Layn launches antioxidant targeting inflammation and oxidative stress

16 Sep 2021 --- Layn Natural Ingredients has unveiled SophorOx, a natural antioxidant extract ingredient scientifically supported by a study to inhibit oxidative stress and support a healthy inflammation response.

Derived from Sophora japonica L, SophorOx is sustainably produced and fully traceable. This botanical ingredient includes select, synergistic polyphenols standardized to ≥ 90% flavonoids, including quercetin, rutin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, genistin and genistein.

“We are furthering the research and exploring the potential of polyphenols from naturally renewable sources such as Sophora japonica to expand the body of evidence needed to gather greater acceptance among the scientific community,” Jim Roza, chief scientific officer at Layn Natural Ingredients, tells NutritionInsight.

The in vivo study showed that oral administration of 500 mg of SophorOx per day for an average adult significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammation markers associated with high-intensity exercise.

Additionally, daily oral administration in animal subjects was shown to be safe, having no adverse effects in terms of feed intake, body weight gain, liver function, blood glucose levels or signs of toxicity.

A versatile antioxidant
SophorOx is well suited for use in human dietary supplements, sports nutrition and personal care applications, and pet supplements. It can also be used as a potent stand-alone ingredient or in combination with complementary ingredient formulations.

SophorOx is beneficial for several consumer segments, and it also targets various health concerns. For example, in active consumers and athletes, the strain on the body leads to oxidative stress, comments Collette Kakuk, vice president of global marketing at Layn Natural Ingredients.SophorOx is a botanical ingredient derived from Sophora japonica L.

“Antioxidants are increasingly popular with athletes and fitness enthusiasts to help minimize the impacts. SophorOx’s ability to support a healthy inflammation response can help active individuals through joint health support, as well as with exercise recovery. SophorOx is well suited for both pre-workout and post-workout applications.”

“Aging populations with disposable incomes seek preventative strategies to live longer, healthier lives. This presents opportunities for SophorOx in supporting joint health, inflammation, cognition, eye health, cardiovascular, skin and more,” adds Kakuk.

Supporting this, Innova Market Insights’ data reveals that 68 percent of senior consumers have concern over their health due to the COVID-19. They are seeking functional solutions to support healthy aging.

Also supported by SophorOx are gamers, workers and students as antioxidants can help maintain good vision and brain health, she explains.

The ingredients that are found in SophorOx and are beneficial for eye health are “primarily quercetin and rutin – by quenching free radicals that can adversely affect eye and heart health and also by supporting healthy blood flow to those regions,” details Roza.

Pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers
In a Vedic Lifesciences study, SophorOx was shown to inhibit 8-Isoprostane, a biomarker of lipid peroxidation, used as a marker of antioxidant deficiency and oxidative stress.

Vedic Lifesciences is a clinical research company that tests supplements and ingredients to ensure safety.

Also, the antioxidant ingredient obstructed malondialdehyde (MDA), derived from polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidation in the cells due to peroxidative processes. An increase in free radicals causes overproduction of MDA.Quercetin and rutin are found in SophorOx and support eye and heart health.

Additionally, SophorOx was shown to inhibit 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), produced during the repair of damaged DNA and considered an important marker for oxidative stress-induced tissue damage. C Reactive Protein (CRP), a marker of chronic systemic inflammation frequently used in cardiovascular risk assessment, was also inhibited.

SophorOx was also proven to inhibit Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6), which modulate pro-inflammatory cytokine production and cytokine produced in immune system responses, respectively.

“We developed SophorOx by looking at consumer trends and needs, including healthy agers and Millennials, who are increasingly seeking natural, preventative strategies to live longer, healthier lives, along with sports and active consumers who experience oxidative stress and are looking to natural solutions for post-workout healthy inflammation support,” explains Jim Roza, chief scientific officer at Layn USA.

Consumer health concerns rise
Consumers are increasingly seeking natural, preventative strategies to live longer, healthier lives, details Kakuk.

“Given the COVID-19 pandemic, health is a concern like never before, and consumers are aware of conditions such as oxidative stress, as well as chronic inflammation.”

Echoing this, Innova Market Insights’ data shows that there has been an increased consumer focus on the importance of healthy aging and maintaining a healthy lifestyle across all stages of life due to COVID-19.

“While unhealthy habits like smoking and eating junk food can cause oxidative stress, an imbalance can occur in active, healthy individuals for a variety of reasons such as the natural aging process, strenuous exercise injury or tissue trauma, eating processed foods as well as indoor and outdoor pollution,” Kakuk details.

“Antioxidants have broad appeal among consumers and are linked to preventative health and maintenance,” she concludes.

By Nicole Kerr