From R D to commercialisation of gamat research: a personal experience

Hassan Yaacob, . (2002) From R D to commercialisation of gamat research: a personal experience. [Proceedings Paper]

The research on Air and Minyak Gamaf' - the extracts derived from the sea cucumber - has materialized into useful products. The local people have used this marine substance for about 500 years. In fact the Malays claim that air gamat is a remedy for cuts peptic ulcers chest pain sores and inflammation. The project began in 1990 at the University of Malaya funded by IRPA. It was awarded a gold medal MINDEX/INNOTEX in 1994. The research was further pursued for a year at the Research Institute for Traditional Medicine Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University Japan under the funding of Hitachi Research Fellowship Award. The entire research took 7 years to reach its commercial stage. Through determination perseverance and dedication despite several beaurocratic obstacles we have now successfully defined the spectrum of therapeutic effects identified the dosage and refined the active substances. Hence our fellow scientists can now witness the emergence of a new generation of scientifically prepared products based on gamat for health supplement and therapeutics. Investigations were carried out initially to confirm the above mentioned claims of Gamat. We also determined the therapeutic index and spectrum of its therapeutic activity. The therapeutic index is a value used to indicate the margin of safety of a drug to be consumed. The higher the therapeutic index the less toxic the drug is. Using the Reed Muench Method on acute toxicity model the margin of safety of desalted and desaponinated gamat extract was determined in comparison to aspirin and morphine based on it analgesic effect. The calculated therapeutic index TI of the desalted gamat extract is 800 whilst TI values for aspirin and morphine were 213 and 107 respectively suggesting that the unpurified active substance in gamat was 2 and 4 folds less toxic than aspirin and morphine respectively. Elucidation of its mechanism of action suggested that gamat' extract contained complex polypeptides known as Gamapeptide complex acting as a cell growth factor and an immunomodulator. In addition it also contained mucopolysaccharides and natural fatty acids that exhibited synergistic effect with gamapeptide. Further screening of its activities showed that this substance could serve to reduce cholesterol levels rejuvenate ageing cells nerves and skin while giving a revitalising effect on body immune system. Thus with an acceptable TI value and duration of action its dose dependent effect well-defined mechanisms and broad spectrum of effect the substance extracted from gamat meets all the criteria of a therapeutic approach. Gamat may act as an important source of gamapeptide. With its central effect on immunomodulation and cell growth this substance is therefore one of the most promising anti-ageing and therapeutic of the decade.

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Abstract

The research on Air and Minyak Gamaf' - the extracts derived from the sea cucumber - has materialized into useful products. The local people have used this marine substance for about 500 years. In fact the Malays claim that air gamat is a remedy for cuts peptic ulcers chest pain sores and inflammation. The project began in 1990 at the University of Malaya funded by IRPA. It was awarded a gold medal MINDEX/INNOTEX in 1994. The research was further pursued for a year at the Research Institute for Traditional Medicine Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University Japan under the funding of Hitachi Research Fellowship Award. The entire research took 7 years to reach its commercial stage. Through determination perseverance and dedication despite several beaurocratic obstacles we have now successfully defined the spectrum of therapeutic effects identified the dosage and refined the active substances. Hence our fellow scientists can now witness the emergence of a new generation of scientifically prepared products based on gamat for health supplement and therapeutics. Investigations were carried out initially to confirm the above mentioned claims of Gamat. We also determined the therapeutic index and spectrum of its therapeutic activity. The therapeutic index is a value used to indicate the margin of safety of a drug to be consumed. The higher the therapeutic index the less toxic the drug is. Using the Reed Muench Method on acute toxicity model the margin of safety of desalted and desaponinated gamat extract was determined in comparison to aspirin and morphine based on it analgesic effect. The calculated therapeutic index TI of the desalted gamat extract is 800 whilst TI values for aspirin and morphine were 213 and 107 respectively suggesting that the unpurified active substance in gamat was 2 and 4 folds less toxic than aspirin and morphine respectively. Elucidation of its mechanism of action suggested that gamat' extract contained complex polypeptides known as Gamapeptide complex acting as a cell growth factor and an immunomodulator. In addition it also contained mucopolysaccharides and natural fatty acids that exhibited synergistic effect with gamapeptide. Further screening of its activities showed that this substance could serve to reduce cholesterol levels rejuvenate ageing cells nerves and skin while giving a revitalising effect on body immune system. Thus with an acceptable TI value and duration of action its dose dependent effect well-defined mechanisms and broad spectrum of effect the substance extracted from gamat meets all the criteria of a therapeutic approach. Gamat may act as an important source of gamapeptide. With its central effect on immunomodulation and cell growth this substance is therefore one of the most promising anti-ageing and therapeutic of the decade.

[error in script]

Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
AGROVOC Term:	SEA CUCUMBERS
AGROVOC Term:	MARKETING
AGROVOC Term:	DRUGS
AGROVOC Term:	RESEARCH
AGROVOC Term:	MALAYSIA
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:26
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/15527

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