Introduction

The invention concerns the discovery of a class of natural molecules of marine origin as inhibitors of the activity of an enzyme present on human cells that represents a diagnostic marker for various pathologies of the kidney, liver and lung. Since today these pathologies are treated with drugs that have different side effects, the invention is an excellent candidate for the development of any drug or dietary supplement for the prevention and treatment of these pathologies.

Technical features

The invention describes the use of a class of molecules of marine origin as more potent and non-toxic inhibitors of the the gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) enzyme activity than those already known. In particular, the invention consists in the use of this class of molecules for the treatment of pathologies associated with high levels and / or GGT enzyme activity such as renal ischemia, diseases associated with airway obstruction (such as lung infections), diseases associated with high levels of GGT in serum (such as pancreatitis and liver disease – in particular, liver fibrosis – cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, steatosis and drug intoxication). Finally, with particular reference to liver fibrosis – for which today there is no effective therapy – the molecules have shown excellent anti-fibrotic activity and reduction of the main markers of liver inflammation. The experiments were carried out in vitro (on cultured cells over-expressing GGT) and in vivo (on mouse models of liver fibrosis) to evaluate the effectiveness of the invention (TRL 4).

Possible Applications

• Possible new drug for the prevention and / or treatment of diseases associated with high levels of GGT;
• Possible new food supplement for the prevention and / or treatment of diseases associated with high levels of GGT;
• Use in scientific research in systems for determining the GGT’s activity and induced mechanisms.

Advantages

• High anti-fibrotic efficacy;
• High anti inflammatory activity;
• High inhibitory power of GGT (at least 10 times higher than the already known inhibitors);
• Non-toxic.