Israeli Startup Partners with Strainprint to Study Cannabis and Endometriosis
Around the world, approximately 180 million women suffer from endometriosis, a painful condition in which tissue from the uterine lining migrates to other organs in the body.
The displaced tissue continues to act normally in the sense that it thickens and breaks down then bleeds with each menstrual cycle but with no way for the tissue to exit the body it remains and causes irritation and scarring. Often, this leads to pain in the pelvis and surrounding areas and potentially to fertility problems.
Symptoms of Endometriosis Include:
Painful periods
Pain during intercourse
Painful bowel movements
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Constipation
Nausea
Bloating
Infertility
Excessive bleeding during menstruation
Causes of Endometriosis
Currently, there is no known cause for the condition although some members of the medical community speculate that genetics and hormones may play a role, also issues with menstration such as when menstrual blood enters the fallopian tubes. Embryonic cell growth is another potential factor, this is when embryonic cells lining the abdomen and pelvis develop into endometrial tissue within those cavities.
There is no single test physicians use to diagnose endometriosis so it can take years to receive a diagnosis, further confusion can arise when the condition is confused with or includes IBS
Clinical Research is Needed
Lumir Lab and Gynica, an Israeli start-up specializing in cannabis research will work with patient data provided by Canada’s Strainprint Technologies Ltd. to develop a cannabis based treatment. According to Gynica, after the human brain, a woman’s reproductive system houses the most endocannabinoid receptors in the human body.
By providing clinical validation, analysis, custom product formulations, cannabinoid and terpene profiling, Lumir Lab intends to set the international standard for clinically proven cannabis treatments.
"Endometriosis remains one of the most misdiagnosed and least understood medical conditions, and currently, there is no cure," said Professor Moshe Hod, President of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tel Aviv University medical school. "Strainprint's early observational studies show that medical cannabis treatment has a positive effect on symptoms related to endometriosis, but much more research is required. Our objective is to identify which active cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, in relative combination, provide the most effective relief, reduce pain and prevent reoccurrence."
Gynica Senior scientist, Dr. Sari Prutchi Sagiv says "The combination of Strainprint's big data analytics combined with Gynica's scientific team and clinical research capabilities create a unique and innovative approach for providing evidence-based products to patients worldwide, and moreover for women who are under-treated by current solutions."
The study is expected to run until the second quarter of 2019.