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What is a shark cartilage:
The shark life has already had the history for 400,000,000 years in
the ocean, the scientist thinks it has the so big existence ability,
is because the shark contain strong immune system.The immune system
of the shark, not only the ability is anti-virus,the anti- infects,
return ability anti-cancer.The marine biology house, once many
transplant the cancer cell to the shark body, but did not can have
any function.The skeleton of the shark is mostly constituted by
cartilage, many expertses believe this a great deal of cartilage
makes the shark become it ability's matching the fast of the wound,
few on the sick list animal, own in addition a set of resist the
immune system that various diseases invade severely, this makes the
shark can be existing 250,000,000 on the earth.
The shark cartilage is constituted by some huge protein fibers of,
including 6-7 kinds of much more sticky sugars and glucose ammonia
that have to maintain the healthy function.Analyze with the
chemistry in purely dry shark cartilage, about 41% mineral quality
powder don't,39% protein,12% compound of carbon water,7% water and
not to 1% fiber,0.3% fat.The powder did not win to have 60%
calcium,40%
Aciculite, id
not find to have any ingredient of heavy metals.
The important role that sticks to many sugar lies in the lubricant
that the help body produces the sticky liquid form, and stimulate
the immune system function and other functions.The shark cartilage
is the natural anti- inflammation material and the wound of the
strong power to match the material in the world currently.
TRADE NAMES:
Shark Cartilage is available from numerous manufacturers
generically. Branded products include Cartilade (Solgar,
BioTherapies, Source Naturals), Mega Shark Cartilage (Twinlab),
Sharkilage (Futurebiotics) and BeneFin Shark Cartilage (Lane Labs).
DESCRIPTION:
Shark cartilage became popular as a nutritional supplement a few
years ago, based on the claim that sharks do not get cancer and that
this substance must therefore be useful for the prevention and
treatment of cancer. The fact is that sharks do get cancer.Cartilage
is a tissue that lacks blood vessels and rarely develops
malignancies. Angiogenesis, the formation of new capillaries, is now
known to be important in a number of pathological conditions,
including solid tumors, proliferative retinopathy, neovascular
glaucoma and rheumatoid arthritis. The process is also important in
other physiological events as well, such as neovascularization
following coronary artery occlusion.
Reported on the isolation of a fraction from the scapular cartilage
of calves, which inhibited the growth of new blood vessels
supporting implanted tumors in rabbits. It also stopped the growth
of the tumors. Subsequent reports demonstrated a fraction in shark
cartilage that also inhibited tumor neovascularization and growth.
The study of angiogenesis inhibitors has become a new field in
cancer research. Since the earliest anti-angiogenesis substances
discovered were derived from cartilage, research continues looking
at cartilage to try to identify and characterize novel anti-angiogenic
agents. Because sharks are an abundant source of cartilage, shark
cartilage is being used by several research groups.
Sharks have an endoskeleton comprised entirely of cartilage, and
while cartilage comprises less than 0.6% of the body weight of
calves, it comprises about 6% of the body weight of sharks. Shark
cartilage, like other forms of cartilage, is mainly composed of
collagen, which participates in giving cartilage its tensile
strength, and proteoglycans, themselves composed of a core protein
to which is attached polysaccharides known as glycosaminoglycans or
mucopolysaccharides. Proteoglycans impart resilience to cartilage.
The main glycosaminoglycans in shark cartilage are the chondroitin
sulfates. In addition to collagen and chondroitin sulfate, shark
cartilage contains about 5 to 10% water, a large percentage of
calcium and phosphate, and other molecules, several of low molecular
weight. These appear to possess anti-angiogenic activity, as well as
other activities. These substances are being researched as possible
therapeutic candidates.
The present invention relates to cartilage extracts and to a method
of producing the same. Shark cartilage extracts having anti-angiogenic,
direct anti-tumor proliferating, anti-inflammatory and anti-collagenolytic
activities have been obtained by an improved process. The process
comprises the steps of obtaining a homogenate of cartilage in an
aqueous solution, this homogenate being centrifuged and further
fractionated to obtain a total extract having molecules of a
molecular weight comprised between 0 to 500 KDa. The composition of
the liquid extract has then been investigated by different ways.
Further fractionation of this extract led to the preliminary
characterization of some of its active components. Due to the
multiplicity of biological activities of the total liquid extract,
it can be used for treating numerous diseases or conditions such as
those having components selected from the group consisting of tumor
proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation and collagenolysis. This
extract has no offensive effect on normal body functions. Therefore,
this shark cartilage extract has a very promising therapeutic value.
The process for the obtention of cartilage extracts is simple and
efficient. The unexpectedly valuable products obtained by this
process are therefore an indication of a new and non-obvious
process.
Scientific Support:
Although there is certainly no shortage of testimonials for
"miracle" cartilage products that "cure" cancer, the scientific
evidence for such effects is lacking. Despite shark and bovine
cartilage supplements being touted as "cancer cures," careful
scientific study in people with advanced tumors have shown these
claims to be wildly optimistic at best and completely bogus in many
cases. It is estimated that more than 100,000 U.S. cancer victims
have tried shark cartilage, either alone or in conjunction with
standard chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the majority of studies which
have tested shark cartilage on cancer patients have found little or
no effect in slowing disease or improving quality of life. In one
recent study, 60 patients with various cancers saw no improvements
in tumor size or disease stage. An interesting 1983 report in the
prestigious journal, Science, however, indicates that shark
cartilage does indeed contain compounds which can inhibit tumor
angiogenesis. This means that something in cartilage prevents the
growth of new blood vessels toward tumors, thereby restricting tumor
growth (the inhibitor is probably not a typical protein, but may be
a heat-stable proteoglycan). Whatever this factor happens to be, it
turns out that there is quite a lot of it in shark cartilage
compared to cartilage from mammalian sources (such as cows). A major
problem with the shark cartilage theory of tumor prevention,
however, has always been that there was no good clinical proof that
this anti-angiogenesis factor could even get into the body when
consumed as a dietary supplement. However, studies reported in
1999-2000 suggests that oral administration of liquid cartilage
extract delivers a similar anti-angiogenesis effect in humans that
has been observed in lab animals and test tube studies. In one
study, subjects (29 healthy males) received either a placebo or a
liquid shark cartilage extract (7ml or 21ml) each day for 3-4 weeks.
Midway through the supplementation period (day 12), a special sponge
was inserted subcutaneously (under the skin of each subject’s arm)
and removed on Day 23. Researchers then counted the number of cells
which had grown into the sponge as an indirect measurement of
angiogenesis. Results from the study found that cell density was
significantly lower in subjects who had received the liquid
cartilage extract compared to subjects who had received the placebo.
These results are the first to show that the anti-angiogenic
component of cartilage extracts is bioavailable in humans by oral
administration and that oral intake of such extracts can actually
reduce blood vessel growth in the body.
Safety:
Although no
specific safety studies have been conducted on cartilage extracts,
the doses commonly suggested are not expected to cause any
significant side effects (or benefits). In some isolated cases,
bovine tracheal cartilage has been associated with contamination by
thyroid tissue (the trachea is located adjacent to the thyroid
gland) and could potentially lead to thyroid hormone toxicity.
Value:
At this time, cartilage extracts do not appear to provide
significant value as a dietary supplement. As research into this
area progresses, perhaps new findings will provide evidence of
cartilage extracts in angiogenesis in cancer patients. Until then,
consider other supplements with proven benefits in joint
health/wound healing (HCP/Gelatin, MSM, SAMe, glucosamine and
chondroitin) and cancer prevention (green tea and soy isoflavones).
Dosage:
If you do choose to supplement with cartilage extracts, typical
dosage recommendations are likely to be in the range of
250-1000mg/day although significant differences may exist between
products.
The immunological
serum pattern was found to be in the following parameters:
Increase of 2.14% of the pre-treatment values of the Active Rosette
Test (ART), with the values of the Spontaneous Rosette (SRT) being
15.08%. Levels of circulating immunocomplexes were 237% and serum
medium con3plement activity (CH-50) was found to be increased by
2.14%.
An overall decrease of serum immunoglobulins did take place. IgA
descended down to 8.83%, IgM to 50.50% and IgG to 10.8 1%, as
compared to the initial determinations.
Of the group of patients in whom a beneficial effect of shark
cartilage was not demonstrated (14), the following humoral values
were found:
Hemoglobin levels
decreased by 13%, hematocrit levels by 9% and eritrosedimentation
rates by 50% ( initial ESR were somewhat higher in this group.)
ART and SRT showed increases of 3.76% and 15.08% respectively, while
levels of circulating immunocomplexes increased up to 241%of their
initial values and medium serum complement activity was less than I%
(exactly 0. 59%).Also, a decrease of circulating immunoglobulins
took place; IgA-8.47%, Igm.-24.87% and IgG in 18.9%.
Interactions With Drugs:
Shark cartilage products are rich in calcium. If used with calcium
supplements or drugs that raise calcium levels in the blood, such as
hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril), shark cartilage may cause serious
problems (for example, irregular heartbeats). In theory, shark
cartilage may add to the effects of drugs that decrease the growth
of blood vessels or healing of wounds. Examples are thalidomide and
interferon. Shark cartilage may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is
advised if you also are taking drugs that may lower blood sugar
levels. Patients taking oral drugs for diabetes or using insulin
should be monitored closely by their health care provider while
using shark cartilage. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. In
theory, very large doses of shark cartilage may actually increase
blood sugar levels.
Interactions With Herbs And Dietary Supplements:
Shark cartilage may lower blood sugar levels. People using other
herbs or supplements that may alter blood sugar levels, such as
bitter melon (Momordica charantia), should be monitored closely by
their health care provider while using shark cartilage. Dosing
adjustments may be necessary. In theory, shark cartilage may raise
blood sugars levels if taken with glucosamine. Shark cartilage is
rich in calcium and should not be combined with calcium supplements.
Other trace elements that are found in higher amounts in shark
cartilage than in other fishes and in other animal bones include
iron, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, molybdenum, titanium and
strontium.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention provides a new method of producing cartilage
extracts which have the advantage of containing a multiplicity of
therapeutically valuable activities. Among those, anti-angiogenic,
anti-inflammatory, anti-collagenolytic, in vivo anti-tumor
proliferating and direct in vitro anti-tumor proliferating
activities have been confirmed to be present in satisfying
concentrations in a shark cartilage extract. Other activities await
identification or confirmation. The effect measured in tumor cell
lines was indicating that beside a direct anti-tumor proliferating
activities, a cytotoxic activity appears to be present. All
activities have been obtained in a liquid extract of shark
cartilage, and some of them have been obtained or verified in a
solid extract of the same.
The present invention relates to a new process for the obtention of
a liquid extract of cartilage having a substantial portion of the
biologically active hydrosoluble components present in intact
cartilage, which comprises the following steps:
a) homogenizing the cartilage in an aqueous solution in conditions
compatible with the preservation of the integrity of said
biologically active components until the cartilage is reduced to
particles whose size is lower than or equal to about 500 .mu.m,
resulting in a mixture of particles and of a crude liquid extract
having said biologically active components;
b) centrifuging said homogenate to separate particles from the crude
liquid extract; and
c) further separating the crude liquid extract so as to obtain a
final liquid extract containing cartilage molecules having a
molecular weight lower than or equal to about 500 Kilodaltons.
This new process has the advantage of being easy to perform and
efficient. High yields of cartilage extract have been obtained,
which extract, particularly obtained from shark cartilage, contains
at least all the above-mentioned biological activities. It is
preferably performed at cold temperature (about 0 to 10.degree. C.),
in non-denaturing conditions (preferably in pure water), at a near
neutral pH (about 6 to 8) to maximize the probability of recovering
compounds of unknown physico-chemical characteristics. According to
this process, cartilage components can be extracted in a low volume
of solution (as low as 1 L for 1 Kg of cartilage), and after a short
period of homogenization (as short as 10 to 15 minutes). For the
recovery of a solid extract, the same process is used, except that
the pellet is recovered and lyophilized, disregarding the
supernatant.
This invention relates to cartilage extracts, particularly to
extracts providing from elasmobranch species, more particularly from
shark. The solid extract has shown activity. It may contain collagen
and non-hydrosoluble components. It may also contain a residual
activity of what was extracted in the total liquid extract. The
total liquid extract is very rich in activity. It can be used as
such or it can be concentrated. A concentration step which favorizes
the maintenance of biological activities has been priviledged.
Recourse to methods which could deteriorate the active components
like heat-evaporation has been avoided by caution. Ultrafiltration
on a membrane having a molecular weight cut-off value of about 1 KDa
has been used to concentrate the liquid extract of this invention.
As a result, a concentrated extract containing molecules of a
molecular weight comprised between about 1 and about 500 KDa was
obtained and tested. The total liquid extract (0 to 500 KDa) has
been further fractionated to characterize the active components
thereof. Numerous fractions have been obtained by different methods.
Some of them tested on tumor cell lines have been grossly
characterized by their molecular weight and isoelectric point.
Others have been assigned an activity, particularly anti-collagenolytic
or anti-angiogenic activities. These fractions await complete
characterization and identification. Therefore, valuable activities
are recovered in a total liquid extract and fractions thereof, which
may be advantageously used. In lieu of administering high amounts of
powdered cartilage, a more acceptable and enriched extract may now
be administered.
The present invention also relates to any therapeutic or cosmetic
compositions comprising as an active ingredient one of the
above-cartilage extracts. Most interest has been drawn to topical
compositions for use in dermatology and cosmetology. This interest
comes from the observed activities of the cartilage extracts. In
this respect, the observed anti-collagenolytic and anti-inflammatory
activities, and the antagonistic effect of cellular differenciation
mediated by the induction of Protein Kinase C in keratinocytes have
been considered as opening avenues to the use of the shark cartilage
extracts in compositions and methods for the reduction of
inflammation, the regulation of wrinkle or skin atrophy, the
retardation of premature aging, the reduction of acne, the
improvement of skin barrier function, the reduction of inflammation
or irritation and a skin soothing effect. Such methods are under the
scope of this invention. Furthermore, since the shark cartilage
liquid extract has been successfully tested in cancer, arthritis,
psoriasis and acne cases, compositions and methods for treating
diseases or conditions having one or more components selected from
the group consisting of tumor proliferation, angiogenesis,
inflammation and collagenolysis, are under the scope of this
invention.
Chondroitin Sulphate C (From Shark Cartilage):
Chemical Name: Alternating
Copoly(ß-Glucuronic
Acid-[1-3]-N-Acetyl-ß-Galactosamine-6-Sulphate-[1-4])
Molecular Formula:
(C14H19O14N·S·Na2)·n (Sodium Salt)
Molecular Weight: 503.35·n
(Na+)
Chemical Structure:
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鯊魚軟骨
