Brightseed discovers powerful plant bioactives in hemp seed shells

Photo © iStockphoto.com/ jurgakarosaite

Building on its previous discovery of N-trans caffeoyltyramine (NCT) and N-trans-feruloyltyramine (NFT), two bioactive compounds with the potential to support liver health and healthy metabolism, Brightseed has announced that the two compounds have been discovered in hemp seed shells. A part of the plant that typically goes to waste, hemp seed shells offer a sustainable source for NCT and NFT.

“Forager enables us to quickly traverse the molecular world of plants and find extraordinary prospects for new health solutions, often in places that are least expected,” said Sofia Elizondo, co-founder and COO of Brightseed, in a press release. “Hemp is one of the most sustainable and versatile crops on the planet, and hemp seeds, or the hearts, are celebrated for their dense nutritional profile. The irony is that we’ve been tossing the wrapper of hemp hearts without realizing they are a potential goldmine for health. Armed with new insight, we can make better use of this sustainable resource.”

Preclinical studies have shown that NCT and NFT may be potent HNF4a activators, promoting fat clearance from the steatotic livers of mice fed a high fat diet, by inducing lipophagy. HNF4a is a central metabolic regulator impaired by elevated levels of fat in the bloodstream from chronic overeating. A recent study published in Cell Death & Disease found that administration of NCT in mice fed a high fat diet weighed significantly less than control mice, and experienced increased mitochondrial mass, increased fatty acid oxidation, and increased levels of NAD. NCT was also associated with decreased levels of liver inflammation markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα).

Reference

1. Veeriah V et al. “Long-term oral administration of an HNF4α agonist prevents weight gain and hepatic steatosis by promoting increased mitochondrial mass and function.” Cell Death & Disease, vol. 13 (January 27, 2022)