Natural products as a base for ecological sustainable preparations - NATBIOPREP

Enzymes and plants for healthy skin

The project NATBIOPREP develops the innovative enzyme- and plant- based products for (1) prevention of healthy skin damage, and (2) prevention and/or treatment of infection in damaged skin.

Pollution is a reality of modern life and affects the health of every individual. The skin, the largest human organ, is the first line of defense against air pollution, harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and pathogenic microorganisms.

Air Polutants & Sun Radiation

Exposure to air pollutants and sun radiation induces (umesto induce) the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause oxidative stress and damage skin cells. The skin exposure to UV radiation also results in melanin pigment overproduction and may lead to skin disorders such as melasma, spots, freckles, ephelides and melanoderma.

Microbial infections

The skin injuries can expose its deeper layers to pathogenic microorganisms from the surrounding. When immunity is weakened or in specific conditions such as diabetes superficial wounds are more prone to infections, inflammatory processes, prolonged healing, and can turn into a chronic condition.

NATBIOPREP Solutions

Protection against air pollutants and sun radiation

Many compounds of plant origin have antioxidant activity, provide effective protection against UV radiation, and reduce hyperpigmentation of the skin preventing the excessive synthesis of melanin. On the other hand, various enzymes have the ability to prevent or remove the consequences of UV radiation and air pollution. They can neutralize and remove ROS or break down the excessive melanin in skin cells.

By combining plant extracts and enzymes in single preparation the multiple effects on skin will be achieved - the protection from air pollution/UV radiation and prevention or removal of hyperpigmentation.

Infection prophylaxis and
treatment

Numerous plant extracts show antimicrobial activity with similar mechanism of action as commonly used antibiotics, while certain enzymes can reduce pathogenic properties of microorganisms. NATBIOPREP innovative formulation composing of plant extract and selected enzyme will prevent injured skin infections and resultant complications. This topical preparation can be used as prophylaxis without the risk of resistance development. When used in the therapy of infected skin it can assist antibiotics activity thus enabling effective treatment.

Technology

NATBIOPREP will provide solutions based on a combination of purified enzymes from beneficial environmental bacteria and supercritical extracts of medicinal plant which are biocompatible, non-toxic, and come from renewable sources. These advanced technologies will provide products with a synergistic effect in skin protection. Long-acting topical formulations will allow stable enzyme action and gradual release of plant extracts.

Consortium

The consortium from Serbia consists of four scientific research institutions: Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade (IMGGE), leading institution with expertise in the field of microbiology and molecular genetics, Institute for the Study of Medicinal Plants ‟Dr. Josif Pančić” (IPLB), Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade (TMF) and its Innovation Center (IC TMF), and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš (MF). The consortium developes its solutions and product prototypes for the end user - the fifth member of the consortium, company Swiss Nature, which strives to become a leading company in the production of innovative, natural, high-quality, and clinically tested pharmaceutical products that are in line with the lifestyle of people dedicated to health preservation and development of healthy habits.

NATBIOPREP is a part of larger international R&D project that deals with different applications of supercritical extraction methodology, and includes institutions and companies from two countries – Poland (Lukasiewicz Research Network-New Chemical Syntheses Institute and Hortulanus) and Ukraine (Lviv Polytechnic National University, National Forestry University of Ukraine and Company Oliferchuk), in addition to Serbian consortium.

Team

The NATBIOPREP project team consists of experts in the fields of molecular microbiology, pharmacy and technology.

Participants from IMGGE

Participant from IPLB: Vanja Tadić PhD
Participants from TMF: Koviljka Asanović PhD, Svetolik Maksimović PhD, Slobodan Petrović prof. emeritus
Participants from MF: Ivana Nešić PhD, Jelena Živković PhD, Marija Tasić-Kostov PhD