Technologies

At Stony Brook University, two eminent researchers are working with new synthetic compounds to overcome curcumin’s disadvantages. The compounds are designed to be more soluble than natural curcumin which will enhance therapeutic efficacy, may improve pharmacokinetics, increase bio-availability and reduce cytotoxity.

Francis Johnson, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacological Sciences, and president of the custom synthesis and process development company, Chem-Masters International Inc., has synthesized a novel class of compound that displays biological activity that may be better than naturally-occurring curcumin. Working with these novel compounds, Dr. Lorne M. Golub, D.M.D., M.S.c., M.D. (Honorary), distinguished professor in the Department of Oral Biology and Pathology, has used them as zinc binding agents to modulate human MMP expression, production and activity, as well as aberrant pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and harmful growth factor activity. Their research shows promise as new treatment for connective tissue-and bone-destructive ailments, and inflammatory related diseases, including ARDS and rheumatoid arthritis.