Arjuna Natural alleviates acute pain with new botanical synergies
19 Aug 2020 --- Arjuna Natural is pioneering acute musculoskeletal pain alleviation with the launch of Rhuleave-K. The synergistic botanical blend is clinically supported to provide pain relief as quickly as within 2.4 hours, which is comparable to popular over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, such as acetaminophen (paracetamol). Targeting consumers looking for natural solutions to acute pain alleviation, Rhuleave-K addresses the gap in demand of this multi-billion dollar industry.
“Pain relief is an eternal quest and this has been a focus area for many researchers. For us, providing a fast acting natural pain relief was the target. Natural products including those with the principal extracts of turmeric and Boswellia have been used across the world and our own clinically proven ingredients are a leader in many formulations,” Dr. Benny Antony, Joint Managing Director at Arjuna Natural, tells NutritionInsight.
Importantly, certain botanical ingredients only provide relief in a matter of weeks, while consumers look for as-soon-as-possible pain alleviation. The breakthrough for Arjuna was the invention of the SPEED Technology, a proprietary manufacturing technology that differentiates itself in causing the ingredients to act fast, thus giving the fast action that Rhuleave-K provides. The botanical blend is a high-dissolution liquid composition comprising turmeric (Curcuma longa) and frankincense (resinous extract of Boswellia serrata), combined in a black sesame oil base. 
Rhuleave-K targets acute musculoskeletal pain alleviation.“The key aspect is that SPEED Technology can have applications to provide fast action in a wide range of situations. It could be a path breaker to more innovations in the future,” Dr. Antony maintains.
The key ingredients for pain relief
Curcumin is an extensively studied natural compound, especially for relieving pain and inflammation. It has demonstrated ability to exert a broad spectrum of biological activity for modulating inflammatory signaling pathways. The analgesic activity of Boswellia serrata extract also has been identified in several studies, particularly its positive effect on joint tenderness in cases of osteoarthritis.
Arjuna Natural had previously teased the launch for Rhuleave-K when speaking to NutritionInsight on the rising trend of Ayurvedic ingredients in nutraceuticals. Dr. Benny Antony shared at the time that musculoskeletal pain such as neck, back, shoulder and tennis elbow have been on the rise, primarily due to lifestyle, stress and exercise-related injuries. The first line of treatments are the over-the-counter analgesics, which generally are safe, but long-term use does come with adverse effects.
The curcumin and sesame oil ingredients are sourced from partner farmers under a rigorous process that ensures purity and efficacy. Boswellia serrata sustainably provides employment and boosting livelihoods to many marginal communities in India. The liquid, fat-soluble formula can be readily integrated into soft gels, liquid capsules or syrups.
Research strides
Rhuleave K’s analgesic activity was demonstrated in a randomized, active, controlled, open-label at the Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center in Bangalore, India. The study involved 88 healthy subjects with acute musculoskeletal pain who were randomized to receive 1,000 mg per day of Rhuleave-K or 1,000 mg of acetaminophen.
Results revealed a positive response of pain relief comparable to acetaminophen, without risks of side effects or interactions with other medicines. The onset of analgesia was experienced in about one hour following administration.
The study also showed a significant reduction in pain, irrespective of intensity, on a similar level to acetaminophen. Rhuleave-K was equally effective as acetaminophen in reducing the sensory pain but was superior to the drug in reducing the emotional side effects of pain. Moreover, Rhuleave-K’s curcumin component has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory capacity. Toxicity studies show that Rhuleave-K is safe, even in doses 11 times the recommended daily dosage.
The turbulence of this year has been caused by possibly the largest health scare humanity has faced in a century.“These studies have shown what we already knew, but is now there for the whole world to see. With this in hand, we are sure that the time has come to release the product to a wider world. The launch has been close to a year in making while we were building on the layers of assurance that we thought were fundamental to the Arjuna philosophy of putting efficiency, science and safety first,” affirms Dr. Antony.
2020: A “turbulent” year
The turbulence of this year has been caused by possibly the largest health scare humanity has faced in a century, says Dr. Antony. “Tragic as it may seem, this crisis has also forced the world to sit up and notice some glaring gaps in the priorities for something as fundamental as health.”
“Across the world, concerned governments, citizens and interest groups are focusing on the importance of health infrastructure. There is also a need to maintain healthy practices, and to ensure the immunity of populations as well as personal health care. This has also brought into focus the need to be healthy in the most natural way. This has [resulted in a boom] for botanicals as consumers want to improve their health naturally, which more often than not turns the focus to botanicals,” he continues.
With this trend still evolving, Arjuna Natural has witnessed heightened demand for its turmeric extract BCM-95 (Curcugreen) and high-potency ashwagandha extract Shoden.
By Anni Schleicher
