Pine cone extracts and uses thereof

Patent Number: 7,338,676

Dendritic cells are the most potent stimulators of the immune system, having the unique ability to activate naive T cells. Thus dendritic cells are of great interest in terms of immune stimulatory approaches for treatment of cancer and viral diseases. On the flip side of the coin, dendritic cells are known to have the ability of activating T regulatory cells, a type of T cell that can suppress various types of immune responses. The ability of the dendritic cell to both activate, and inhibit, immunity is dependent on the type of dendritic cell and the state of maturation. Generally speaking immature dendritic cells promote tolerance whereas activated dendritic cells stimulate immunity.

In the current patent a method of generating dendritic cells is disclosed by culture of dendritic cell progenitors with an extract from the pinecone.

There are currently numerous ways of generating dendritic cells from progenitors, however the ability to generate a nutraceutical that can do this may be of great commercial interest.

In the examples section an in vivo assessment of the pinecone extract is demonstrated using a murine antigen-specific immunization model. Given what appears to be a good safety profile, this approach may be useful for further development.

View this patent on the USPTO website.