In the tree of olive the… elixir of youth!
"Shield” of protection for the cells
The elixir of youth in the olive
tree
- Greek scientists put a “ brake" in ageing after the discovery of… the elixir of youth.
When the research is completed this potion will hit the market. Of course no one has to pay a fortune - or sell his
soul to the Devil as Dorian Grey did...
It is a substance with bitter taste but sweet results: "just half ppml - that is to say a half millionth of a gram - increases the life span of the human cells at 20%.
"This practically means that the skin cells live longer and they are renewed more often" says in the "NEWS" the assistant professor in the Sector of Botany of the Biology Department of Athens University, Mr. Nick Hristodoulakis.
In the question, how long do the human cells live, the professor answers that this depends on a lot of parameters like "the sex, the race, the age, the diet, the season, even the… latitude where somebody lives. Generally, the cells live about six months. However, the use of this particular substance that "is hidden" in the olive, increases their life at least an additional month". It is enough for someone to think that the facial-creams that relent ageing and circulate in the market increase the life of the cells hardly 2%-5%. The scientists admit they developed a "recipe" that has been under their… nose all along.
The research
It began a few years ago in the
laboratory of the Sector of Botany in collaboration with Mrs Hinou,
professor in the Department of Pharmacognosy of Athens University in the frames
of the Program of Aid of Inquiring Potential (PENED).
The scientists began with a
thorough research in known plants like dictamnus, oregano, basil, asfaka,
lavender, mint, akonizos and… the olive.
Their aim was to support
scientifically the "teaching" of Ancient Greeks about the therapeutic attributes
of particular plants.
They shortly began their research in the countryside, however they returned to their "base" as they isolated the cells of the plants and they cultivated them in their… laboratory. hey examined the various substances that were exuded from the plants. They realised that Dioskouridis – the known ancient pharmacologist - was not far off … as a lot of substances of these plants have antioxidant attributes. "In the beginning the results were not impressive. However there were clues…" the scientists point out.
Anticipate
Their enthusiasm was
strengthened by the conclusions of the Institution of Cellular Ageing of National
Institution of Researches - under Stathis Gkonos’ direction - were the
action of all substances in human cellular orders was studied.
In the laboratories of Greek
Pharmacology Industry FAMAR that part-finances the research became explicit that
the particular substance that is exuded from the olive protects and strengthens
the cells so that they face unfavourable external effects.
The result:
cting
preventively it delays the wrinkles.
The wait
Greek scientists have already filed with the OVJ (Organism of Industrial Property) an application for a
patent and now they wait for the results.
The next step is to study if
this substance could take the form of a pill to renew for example the
human muscles or some vital limbs. However,
they point out that the answer will take… years of researches!
Source: TA NEA, 29/10/2005,
Greece, p. N22 - Martha Katanidi