UK-grown daffodils could become the basis of a new medical treatment for heart failure, as a research project explores the effects of natural compounds found in the flower’s stem, leaves and petals on cardiovascular disorders.
Initial findings from Agroceutical Products – a pharmaceuticals company that uses daffodils for their bio-active properties – and Robert Gordon University (RGU), with support from the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), have found that specific compounds taken from daffodils have the potential to prevent thickening and stiffening of the walls of the heart.
When grown in certain environments, typically on higher ground, daffodils produce natural bio-active compounds known as alkaloids[1]. In this study, three different alkaloids are being tested using cell-based models that mimic cardiac conditions to understand the different impact they have on contributors to heart failure, such as fibrosis.
The study will provide the research team with data about the most effective compounds for preventing the conditions that lead to cardiovascular problems, as well as helping to refine the way they are extracted from the flower.
Around one-third of daffodils grown in the UK are currently used for their bulbs, which produce a high-value alkaloid called galanthamine used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The results from this study could unlock a range of opportunities to use all parts of the plant, stopping the stems, leaves, and petals from going to waste.
Natural products have long been used by the pharmaceuticals sector and estimates suggest that around 50% of all new drugs introduced globally over the last four decades have been derived from nature.
Kevin Stephens, founder and director of Agroceutical Products, said: “Only a small proportion of daffodils grown across the world actually end up as decorative bunches of flowers, and we already have a well-established UK supply chain that is helping to treat Alzheimer’s. This study could lead to the development of additional medicines that could be transformational for patients suffering with heart conditions, with promising initial findings. It is also about valorising biomass that would otherwise go to waste and working closely with the farmers to maximise the output and the value of their crops.”
Professor Cherry Wainwright, director at the Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research and co-director of the Centre for Natural Products in Health at RGU, said: “In their purest form, alkaloids can be toxic to humans and animals, but when isolated, purified and prescribed correctly they can be used as an effective treatment for disease. We have already seen a positive effect on the heart cells being tested, with the alkaloids interrupting a sequence of events that could lead to the stiffening of heart tissues and result in heart failure, and look forward to discovering more as we take the concept to the next stage.”
Liz Fletcher, director of business engagement at IBioIC, added: “If you have ever seen a field of daffodils in full bloom and wondered why they weren’t harvested at bud stage, it is most likely that the plants are being grown for use in the life sciences sector. While using natural compounds for medicinal purposes can offer huge economic potential for farmers in rural communities, it is also a great example of how naturally occurring products can feed into major industries and have a positive impact on people’s lives. We are excited to see how the research team take forward the findings from this collaborative initiative.”
About Robert Gordon University (RGU)
RGU has a heritage going back 250 years and was awarded university status in 1992. Throughout its development, the university has remained committed to creating equal opportunities to access a relevant and valuable education. It is made up of eleven schools and offers over 300 courses ranging from engineering, architecture, computing, and life sciences to the creative industries, health and social care, and business.
The university is making significant investment to grow its globally impactful research in key areas including Health & Wellbeing, Environment Energy and Sustainability, Living in a Digital World and Inclusive and creative Societies. Through prioritising strategic research partnerships, the university fosters excellence in knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration. RGU is known for its close engagement with industry and has a significant track record in workforce development both nationally and internationally. It collaborates with organisations, governments, trade bodies, industry associations and educational institutions to stimulate innovation and drive economic development.
RGU delivers a high-quality vocational education and relevant curriculum which provides learners with the skills they require to thrive throughout their careers. As a result, the university has a reputation for producing graduates that are highly sought after by employers. Over the last decade RGU has consistently had one of the best records of any UK university for graduate level employment and is currently ranked as the top university in Scotland and third in the UK for the employability of its graduates by the Higher Education Statistics Agency. The University also celebrates a high-quality student experience and is currently ranked in the top three universities in Scotland for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey. It has been named as the Scottish University of the Year 2021 in The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2021.
About the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre
The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) was established in 2014 to stimulate growth of the Industrial Biotechnology (IB) in Scotland. IBioIC is recognised as a European centre of excellence and connects world-leading industry with outstanding academic expertise and government to bring new IB processes and products to the global market.
IBioIC is a key driver of Scotland’s National Plan for Industrial Biotechnology, which set a target of £900 million in associated turnover for 2025, in 2020 the figure had grown to almost £800 million.
IBioIC facilitates collaboration, provides scale-up capabilities, creates networks and develops skills and training provisions. IBioIC has more than 140 industry members, over 70% of which are SME or micro companies. To date, IBioIC has provided support for more than 200 companies, across a range of collaborative innovation projects, fostering academic-business partnership and co-funded by business.
A total investment of £6.4 million to date has leveraged an additional £28.5 million from businesses, follow-on funding from other sources or partnering with other funding initiatives. As a direct outcome from the collaborative projects funded alone, 327 high value green jobs have been protected or created by the businesses involved, leading to a further 3,000 jobs.
IBioIC has supported 369 students through its skills and training partnerships across 18 Universities and research institutes and four Further Education Colleges in Scotland.
[1] Alkaloids are naturally occurring organic compounds that contain at least one nitrogen atom
Source
IBioIC, press release, 2022-10-31.
Supplier
Agroceutical Products
Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC)
Robert Gordon University (Aberdeen)
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