NCT05937802

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to explore the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of a novel nutraceutical product (commercial name Forza™️), consisting of the plant osmotin protein, in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS). The potential effect on brain metabolism and microstructure will be evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed six months before starting treatment, at baseline, and after one and six months of treatment. At the same timepoints, electrophysiology, neurofilaments (NfL) quantification, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and clinical assessments will be performed.

Trial Health

43
At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
50

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2023

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
unknown

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 2, 2023

Completed
5 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

May 22, 2023

Completed
2 months until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 10, 2023

Completed
6 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 2, 2024

Completed
1 year until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 2, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

July 10, 2023

Status Verified

June 1, 2023

Enrollment Period

1 year

First QC Date

May 22, 2023

Last Update Submit

June 30, 2023

Conditions

Keywords

Osmotin

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Incidence and severity of treatment-related adverse events after 1 month of therapy.

    1 month (after 1 month of treatment).

  • Incidence and severity of treatment-related adverse events after 6 months of therapy.

    6 months (after 6 months of treatment).

Secondary Outcomes (13)

  • Change in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).

    12 months (6 month before starting treatment, at baseline and both after one month and six months of treatment)

  • Change in Timed 25 Foot Walk (T25FW).

    12 months (6 months before starting treatment, at baseline and both after one month and six months of treatment)

  • Change in 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS12).

    12 months (6 months before starting treatment, at baseline and both after one month and six months of treatment)

  • Change in Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT).

    12 months (6 months before starting treatment, at baseline and both after one month and six months of treatment)

  • Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA).

    12 months (6 months before starting treatment, at baseline and both after one month and six months of treatment)

  • +8 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (1)

Osmotin

EXPERIMENTAL

Administration of a nutraceutical supplement provided in capsules, that consists of lyophilised and pulverised kiwi leaves from bioengineered kiwi (Actinidia Deliciosa) plants overexpressing the tobacco protein Osmotin.

Dietary Supplement: Osmotin

Interventions

OsmotinDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Oral administration for 6 months of 7 capsules per day (4 in the morning and 3 in the evening) for a daily dosage of 5 grams.

Also known as: FORZA™️
Osmotin

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 70 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Signed written informed consent
  • Diagnosis of progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS)
  • Expanded Disability Status Scale EDSS ≤ 6.5

You may not qualify if:

  • Contraindications to MRI
  • Pregnancy
  • HIV positivity
  • Severe renal, hepatic, oncological, hematological and psychiatric diseases

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino

Genova, 16132, Italy

RECRUITING

Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Sant'Andrea

Roma, 00189, Italy

RECRUITING

Related Publications (30)

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    PMID: 28993734BACKGROUND
  • Badshah H, Ali T, Kim MO. Osmotin attenuates LPS-induced neuroinflammation and memory impairments via the TLR4/NFkappaB signaling pathway. Sci Rep. 2016 Apr 20;6:24493. doi: 10.1038/srep24493.

    PMID: 27093924BACKGROUND
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  • Neumeier M, Weigert J, Schaffler A, Wehrwein G, Muller-Ladner U, Scholmerich J, Wrede C, Buechler C. Different effects of adiponectin isoforms in human monocytic cells. J Leukoc Biol. 2006 Apr;79(4):803-8. doi: 10.1189/jlb.0905521. Epub 2006 Jan 24.

    PMID: 16434692BACKGROUND
  • Song H, Chan J, Rovin BH. Induction of chemokine expression by adiponectin in vitro is isoform dependent. Transl Res. 2009 Jul;154(1):18-26. doi: 10.1016/j.trsl.2009.04.003. Epub 2009 May 9.

    PMID: 19524870BACKGROUND
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  • Hietaharju A, Kuusisto H, Nieminen R, Vuolteenaho K, Elovaara I, Moilanen E. Elevated cerebrospinal fluid adiponectin and adipsin levels in patients with multiple sclerosis: a Finnish co-twin study. Eur J Neurol. 2010 Feb;17(2):332-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2009.02701.x. Epub 2009 Jun 15.

    PMID: 19538214BACKGROUND
  • Piccio L, Cantoni C, Henderson JG, Hawiger D, Ramsbottom M, Mikesell R, Ryu J, Hsieh CS, Cremasco V, Haynes W, Dong LQ, Chan L, Galimberti D, Cross AH. Lack of adiponectin leads to increased lymphocyte activation and increased disease severity in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Eur J Immunol. 2013 Aug;43(8):2089-100. doi: 10.1002/eji.201242836. Epub 2013 Jun 7.

    PMID: 23640763BACKGROUND
  • Devorak J, Mokry LE, Morris JA, Forgetta V, Davey Smith G, Sawcer S, Richards JB. Large differences in adiponectin levels have no clear effect on multiple sclerosis risk: A Mendelian randomization study. Mult Scler. 2017 Oct;23(11):1461-1468. doi: 10.1177/1352458516681196. Epub 2016 Dec 7.

    PMID: 27903934BACKGROUND
  • Coban A, Duzel B, Tuzun E, Tamam Y. Investigation of the prognostic value of adipokines in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2017 Jul;15:11-14. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2017.04.006. Epub 2017 Apr 20.

    PMID: 28641765BACKGROUND
  • Kvistad SS, Myhr KM, Holmoy T, Benth JS, Wergeland S, Beiske AG, Bjerve KS, Hovdal H, Midgard R, Sagen JV, Torkildsen O. Serum levels of leptin and adiponectin are not associated with disease activity or treatment response in multiple sclerosis. J Neuroimmunol. 2018 Oct 15;323:73-77. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2018.07.011. Epub 2018 Jul 24.

    PMID: 30196837BACKGROUND
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    PMID: 30300462BACKGROUND
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    PMID: 33486671BACKGROUND
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  • Miele M, Costantini S, Colonna G. Structural and functional similarities between osmotin from Nicotiana tabacum seeds and human adiponectin. PLoS One. 2011 Feb 2;6(2):e16690. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0016690.

    PMID: 21311758BACKGROUND
  • Bhattacharya A, Saini U, Joshi R, Kaur D, Pal AK, Kumar N, Gulati A, Mohanpuria P, Yadav SK, Kumar S, Ahuja PS. Osmotin-expressing transgenic tea plants have improved stress tolerance and are of higher quality. Transgenic Res. 2014 Apr;23(2):211-23. doi: 10.1007/s11248-013-9740-5. Epub 2013 Aug 27.

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  • Costa V, Aluan K, Schiavetti I, Bason C, Vigo T, Leveraro E, Cabona C, Prada V, Costagli M, Boccia VD, Ruggiero B, Brichetto G, Salvetti M, Sormani MP, Mancardi G, Inglese M, Battaglia MA. Study protocol: Exploratory trial of Forza, an osmotin-based nutraceutical as adjuvant for the treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis. PLoS One. 2025 Feb 27;20(2):e0311214. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311214. eCollection 2025.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Multiple SclerosisDemyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNSAutoimmune Diseases of the Nervous SystemNervous System DiseasesDemyelinating DiseasesAutoimmune DiseasesImmune System DiseasesChronic DiseaseDisease AttributesPathologic ProcessesPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Matilde Inglese

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
NA
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
SINGLE GROUP
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Clinical Professor, Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

May 22, 2023

First Posted

July 10, 2023

Study Start

January 2, 2023

Primary Completion

January 2, 2024

Study Completion

January 2, 2025

Last Updated

July 10, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-06

Locations