"PIN-MITE": a new Pinocembrin (PIN)-rich health care product

Pinocembrin (PIN) content in Bio 30 is 11% (110 mg/g, dry weight), the highest
among propolis samples around the world. PIN is a flavonoid rich in pine
trees. A cluster of genes such as CHS and CHI for its biosynthesis was cloned
from red pine several years ago, and now it becomes possible to mass produce
PIN in E. coli or yeasts (S. cerevisiae or S. pombe), using glucose and
Phe as two major nutrient sources. We are planning to mass produce PIN in
yeast under the control of Hsp16 (heat-shock) gene promoter by heat shock
treatment, to make a new PIN-rich health care product called "PIN-Mite"
(anti-cancer/NF remedy or "elixir") as an alternative of Bio 30 or "Natto".


Why are we so interested in PIN? it has been known for some years that
like CAPE (caffeic acid phenethyl ester) , PIN is anti-inflammatory, suggesting
the possibility that it might block the kinase PAK1 which is essential for
inflammation, in particular calcium-release from mast cells. This year it
was reported by a Japanese group that like CAPE and ARC (artepillin C),
PIN blocks angiogenesis which also requires PAK1. Since both CAPE and ARC,
the major anti-cancer ingredients in propolis, block PAK1, it is almost
certain that PIN also blocks the oncogenic PAK1 signaling somehow. We are
asking a friend of mine in Japan to confirm this notion directly in cell
culture, by testing the effect of PIN on p-Raf 1 (Ser 338) which is a direct
indicator of PAK1's kinase activity.

However, like CAPE and ARC, PIN is water-insoluble (therefore its bioavailability
would be poor if alone). Lipids in propolis solubilize these water-insoluble
PAK1-blockers. That is a reason why CAPE in propolis such as Bio 30 is far
better (more effective) than CAPE alone in vivo. However, there must be
another reason. Bio 30 is 600 times more effective than CAPE alone in vitro
(cell culture). Bio 30 contains several polyphenols/flavonoids, in addition
to CAPE: among them PIN is the most abundant (110 mg/g), almost 10 times
more than CAPE (only 12 mg/g). Thus, PIN and several other anti-cancer flavonoids
in Bio 30 must work synergestically with CAPE to suppress the growth of
PAK1-dependent cancers/NF.

An OZ scientist developed a unique salty yeast extract called "Vegemite"
as a spread in 1922. It has been sold by a major food company called "Kraft"
. "Vegemite" for OZ school kids is equivalent to "peanuts butter" for US
counterparts. They are the most favourite spreads to make their lunch sandwiches
tasty. Well, can we make a hybrid of "Vegemite and PIN-rich yeast extract,
which we might call "PIN-MITE"? YES, WE CAN! Alternatively, can we make
another hybrid product of "Natto" and PIN-rich yeast extract? YES, WE CAN!
As previously mentioned, Natto is a traditional Japanese fermented sticky
soy-bean product, and the richest source of vitamin K2, in particular menaquinone-
7 (MK-7). Like PIN, MK-7 is most likely to block PAK1, and has been shown
to suppress the growth of PAK1-dependent cancers such as pancreatic and ovarian
cancers.

Since PAK1 shortens the life span, anti-PAK1 products in propolis such as
CAPE, ARC and PIN as well as MK-7 in Natto would prolong our life in good
health, protecting us from cancers, NF, inflammation such as asthma and
arthritis, and aging diseases such as AD (Alzheimer's).

Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973), the author of "Good Earth" and the 1938 Nobel
laureate in Literature for bridging the West and East cultures, once said:
a hybrid child is far better than each of his or her (more pure) parents,
because two different (complementary) set of genes cause a synergy. Barack
Obama has proved it at the 2008 US election. Better than the more Anglo-Saxon
(or WASP) candidates Hillary Clinton and John McCaine! Like PSB, Obama
understands both sides: East and West, Christian and Moslem, Poor and Rich,
Conservative and Liberal, Republican and Democrat, Old and Young. His vast
knowledge and tolerance is the major power for governing US and the rest
of our world. So his handsome picture (or PSB's young portrait) could be
used for the label of our new mighty spread "PIN-Mite" jars or bottles for
the world-wide promotion...

To be continued.