SEATTLE, May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Plandai
Biotechnology, Inc. (OTCQB: PLPL), a producer of highly
bioavailable plant extracts for industries including health,
wellness, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical, today announced that
the Company's Phytofare™ Catechin Extract has proven effective in
killing the malaria parasite, plasmodium falciparum, in
analytical tests developed by and conducted under the supervision
of Dr. Sanjeev Krishna at the
Division of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Centre for Infection,
St George's, London School of
Medicine.
In the study, the single and most dominant catechin -
Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) - was isolated from Plandai's
Phytofare™ extract and its effectiveness compared in killing the P.
falciparum parasite against a purified EGCG extract. The results,
which are expected to be published soon, showed that the Phytofare™
extract killed the parasite and with a lower dosage than the
purified EGCG extract.
Roger Duffield, Chief Executive
Officer of Plandai, commented, "These initial findings provide
evidence corroborating previous scientific findings that
Epigallocatechin Gallate catechin can kill the malaria
parasite. This study involving Phytofare™ is the first to
show the effectiveness of using a commercial botanical extract,
rather than purified extract of EGCG catechin, as an
anti-malarial.
"We believe these results validate our decade-long research into
the opportunity for using botanical extracts as a means to combat
one of the world's great plagues. Dr. Krisha's clinical data
indicate that Phytofare™ extract has a stable platform with
predictable outcomes, making it a suitable candidate for further
investigations. We now have the opportunity evaluate the
extract in further studies, including inhibiting the parasite in
the glucose transporter and as a potential prophylactic by
destroying the sporozoites during their journey from injection into
the human blood by the female mosquito to the liver."
Plandai is finalizing agreements to undertake further in
vitro and then mouse studies at the University of Cape Town, Department of Clinical
Pharmacology, to further validate the antimalarial drug target
through greater synergistic activity of the complete Phytofare™
catechin complex containing the total eight catechins, rather than
the single isolated Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG).
Once all these results have been evaluated, the Company will
submit its application with the US Food and Drug Administration to
commence Phase II human clinical trials.
Each year, approximately 500 million people worldwide become
infected with malaria. Of those infected, roughly 600,000
will die from the disease. The development of vaccine options has
so far proved challenging due to the complexity of the
parasite. In addition, drug-resistant strains of the parasite
are moving across Southeast Asia,
prompting the need to develop a new line of drug options.
About Plandai Biotechnology, Inc.
Plandai Biotechnology, Inc. and its subsidiaries develop highly
bioavailable, phytonutrient rich extracts, which are being utilized
to deliver a new family of drugs to safely and affordably treat a
multitude of diseases and conditions. Plandai Biotechnology
controls every aspect of the process, from growing the raw
materials on its farms in South
Africa, to producing the patented Phytofare™ extracts
in-house allowing the Company to guarantee the continuity of supply
as well as quality control throughout the entire process.
Targeted industries for the Company's products include food and
beverage, cosmeceutical, wellness, nutraceutical, anti-aging, and
pharmaceutical. For more information, please visit
http://www.plandaibiotech.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
The information provided may contain forward-looking statements
and involve risks and uncertainties. Results, events and
performances could vary from those contemplated. These statements
involve risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results,
expressed or implied, to differ from predicted outcomes. Risks and
uncertainties include product demand, market competition, and
Plandai's ability to meet current or future plans. Investors should
study and understand all risks before making an investment
decision. Readers are recommended not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements or information. Plandai is not obliged
to publicly release revisions to any forward-looking statement, to
reflect events or circumstances afterward, or to disclose
unanticipated occurrences, except as required under applicable
laws.
Contact:
Andrew Beyer
Phone: 619-202-7456
Email: investor@Plandaibiotech.com
SOURCE Plandai Biotechnology, Inc.