Background: Sanomucin by Helixor is a dietary supplement containing plant enzymes, lentil extract, vitamins, and selenium; According to authorized health-claims, biotin helps to maintain normal mucous membranes, while selenium and vitamin C support the body’s normal functions. Sanomucin might also be used during tumor and demanding therapies. Sanomucin is no medication against tumors and does not substitute an oncological therapy.

Experimental: By using cultured organ-specific cells (intestinal epithelial cells, IPEC-J2) and functional neutrophils (differentiated HL-60 cells), the effect of Sanomucin concentrations (100 to 500 µg/mL) on cell metabolism, regeneration, cell viability after oxidative stress and inflammation was investigated. The tested Sanomucin concentrations correspond to theoretically calculated exposure-related concentrations in the blood fluid after application of the recommended daily intake.

Results: Sanomucin stimulated the basal cell metabolism of intestinal epithelial cells in a dose-dependent and significant manner compared to untreated cells. At a concentration of 100 µg/mL the stimulation was 8.7 ± 7.0 %, at 250 µg/mL 16.0 ± 4.7 % and at 500 µg/mL 41.1 ± 13.3 % (n = 3). Related to the residual cell-free area at the end of the experiment, Sanomucin significantly stimulated epithelial cell regeneration by 41.1 ± 17.4 % at 100 µg/mL compared to the untreated controls, and by 28.2 ± 11.2 % at 250 µg/mL (n = 3). Hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress caused a decrease in cell viability/cell survival at concentrations > 1 mM in the culture medium. A significant increase in cell survival after application of Sanomucin by 23.7 ± 7.2 % at 100 µg/mL, by 39.3 ± 13.3 % at 250 µg/mL, and by 59.7 ± 9.4 % at 500 µg/mL was observed (n = 5). Finally, Sanomucin reduced the basal cell metabolism as well as radical generation by functional neutrophils in comparison to controls by 22.9 ± 7.1/22.9 ± 6.1 % at 100 µg/mL, 34.8 ± 10.1/35.4 ± 10.2 % at 250 µg/mL and 36.1 ± 11.4/36.1 ± 9.7 % at 500 µg/mL (n = 3). All data given are mean values ± standard deviations with a p ≤ 0.01 by using the two-tailed Mann-Wilcoxon-Whitney test).

Conclusions: The results presented here suggest that Sanomucin may contribute to supporting cellular responses associated with mucosal integrity in vitro.