Quercetin: a Natural Supplement for Treating and Preventing High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
This invention defines a nutritional supplement formulation containing an effective amount of quercetin that is specifically dedicated to ameliorating, delaying and/or treating hypertension. An effective dose of quercetin may be administered over the course of multiple time periods or once per day.Benefits
High blood pressure (hypertension) is known to cause cardiac hypertrophy; i.e., abnormal growth and remodeling of the heart. The stimulus for abnormal cardiac growth is an increase in cardiac workload due to high systemic blood pressure (hypertension) that must be overcome during ventricular contraction. Increased cardiac workload activates a number of biochemical pathways in the myocyte that trigger cardiac hypertrophy.
In recent years, there has been strong interest in the role that phytonutrients may play in preventing heart disease. Flavonoids, also known as phenylchromones, have received particular attention because many are strong antioxidants and have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing blood pressure and slowing atherosclerosis. Quercetin, one of the strongest antioxidants among the flavonoids, inhibits the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins that reportedly contribute to inhibiting cytotoxicity of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs). If left uninhibited, LDLs contribute to the buildup of fatty walls. The consumption of quercetin in the United States is far lower than effective levels.
Several in vitro studies have demonstrated that quercetin can inhibit Protein Kinase C, a family of signaling molecules implicated in governing cardiac hypertrophy and failure. This invention outlines the use of quercetin for moderating hypertension and, consequently, significantly reducing the risk of associated cardiac disease.
Stage of Development
US patent application (2004/0258674) has been published on this technology. It is available for further developmental research support and for licensing under either exclusive or non-exclusive terms.
Additional Info
*Jalili T et al. Quercetin-supplemented diets lower blood pressure and attenuate cardiac hypertrophy in rats with aortic constriction. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology 2006 Apr;47(4):531-41.
*http://www.health.utah.edu/nutr/faculty.htm#Thunder
Inventor(s): Thunder Jalili
Type of Offer: Licensing
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