Tobacco leaf proteins

Tobacco leaf proteins refers to the complex mixture of proteins found within the leaves of the Nicotiana tabacum plant, the most abundant of which is ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), often constituting up to 50% of the soluble protein fraction [3, 12]. In a therapeutic context, these proteins are not a single molecular target like a specific receptor or enzyme, but rather serve as the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in botanical drug candidates such as NFL-101 [2, 6]. NFL-101 is a subcutaneous injection of tobacco leaf proteins currently in clinical development for smoking cessation, hypothesized to work through immunomodulatory mechanisms that reduce the urge to smoke and alleviate withdrawal symptoms [6]. Additionally, tobacco leaves are a major platform for molecular farming (biopharming), used to produce recombinant proteins like monoclonal antibodies and vaccines due to their high biomass and rapid growth [3]. Beyond their medicinal applications, these proteins are studied for their high nutritional value and potential use as food supplements once toxic alkaloids like nicotine are removed [1, 12].

Other names

Nicotiana tabacum leaf proteinsTobacco leaf extract proteinsFraction 1 proteinTobacco soluble leaf proteinTobacco RuBisCO

Desensitization of the immune response and reduction of neurological cravings associated with tobacco use [2, 6]