TSI Group’s Hobamine could reduce oxidative stress and support healthy immune function, shows study

04 Apr 2023 --- Supplementation with 2-hydroxybenzylamine (2-HOBA) could reduce inflammation in both younger and older adults according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Using TSI Group’s 2-HOBA acetate offering, Hobamine, the study reports significant increase in i biomarkers related to immunity and inflammation.

A natural nutrient found in the seeds of Himalayan tartary buckwheat, Fagopyrum tataricum, 2-HOBA is a natural oxidant that has been shown to support the immune system at the cellular level.

“Normally, inflammation is self-limiting and its resolution is the first step in the repair and regeneration of injured tissues,” says Dr. John A. Rathmacher, lead author of the study and director of clinical research and laboratory services at MTI BioTech.

“Failure of inflammation resolution can lead to the progression of several diseases. That’s why a balanced immune system is incredibly important.”

Understanding inflammation
The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled  and NIH-funded study had two separate cohorts. The first sample population included seven men and ten women between the ages of 18 and 59 and the second included ten men and six postmenopausal women between the ages of 60 and 75.

Published in Inflammation, the study found that  2-HOBA increased the amounts of 15 protein biomarkers that play important roles in immune function regulation and homeostasis. Moreover, the study found that Hobamine decreased TNF-related weak inducers of apoptosis (TWEAK), a protein that has been positively correlated with inflammation and tumor growth.

Shawn Baier, TSI Group’s VP of business development, explains that inflammation is a part of the body’s repairing process and is indicative of a healthy immune system. However, he notes that too much inflammation can be detrimental.

“Trying to block the reactive compound formation associated with inflammation completely is an outdated theory,” says Baier. “But we do want to deal with the excess.”

2-HOBA a hero?
Though 2-HOBA has antioxidative properties, it is not technically an antioxidant. Antioxidants inhibit the development of oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS). 2-HOBA captures and negates the effects of oxidative stress downstream.

According to TSI Group, this means that Hobamine targets the negative impacts of oxidative stress without interfering with the body’s normal processes.

“Hobamine binds to pro-inflammatory reactive lipids, especially isolevuglandins (IsoLGs), one of the most common and reactive downstream products of oxidative stress,” says Baier. “Oxidative stress is a major mechanism underlying natural aging.” 

Rathmacher further elaborates, stating: “Elevated levels are associated with several chronic diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.” 

“The use of several antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes – such as vitamins C and E – have been proposed as targets to prevent free radical and ROS formation, but these have failed to demonstrate any disease reduction. As an IsoLG scavenger, 2-HOBA has a role in proactively improving immune health in a variety of conditions.”

Immunity boosting opportunities
Baier underscores that the results of the study allow the company’s 2-HOBA ingredient to enter in new markets – such as immune health – and highlights that the findings will help guide future research endeavors.

“If you don’t have 2-HOBA present and your body creates these highly-reactive, pro-inflammatory compounds, it could begin an unhealthy snowball effect,” Baier explains. 

“Having 2-HOBA on board means it’s ready and there when it’s needed. It supports your immune system’s ability to stay in balance, even when you are exposed to oxidative stressors.”

“More significantly, this opens opportunities for formulators and developers to add Hobamine to their immune formulas because it clearly enables healthy individuals to be more proactive about maintaining their immune readiness,” Baier concludes.

Edited by William Bradford Nichols