Euglena-Derived Paramylon Derivatives:
Next-Generation Glucose & Lipid Metabolism Improver
Creating innovative next-generation substances from the microalgae Euglena
Research Overview
Artisan Lab Co., Ltd. focuses on paramylon, a unique polysaccharide accumulated inside the cells of the microalgae Euglena (also known as Midorimushi), and creates innovative next-generation substances (paramylon derivatives) that exert powerful effects on improving diabetes and obesity by chemically modifying its structure.
Background: The Unique Properties of Paramylon
Paramylon has an exceptionally rare structure in nature (β-1,3-glucan). Almost no organisms try to use it as nutrition, and almost no digestive enzymes can break it down. Therefore, even when taken orally, it is not digested or absorbed in the body and passes safely through the gastrointestinal tract.
We maximally exploit this property of "passing through the intestine without being absorbed" by applying chemical modifications (such as cationization and amination) that add water solubility and functionality, creating the following novel substances with few gastrointestinal side effects and powerful pharmacological activity.
Key Paramylon Derivatives Developed by Artisan Lab
Cationic Paramylon Derivative / Amino-Paramylon
Development team: Artisan Lab Co., Ltd. · National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) · Kobelco Eco-Solutions Co., Ltd. (joint research)
A novel bile salt sequestrant based on paramylon. In obese model mice fed a high-fat diet, it was demonstrated to dramatically increase GLP-1 (the "slimming hormone") secretion approximately 3-fold and powerfully suppress visceral fat accumulation (announced in an AIST press release in May 2018). A paper proving its synthesis method and high potential as an anti-diabetic drug was also published in the international pharmaceutical journal Pharmaceutical Research that same year, receiving high academic acclaim.
6-Amino-6-deoxy paramylon
Development team: Artisan Lab Co., Ltd. · Kobelco Eco-Solutions Co., Ltd. (joint research)
A specialized linear high-molecular-weight polymer created by aminating the carbon at position 6 of the sugar comprising paramylon. At the 54th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD 2018, Berlin, Germany) — one of the world's largest academic conferences — its "effects on obesity and glucose metabolism improvement in diet-induced obese model mice" were presented as joint research with Dr. Suzuki et al., attracting significant international attention.
Mechanism of Action: How Dramatic Effects Are Achieved
These cationic (positively charged) paramylon derivatives primarily improve metabolism at its root through the following mechanisms upon reaching the intestinal tract.
Powerful Adsorption and Excretion of Bile Acids
They strongly bind to bile acids (which carry negative charges) in the intestine and excrete them from the body along with the substance itself. Since the substance itself is not broken down or absorbed by digestive enzymes, it can efficiently carry bile acids out of the body.
Promotion of GLP-1 Secretion and Metabolic Improvement
During the excretion of bile acids, intestinal receptors are stimulated and GLP-1 (the "slimming hormone") is secreted. This suppresses rises in blood sugar. Furthermore, since the liver consumes blood cholesterol to produce new bile acids, this also leads to improvement of dyslipidemia.
The greatest strength of these next-generation paramylon derivatives is that they exert powerful effects safely with minimal burden, without causing the severe gastrointestinal disorders (constipation, bloating, etc.) associated with conventional insoluble resin-based bile acid sequestrants.
Academic Evaluation & Patent Record
Shibata K, et al. “Creation of Straight-Chain Cationic Polysaccharide-Based Bile Salt Sequestrants Made from Euglenoid β-1,3-Glucan as Potential Antidiabetic Agents”
Pharmaceutical Research, 2018 — DOI: 10.1007/s11095-018-2553-8
Research findings presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of EASD 2018 (Berlin, Germany), receiving significant interest from the international diabetes research community.