The drug produced a significant improvement in blood pressure and arterial stiffness in patients at risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke, but with no drug related side effects.
In the study, conducted at the Baker Heart Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, trans NV-04 was administered orally to 25 middle-aged men and women who were overweight and also suffered from at least two related complications such as abnormal blood fats, high blood glucose or raised blood pressure.
Arterial stiffness, measured across the large arteries in the chest and abdomen by a non-invasive technique, was significantly improved by the course of trans NV-04 treatment. Blood pressures, both systolic and diastolic, were also lowered significantly.
“It is well known that arteries become stiff as people become older or overweight, or as their blood pressure rises. With several risk factors for heart disease, stiffness of arteries is often present and increases the likelihood of blood pressure rising,” said Professor Paul Nestel, principal investigator in the study and also a director of Novogen. “The results of this study are encouraging in producing a range of cardiovascular benefits without side effects, indicating a potential for this to be used to avoid heart disease in large numbers of healthy or at risk patients.”