Plant-derived zeta fractions are potent inhibitors of surfactant-induced inflammation

As previously shown by Koganov et al. (2005 – 2013), proprietary Zeta Fraction technology produces plant-derived bioactives with greater diversity and complexity of constituents than traditional solvent extracts. Zeta Fractions obtained from living plants without any extraneous solvents and with minimum energy consumption exhibit superior free radical scavenging, antioxidant, photo-stabilization and enzymes inhibition. Here, Zeta Fractions were tested for reducing inflammatory responses caused by different classes of surface-active compounds. Keratinocytes were treated with surfactants to induce inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1α and/or chemokine IL-8. It was found that selected Zeta Fractions inhibited both ILs, with potency of some being comparable to a pharmaceutical grade positive control. Traditional solvent extracts obtained from same cultivars failed to show similar activities as corresponding Zeta Fractions. Cytotoxicity (LDH) and skin sensitization (IL-18) tests indicated safety of Zeta Fractions. Therefore, this novel technology can produce safe, multifunctional sustainable bioactives. In fact, some of them emerged in numerous products of multinational companies. AkzoNobel library of Zeta Fractions can also be explored for discovery of natural compounds which may not present themselves in traditional solvent extracts.