Claudia Villalobos
Pre-Hispanic Mexico made significant contributions to the world, including the legacy of endemic foods such as vanilla, pumpkin, corn, chili, agave, avocado, amaranth, and cocoa. To harness the properties of cocoa and based on scientific evidence that its polyphenolic composition possesses qualities to reduce cardiovascular ailments and prevent certain types of cancer, scientists from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) embarked on pioneering studies 15 years ago that confirmed that, in addition to these benefits, the seeds of this miraculous food have effects on neuronal regeneration and the improvement of muscular conditions.
Due to the encouraging results obtained in these experiments with the flavonoid, the Politécnico specialist and his team carried out a clinical protocol in collaboration with the University of California, San Diego. The scientific publication of this collaboration reveals improvements at the cellular and muscular levels in patients with these dystrophies. Debido a los resultados alentadores, obtenidos en esos experimentos con el flavonoide, el especialista politécnico y su grupo de trabajo realizaron un protocolo clínico en colaboración con la Universidad de California, en San Diego, cuya publicación científica revela la mejoría a nivel celular y muscular de los pacientes con tales distrofias.
Conventional treatments for muscular conditions involve physical rehabilitation, and there are experimental approaches using anti-inflammatories, steroids, and inhibitors of molecules that degrade muscle fibers. However, these yield very limited results, making a phytopharmaceutical derived from cocoa advantageous. "A natural therapy based on cocoa could be an alternative to improve the quality of life and social reintegration of those suffering from muscular pathologies," stated Dr. Ramírez Sánchez.
To evaluate the effect of epicatechin, they induced muscular atrophy in an animal model using chemical agents, resulting in the rodents losing 40 percent of their physical capacity.
For 15 consecutive days, the animals were orally administered epicatechin. After this period, the research team observed that the animals regained up to 25 percent of the lost physical capacity. "The flavonoid has a positive influence on physical capacity and specific molecular and structural aspects of the muscle," noted the specialist affiliated with the National Researchers System (SNI), Level III.
To deepen the research and verify the compound's effect without inducing sarcopenia with chemical agents, a study was initiated on two-year-old Wistar rats with natural aging and limited mobility.
Two groups of rodents were formed for the experiment—one receiving daily epicatechin treatment for eight weeks, and the other without administration. After this period, they analyzed the chemical, biochemical, and molecular characteristics of the muscle, such as muscle fiber size and composition.
They also performed physiological evaluations on both groups of animals. "The rats treated with the flavonoid walked for a significantly longer time than the control group; when assessed with manual grip dynamometers, they also showed recovery of muscle strength, unlike the control group," said the polytechnic scientist.
Another test involved subjecting the animals to exhaustive walks that the untreated group was unable to perform. Furthermore, the rats that ingested epicatechin developed physical capacities, leading to the conclusion that the cocoa-derived compound induces physical fatigue recovery.
While various tests have proven that cocoa and its derived components do not generate toxicity, it is necessary to validate the results obtained in animal models with muscular conditions.
"In the near future, we will evaluate the effect of a cocoa extract (which includes epicatechin) on patients at the National Institute of Rehabilitation (INR) with muscular dystrophies of different etiologies such as Duchenne, Calpainopathy, Becker, among others, as well as chronic fatigue," informed the ESM specialist.
The capsules containing the cocoa extract are produced under strict quality control and are regulated by the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris). Based on the results obtained, mechanisms will be sought to scale it up as a phytopharmaceutical and extend its benefits to the population in need.
As a result of his projects on the effect of epicatechin on muscular conditions, the Polytechnic expert has advised 20 postgraduate theses and has eight articles published in internationally renowned scientific journals.
The results of the sarcopenia protocol were presented at the XXII World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics in 2022. Experts highlighted the innovative use of epicatechin in these types of conditions.
For Dr. Israel Ramírez Sánchez and his team, these findings regarding the biological activity of a natural product endemic to Mexico represent an opportunity to restore self-esteem, quality of life, and confidence to individuals with muscular pathologies, allowing them to engage in daily activities. It also provides assurance that its consumption is harmless, as it does not generate adverse effects.
The epicatechin contained in cocoa has effects on neuronal regeneration and the improvement of muscular conditions.
Selección Gaceta Politécnica #164. (July 31st, 2023). IPN Imagen Institucional: Read the full magazine in Spanish here
INSTITUTO POLITÉCNICO NACIONAL
D.R. Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN). Av. Luis Enrique Erro S/N, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Zacatenco, Alcaldía Gustavo A. Madero, C.P. 07738, Ciudad de México. Conmutador: 55 57 29 60 00 / 55 57 29 63 00.
Esta página es una obra intelectual protegida por la Ley Federal del Derecho de Autor, puede ser reproducida con fines no lucrativos, siempre y cuando no se mutile, se cite la fuente completa y su dirección electrónica; su uso para otros fines, requiere autorización previa y por escrito de la Dirección General del Instituto.
