Reduction of the Deleterious Effects of Tobacco Smoking by the Induction of Phase 2 Enzymes by Nerf2

Abstract

The invention features a method for inhibiting or reducing the deleterious effects of tobacco smoking including increased incidence of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, various lung disorders and the oxidative effects. The method includes the incorporation of an effective amount of a compound or a standardized plant extract that is that comprises an inhibitor of antioxidant stress due to the induction of phase 2 enzymes regulated by Nerf2 into tobacco or a tobacco product.

1 . Tobacco or a tobacco containing product containing or having applied thereto an effective amount of an inhibitor of oxidative stress that activates phase 2 enzymes regulated by Nerf2 sufficient to prevent or reduce the deleterious effects on a mammal smoking the tobacco or tobacco product.  
   
   
       2 . Tobacco or a tobacco containing product according to  claim 1  wherein the inhibitor of oxidative stress that activates phase 2 enzymes regulated by Nerf2 inhibitor is Tashinone IIA or a diterpene derivative thereof which is an inhibitor of oxidative stress.  
   
   
       3 . A method for reducing the deleterious effects induced by tobacco smoking comprising incorporating an effective amount of a composition containing a inhibitor of oxidative stress that activates phase 2 enzymes regulated by Nerf2 into tobacco or a tobacco containing product prior to smoking the tobacco or tobacco product.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein the inhibitor of oxidative stress that activates phase 2 enzymes regulated by Nerf2 is incorporated into cigarette paper.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein the inhibitor of oxidative stress that activates phase 2 enzymes regulated by Nerf2 is incorporated into tobacco filler.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein the inhibitor of oxidative stress that activates phase 2 enzymes regulated by Nerf2 is incorporated as a separate ingredient into a tobacco containing product.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein the inhibitor of oxidative stress that activates phase 2 enzymes regulated by Nerf2 is Tanshinone IIA or a diterpene derivative thereof which is a inhibitor of oxidative stress.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the inhibitor of oxidative stress that activates phase 2 enzymes regulated by Nerf2 is a standardized plant extract containing a naturally occurring inhibitor of oxidative stress.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the inhibitor of oxidative stress that activates phase 2 enzymes regulated by Nerf2 is selected from the group consisting of phenolic antioxidants 2,3-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole and 1,2-dithiole-3-thione, isothiocyanates and oltipraz (4-methyl-5-[2-pyrazinyl]-1,2-dithiole-3-thione).