, the Roskamp Institute, presented results of its recent research showing that anatabine supplementation significantly reduces central and peripheral inflammation and neurological injury in an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). The findings were presented in New Orleans, Louisiana, at Neuroscience 2012, the 42nd annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, as part of a series of presentations by researchers from the Roskamp Institute on supplementation with anatabine, the active ingredient in the Company's Anatabloc® dietary supplement. Neuroscience 2012 is the world's largest and most prestigious scientific meeting dedicated to brain and neurological science. Preliminary results were reported previously on the Roskamp Institute's website; however, this recent presentation contained new and expanded findings and marked the first time these data have been presented at an international scientific convention.
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The presentation titled, "Amelioration of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by Anatabine Through Inhibition of Stat3 and NFkappaB Signaling Pathways" showed how researchers at the Roskamp Institute assessed the effects of anatabine supplementation in mice with EAE (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis). This condition is induced in the mice by vaccinating them with myelin, which causes an autoimmune reaction. As a consequence, there is a severe inflammatory process in the brain that causes progressive paralysis similar to that which occurs in human MS. Dietary supplementation with anatabine had a significant positive effect in reducing neurological disability and improving motor coordination of EAE mice. Results showed that 86% (13 of 15) of the mice that received anatabine supplementation had no significant hindlimb paralysis after treatment, with only 2 mice experiencing complete posterior hindlimb paralysis. In contrast, only 33% (5 of 15) of placebo-treated mice had no significant hindlimb paralysis.
In addition to the beneficial effects on motor performance, anatabine supplementation resulted in suppression of pro-inflammatory molecules induced by EAE in the spleen and serum such as IFN-gamma, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-alpha and greatly suppressed elevated levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in the brain of EAE mice.
The Roskamp Institute also presented research at Neuroscience 2012 on the role of anatabine supplementation in facilitating recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI). Dr. Michael Mullan, President and CEO of the Roskamp Institute, noted: "Both TBI and Multiple Sclerosis have in common massive brain inflammation. The reason anatabine supplementation looks so promising in both of these conditions is likely because, as we have previously shown, it is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Although anatabine's anti-inflammatory activity may have different roles in each of these conditions the net result is to reduce the clinical and neuropathological consequences."
For more information about the MS research, as well as the TBI research, please visit the Roskamp Institute's website at: www.rfdn.org.
Certain statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to statements identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," "projects" and similar expressions. The statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences, including, but not limited to, results of clinical trials, the challenges inherent in new product development initiatives, including the continued development and market acceptance of our nutraceutical and low-TSNA tobacco products, our ability to license and protect our intellectual property, our ability to raise additional capital in the future that is necessary to maintain our business, changes in government policy and/or regulation, including with respect to our nutraceutical and low-TSNA tobacco products, as well as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement or any information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time.
About Star Scientific
Star Scientific, Inc. is a technology-oriented company with a mission to promote maintenance of a healthy metabolism, as well as to reduce the harm associated with the use of tobacco at every level. Over the last several years, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Star Scientific has been engaged in the manufacturing, sale, and marketing of two nutraceutical dietary supplements, and the development of other nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. The company also has continued to pursue the development, implementation, and licensing of the technology behind its proprietary StarCured® tobacco curing process, which substantially prevents the formation of carcinogenic toxins present in tobacco and tobacco smoke, primarily the tobacco-specific nitrosamines, or TSNAs and related low-TSNA dissolvable tobacco products. Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals has scientific and research offices in Gloucester, MA, and a regulatory office in Washington, DC. Star Scientific has a Corporate and Sales Office in Glen Allen, VA; Executive, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs offices in Bethesda, MD, and Washington, DC; and a manufacturing facility in Chase City, VA.
Contact:
Talhia T. Tuck
Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations
Star Scientific, Inc.
(202)887-5100
ttuck@starscientific.com
SOURCE Star Scientific, Inc.