BMA-2 Product Description

BM-A2 is a proprietary herbal formula made from a plant indigenous to the South American rainforest where it has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Cats claw (Uncaria tomentosa) also known as Una de gato, grows as a woody vine and the inner bark is harvested and extracted to obtain bioactive chemicals. The chemicals of particular interest in cats claw are in the class of chemicals known as oxindole alkaloids, however quinovic acid glycosides, polyhdroxylated triterpenes, phytosterols and proanthocyanidins may also account for some of the biological activity. BM-A2 is prepared in a manner that retains representative amounts of all of the relevant biologically active molecules.

BM-A2 Stimulates Immune Function and Enhances DNA Repair The ethno-traditional use of cats claw has been to treat a range of inflammatory and immunological disorders including viral and bacterial infections, asthma, arthritis, and some cancers. Recently, laboratory and animal studies have focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying the immunological and anti-inflammatory properties of cats claw. Some of the properties that have been demonstrated for cats claw include: Inhibiting production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha Inhibiting activation of NF kappa beta, a key regulator of pro-inflammatory mediators Inhibiting the MAP kinase signaling pathway Inhibiting the proliferation of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells and induces apoptosis Prolonging lymphocyte survival and increases spleen cell number in mice Modulating DNA repair in human skin organ cultures Promoting repair of DNA damage as measured by serum biomarkers (8-OH guanine adducts) in humans

Evaluation of BM-A2 as a Calorie Restriction Mimetic BioMarker is studying the effects of BM-A2 on gene expression in mice. Mice fed BM-A2 show similar effects when compared to mice on calorie restricted diets. Results show that there are significant relationships in the types of genes that are affected by BM-A2 compared to mice on a calorie restricted diet. Many genes that control response to DNA damage and repair as well as genes involved in the immune response behave in a similar fashion when the differences in gene expression among these groups are compared. Recently, a randomized controlled clinical study of the effects of calorie restriction in humans found that in addition to significant effects on metabolism, DNA damage was significantly reduced from baseline in those individuals undergoing calorie restriction.1 BM-A2 may activate some of the same genes that are positively affected by caloric restriction by modulating DNA damage and repair and providing cells with an enhanced capability for dealing with stress. BioMarker is currently continuing its study of BMA-2, and arranging for distribution of the product. Upon completion, we will announce availability of the product on this page.

1 Heilbronn LK, de Jonge L, Frisard MI, DeLany JP, Larson-Meyer DE, Rood J, Nguyen T, Martin CK, Volaufova J, Most MM, Greenway FL, Smith SR, Deutsch WA, Williamson DA, Ravussin E; Pennington CALERIE Team. Effect of 6-month calorie restriction on biomarkers of longevity, metabolic adaptation, and oxidative stress in overweight individuals: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2006 Apr 5;295(13):1539-48.

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