Actovegin®: a biological drug for more than 5 decades

Abstract

Actovegin(®) is a biological drug manufactured from a natural source: it is a calf blood hemodialysate. Its therapeutic benefits stem from a variety of pharmacodynamic actions that can be summarized to a common goal, i.e. the enhancement of cellular metabolism; this results from an insulin-like activity mediated by Inositol-phospho-oligosaccharides. Actovegin(®) results in beneficial effects in several pathophysiological clinical settings including malfunction of the blood circulation and trophic disturbances in the brain, impairment of peripheral blood circulation and associated diseases, dermal transplants and acute and chronic wounds. Here, we give an overview of the pharmacodynamic actions of calf-blood hemidialysate and its beneficial effects in a variety of clinical settings.

Cognitive Disorder After Stroke

“…Молекулярный вес органических соединений составляет менее 5000 дальтон. Низкомолекулярный состав соединений в Актовегине исключает развитие прионных заболеваний, например болезни Крейцфельда -Якоба [37]. Актовегин воздействует непосредственно на клеточный метаболизм путем увеличения потребления кислорода и глюкозы, кото-рые особенно необходимы клеткам головного мозга, пере-водя тем анаэробный гликолиз на аэробное окисление глюкозы в митохондриях с образованием АТФ.…”

Actovegin Equals to Performance Enhancing Drug Doping: Fact or Fiction?

“…Its high standard of quality control and long 50-year history of clinical evidence has provided much evidence to support its efficacy [1]. Functioning in a similar vain to other calf blood derivatives, it can be compared to foetal bovine serum (FBS) which is well known for its established role in maintaining cell viability in in vitro tissue culture methods.…”

Current Perspectives in Post-stroke Cognitive Impairment

“…55 This treatment has been successfully used to treat stroke, traumatic brain injury and diabetic neuropathy. 56 Experience in VCI, however, is much more limited. In early clinical trials in the frequency of adverse events and discontinuation due safety concerns with Actovegin has been low and often comparable with placebo.…”