AIF (Anti-Inflammation Factor)

• Introduction :
  AIF (Anti-Inflammation Factor) is a functional food ingredient for relieving arthritis
  independently developed by bone-specialized bioengineering company, Oscotec Inc.
• History : Oscotec Inc. screened more than 1,500 natural herbs effective in bone metabolism. 
  AIF was developed by arranging and specifically processing natural herbs effective 
  in arthritis (Intellectual property rights on the efficacy of AIF is protected under patents)

Symptoms of joint-related diseases include inflammation, swelling, pain, and malfunction 
of joint due to cartilage and bone degeneration (Fig. 1). Many studies have reported
on the factors that induce inflammation and bone degeneration (Fig. 2). AIF inhibits 
expression and secretion of these arthritis inducing factors, thus is effective in preventing  pain, inflammation, and cartilage/bone degeneration.

• Ingredients of AIF and Production process : Extraction of 3 different natural herbs

Panax Notoginseng	Rehmanniae Radix	Acanthopanacis Cortex

• In vitro efficacy test : Anti-inflammation & pain (Oscotec R&D Center)
  

( Description of AIF Efficacy test )

Inhibition of inflammation & pain inducing factors : The influence of AIF on the 
secretion of inflammation inducing factors (cytokine) such as TNF-α, iNo, and IL-1 was 
evaluated. As the concentration of AIF increases, secretion of each factor was decreased, and secretion of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) which is known as pain 
inducing  factor was inhibited as well.

- Protection of joint bone : 2 natural herbs (Rehmanniae Radix, Acanthopanacis Cortex) 
have efficacy in inhibition of bone degeneration was already proved through clinical trials.

In vivo animal test

Inhibition of Arthritis Index increase : AIF was administered to collagen induced 
arthritis mice for 21 days, and the changes of Arthritis Index were evaluated in this 
double-blinded trial. AIF treated group showed the suppressive effect on Arthritis 
Index increase compared to control group.

Result : Considering the results of In vitro test and in vivo trials, AIF inhibits the 
secretion of inflammation inducing factors and joint bone degeneration, thus AIF is 
scientifically proven to be effective in reducing and suppressing arthritis symptoms.

Clinical trial
Efficacy Test of Mixed Extracts of Panax notoginseng, Rehmanniae Radix and 
Acanthopanacis cortex for Treatments of Horses with Experimentally induced Osteoarthritis College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University
Method : 12 male horses between 2-5 years were selected for clinical trial. Horses 
were randomly assigned to one of two groups: AIF and placebo group. 3g of AIF 
were administered to experimental group daily during 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, 
change of the joint was evaluated by macroscopic, radiographic and histopathological 
assessment.

Result : AIF treated group showed fast cartilage regeneration, inhibition of  
arthritic index (AI) increase, and lower TNF-α concentration compared to control group.
Considering the results of the clinical trial, AIF inhibits the secretion of inflammation 
inducing factors and joint bone degeneration, thus AIF is proven to have a great 
efficacy to prevent and cure for horse osteoarthritis.

Related patents :

• A herbal mixture extract of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata 
  and Acanthopanacis Cortex and composition comprising the same for prevenion 
  and treatment of osteoporosis Patent number 10-0680628-0000 (2007.02.02)
• A herbal mixture extract of Notoginseng Radix, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata and 
  Acanthopanacis Cortex and composition comprising the same for prevention and 
  treatment of arthrtis Patent number 10-0626358-0000 (2006.09.13)
• Patent pending : 1 (not open to the public)  

Ideal property for various applications :
 
AIF is a functional ingredient targeting adults and those who are at risk of arthritis. 
It is applicable to general food products, functional food, and animal feed additives.
It has no peculiar flavor or fragrance, and is in the form of water-soluble powder.

Application Examples :

• Health supplement food : Glucosamine tablets 
• Beverage : Sports drink, Ginseng drink 
• Animal feed : Feed additives

AIF (Anti-Inflammation Factor)

| AIF
is a functional ingredient for relieving arthritis independently developed by bone-specialized bioengineering company, Oscotec Inc. AIF is designed to inhibit expression and secretion of arthritis inducing factors, thus effective in preventing pain, inflammation and cartilage/bone degeneration.

| Mechanism
The diagrammatic representation of the joint is enlarged to show the major cellular and molecular events occurring within the synovial pannus.This highly destructive, invasive tissue consists largely of synovial fibroblast, activated T cells and macrophages, the latter being the primary source of the proinflammatory and pleiotropic cytokines IL-1 and TNF-α.
The high local concentrations of IL-1 and TNF-α found within the synovium may also promote the release and activation of a number of proteolytic enzymes including the MMPs and aggrecanases. AIF inhibits TNF-α release and MMP-13 expression while inducing selective death of activated T cells.

| Composition
AIF is manufactured by extracting 3 different natural herbs; Panax Notoginseng, Rehmannia Glutinosa Libosch, and Eleutherococcus Senticosus. After extraction and other processes, AIF occurs as light brownish colored powder, with no peculiar flavor or fragrance.

| Experimental Results
Efficacy Test of AIF for Treatments of Horses with Experimentally induced Osteoarthritis
College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University

12 male horses between 2-5 years were selected for clinical trial. Horses were randomly assigned to one of two groups: AIF and placebo. 3g of AIF were administered to experimental group daily during 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, change of the joint was evaluated by macroscopic, radiographic and histopathological assessment.

AIF treated group showed fast cartilage regeneration, and total legion area showed significantly smaller in AIF treated group in average than that of control group. Considering the results of the clinical trial, AIF is proven to have a great efficacy to prevent and cure for horse osteoarthritis.

| Packaging
Packing : 30g / 100g / 200g / 500g / 1kg / 5kg / 10kg / 20kg, aluminium foil bag

• Special packaging is available upon customer’s request.
• Optimum quality guaranteed at least two years if stored in originally closed bags under cool and dry conditions.

Anti Inflammation Factor

| AIF Equine
AIF Equine is a feed additive made from natural herbs extract for improving
joint health of horses. Contains 30g pack x 30

| Advantages of AIF Equine

• Reducing edema in joint
• Preventing pain, inflammation and cartilage/bone degeneration
• Improving joint health by nutrients supply

*12 male horses between 2-5 years were selected for clinical trial. Horses were randomly assigned to one of two groups: AIF and placebo. 3g of AIF were administered to experimental
group daily during 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, change of the joint was evaluated by macroscopic, radiographic and histopathological assessment.

The graph on the left shows radiographic features of the middle carpal and carpometacarpal joints in experimental and control group. Joint widths between distal radiocarpal bone and third carpal bone, and between distal third carpal bone and third metacarpal bone were evaluated, and the degree of joint width narrowing is more severe in control group as shown on the graph. It demonstrates good cartilage regeneration process in experimental group.

Both left and right joint showed significant higher grade in experimental group than that of control group in Safranin O and H&E stain, meaning good cartilage regeneration in joint. For EL ratio, the counting number in experimental group was significantly lower, which shows good level of articular cartilage regeneration degree.