Warner Chilcott Announces FDA Approval of New Ulcerative Colitis Product Delzicol

We know that, Mesalazine , also known as mesalamine (USAN) or 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), is an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis and mild-to-moderate Crohn's disease. Mesalazine is a bowel-specificaminosalicylate drug that acts locally in the gut and has its predominant actions there, thereby having few systemic side effects.

As a derivative of salicylic acid, mesalazine is also thought to be an antioxidant that traps free radicals, which are potentially damaging byproducts of metabolism

Warner Chilcott plc announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its new 400 mg mesalamine product indicated for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. The product will be marketed as Delzicol (mesalamine) 400 mg delayed-release capsules. The Company anticipates that it will commercially launch Delzicol in March 2013.

Warner Chilcott Announces FDA Approval of New Ulcerative Colitis Product Delzicol

Santarus Receives FDA Approval of Uceris (budesonide) for the Induction of Remission in Patients with Active, Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis

In continuation of my update on Budesonide

We know that, Budesonide is a glucocorticoid steroid for the treatment of asthma and non-infectious rhinitis (including hay fever and other allergies), and for treatment and prevention of nasal polyposis. In addition, it is used for Crohn's disease (inflammatory bowel disease).

It is marketed by AstraZeneca as a nasal inhalant under the brand name Rhinocort (in Denmark, as Rhinosol), as an oral inhalant under the brand name Pulmicort (in Israel, Budicort), and as either an enema or a modified-release oral capsule under the brand name Entocort. It is also sold in combination with formoterol (Oxis) in a single inhaler, under the brand name Symbicort. In Brazil it is marketed by Eurofarma under the brand name Noex. Entocort EC is an oral capsule marketed in the United States by Prometheus Laboratories.

Santarus Receives FDA Approval of Uceris (budesonide) for the Induction of Remission in Patients with Active, Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis

Plantain and broccoli fiber help in Crohn’s disease........

In continuation of my update on dietary benefits of broccoli....

New research from University School of Clinical Sciences in Liverpool, lead by Prof. Jonathan Rhodes,  suggests that plant fibers in plantains and broccoli can help prevent relapses of Crohn's disease. This disease is a long term disease of the gut that is characterized by inflammation of the lining of the digestive system, with symptoms including diarrhea and abdominal pain. Scientists believe that rise in processed food and decrease in fibers in diet could be a reason for rise of incidence of this disease.

For this study the scientists tested a range of soluble plant fiber to judge their effect on Crohn's disease. Soluble plant fiber is the kind which comes out of vegetables when they are boiled in water. The results of the study showed that soluble fiber from plantain and broccoli specifically stopped 45% to 82% of the bacteria E.coli from crossing into cells in the intestine. Fiber from leek and apple had no effect.

The sticky E. coli are capable of penetrating the gut wall via special cells, called M-cells that act as 'gatekeepers' to the lymphatic system. Studies have shown that patients with Crohn's disease this leak leads to chronic inflammation in the gut. This study shed that plantain soluble fibers prevented the uptake and transport of E. coli across M.cells. They compared these results with tests on polysorbate-80 - a fat emulsifier used in processed food to bind ingredients together. The tests revealed that polysorbate had the opposite effect to plantain fibers, and encouraged the movement of bacteria through the cells.

The research shows that different dietary components can have powerful effects on the movement of bacteria through the bowel. We  know  the general health benefits of eating plantain and broccoli, which are both high in vitamins and minerals, but until now we have not understood how they can boost the body's natural defences against infection common in Crohn's patients. This work, suggests that it might be important for patients with this condition to eat healthily and limit their intake of processed foods.

Ref : http://www.liv.ac.uk/researchintelligence/issue23/ibd.html