Wellbeing Digital Sciences (NEO:MEDI.AQN, OTCQB:KONEF) announced that a clinical study conducted by wholly-owned subsidiary KGK Science Inc has shown positive results of UP446 supplementation in helping mount a robust immune response following influenza vaccination.
The company said UP446 is a natural health ingredient developed by Unigen Inc, containing Acacia catechu and Scutellaria baicalensis, botanicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
In the first study to examine these ingredients using a human vaccine model, Wellbeing said the randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving supplementation with bioflavonoid composition UP446 provided evidence for a robust, healthy immune response in adults following influenza vaccination.
Wellbeing explained that healthy adult participants aged between 40 and 80, who had not yet received their influenza vaccine, were randomized to either UP446 or the placebo for 56 days.
Halfway through the study, participants received a flu vaccine.
The results, published in Journal of the American Nutrition Association, showed that supplementation with UP446 significantly increased levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies compared to placebo in the post-vaccination period.
Influenza-specific IgG antibodies significantly increased with UP446 supplementation from Day 28 to 56 and from baseline at Day 56. Blood levels of glutathione peroxidase, part of the antioxidant defense system, were significantly increased in the pre-vaccination period, suggesting UP446 may help improve antioxidant functions in conjunction with vaccination, Wellbeing said.
“Conducting gold-standard clinical studies is critical in furthering our understanding of the complex interactions between natural health products and immune function” said Dr Erin Lewis, scientific director at KGK Science.
“Using a vaccine model provided a unique and novel way to examine the effect of UP446 supplementation on the immune response”.
Unigen president and CEO, Dr Qi Jia, added: “This study is a critical step toward providing consumers with scientifically based and safe ingredients and bringing natural health products to market as immune defense nutrients to support respiratory health in cold and flu season. This immune response plays an important role in a comprehensive vaccination strategy that can be applied across the entire spectrum of healthy population especially in an aging community.”
Wellbeing said that future research on UP446 is warranted prior to expanding the specific application of the ingredient, and will be undertaken to understand the effect on other immune cell populations and in populations at increased risk of upper respiratory tract infections, such as older adults, teachers, and individuals with seasonal respiratory allergy.
Wellbeing Digital is an evidence-based mental healthcare company focused on the development and implementation of innovative clinical treatment solutions, including psychedelic medicine and digital therapeutics, as supported by clinical research.
A subsidiary of Wellbeing Digital, KGK is a leading North American contract research organization based in London, Ontario that primarily provides high-quality clinical research trials with a focus on nutraceutical and emerging healthcare products.
Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com