Startup discovers compounds in hemp husk waste that could help fight liver disease
Brightseed, an American startup exploring new uses for plants in health and nutrition, has discovered phytochemicals in used hemp seed husks that could be used to treat metabolic health issues.
Forager, Brightssed's AI-driven research platform, found two bioactive compounds, N-caffeolytyramine (NCT) and N-trans-feruloyltyramine (NFT) in the outer coats of cannabis sativa seeds (husks) . Those results are a follow-up to Forager's previous discovery of these compounds in the black pepper.
Moreover, according to the results of two studies published in the journal “ Cell Death & Disease from Nature, NCT and NFT have been shown to remove fat from the liver of mice, as well as human cells.
This is a new point of view. Forager has identified a new benefit previously unknown to science,” says Sofia Elizondo, co-founder and COO of Brightseed. At the preclinical stage, NCT and NFT triggered new reactions on a central metabolic regulator, HNF4, which is used to eliminate fat in the liver of mice and in human cells, which opens new perspectives on the potential potency of these compounds. she said to theAPN.
https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/-brightseed-announces-preclinical-data-for-phytonutrients-targeting-liver-and-metabolic-health-/
The studies found that certain doses of NCT and NFT “triggered a total body reset in mice fed a high-fat diet,” while causing reduction in liver fat, regulation of lipid levels , restoration of healthy organ function, reduced weight gain and decreased liver inflammation in animals. It also showed an increase in insulin levels in human cells, signaling a reset and restoration of metabolism from lean to healthy.
The Brightseed team therefore believe that NCT and NFT could be used in the near future to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and potentially other metabolic disorders.
NAFLD is characterized by an excessive accumulation of fat in the liver. It can lead to digestive and other problems and, in more advanced stages, to liver dysfunction and even liver failure.
There is no approved treatment for this disease, which affects a quarter of the world's population. It is estimated that 80% of obese people have NAFLD. Human clinical trials are currently underway to determine the potential impact of the two compounds on NAFLD and obesity, says Elizondo.
The other benefit of sourcing these phytochemicals from hemp husks is circularity.
Hemp husks are usually processed as a by-product of the extraction of hemp hearts: the inner part of the Cannabis sativa seed, valued for its nutritional profile.
If hemp husks prove useful in the treatment of NAFLD, they no longer need to be thrown away, they can become an additional value stream for the hemp and marijuana industries. It would also highlight the health and nutrition potential of the cannabis plant beyond cannabinoids.
Hemp seeds are plentiful and hemp is already a highly sustainable crop from which we can source these plant bioactives. As we move towards the commercialization of NCT and NFT, we are exploring all avenues for potential partnerships,” says Elizondo.
Earlier this year, Brightseed partnered with Olam Food Ingredients, a division of Singapore-based food and commodities giant Olam, to explore potential new applications for products such as black pepper and garlic. The San Francisco-based startup is also a long-time collaborator with Danone; together they discovered ten times more compounds in soy with potential health applications than previously known. Brightseed has also partnered with agricultural cooperative and juice brand Ocean Spray to analyze the phytonutrient composition of cranberries.
