GC WellBeing announced on Friday that a study confirming the pain-relieving effects of its placental hydrolysate product, Laennec, and its synergistic effects when used with steroids, has been published in Scientific Reports, a prestigious sister journal of Nature.
Laennec is a prescription medication derived from placental hydrolysate, approved for improving liver function in patients with chronic liver disease. Placental hydrolysate is a substance containing various components, including amino acids and peptides, obtained by enzymatically breaking down human placental tissue.
This research was a collaborative effort between GC WellBeing and a research team from Yonsei University. The researchers evaluated Laennec’s analgesic effects and mechanisms using an animal model of induced pain. They also assessed its effects when administered alongside dexamethasone, a synthetic steroid that suppresses inflammation and immune responses, commonly used to treat various inflammatory and allergic conditions.
The study results revealed a marked reduction in pain sensitivity in the group treated with Laennec. Notably, Laennec’s analgesic effect increased proportionally with the dosage. Analysis showed that Laennec prevents excessive excitation of spinal nerves during pain signal transmission.
Furthermore, the study scientifically demonstrated that Laennec exerts its analgesic effects by modulating specific signaling pathways that transmit and amplify pain.
A key finding of the study is the combined effect with steroids. While the global steroid market is substantial, reaching approximately 4.9 billion USD annually, long-term use has been criticized for its side effects.
The study found that administering low-dose steroids, which typically have minimal analgesic effects, in combination with Laennec resulted in pain relief comparable to that achieved with high-dose steroids alone.
Additionally, the research proved that Laennec significantly mitigates a major side effect of long-term steroid use: weight loss. In the group that received only steroids, body weight dropped to about 88% of normal levels, while the group receiving Laennec maintained normal weight.
Jung Si-young, head of the research and development (R&D) division at GC WellBeing, stated that this study scientifically validates Laennec’s pain control mechanism and its potential for use with steroids. It could serve as a promising treatment alternative for patients concerned about steroid side effects in clinical settings.