NIE: What is the most important clinical study of (or review on) an herbal, algal or fungal-derived ingredient or formula has come out over the last couple of years?

Eng: A six-month randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated the sexual performance effects of supplementation with LJ100 Tongkat Ali in 45 middle-aged men with androgen deficiency of aging males (ADAM).

Erectile function demonstrated improvements in both interventions; however, the most significant results were obtained by men allocated to concurrent training + 200 mg of LJ100. Sexual satisfaction score significantly improved in supplement-only by 29 and 35 percent in training and supplement group who also reported a significant increase in sexual desire. The researchers concluded that a 200 mg LJ100 supplementation with concurrent training for six months significantly improved the erectile function of men with ADAM (Leitao, Maturitas).

A second published study of the same cohort examined the supplement’s effects on muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness. The researchers found the isokinetic peak torque of the knee extensors significantly increased in both training-only and training-supplement groups, while the isokinetic peak torque of knee flexion increased in the training-and-LJ100 group only. For all participants, testosterone levels were correlated with isokinetic peak torque of knee extension. There were also positive effects on heart rate. (Leitao, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice).

Levy: Taming chronic inflammation is an important factor for decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. In one 2021 randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial which was published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, scientists at Sweden’s Skåne University Hospital and Lund University found that a daily dose of Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) effectively reduced two key inflammatory biomarkers—interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Reducing IL-6 with AGE supplementation can play an important role in lowering cardiovascular risk since higher blood levels of this inflammatory biomarker trigger the production of CRP in the liver. This, in turn, fosters chronic artery-damaging inflammation that contributes to atherosclerosis and may increase the risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. Elevated IL-6 has also been independently associated with a greater risk of heart attack and stroke, heart failure, and all-cause mortality.

Pande: Sabinsa is always generating new science and applying new technologies in the field of natural products. At Sabinsa we are using super critical fluid extraction to produce spice extracts, among other methods.

In finished product manufacturing, formulating bilayer tablets is an excellent approach to give sustained released products with ingredient delivery optimized for their effect in separate layers. Gummies are also of great interest to the consumer base experiencing pill fatigue.

Chioffi: A USP study published in Nature in 2017 on the quality of 19 reishi mushroom products in the marketplace provided a blueprint for the testing and analysis of reishi products. Only five of 19 products were found to be genuine reishi mushroom. Another study published in 2016 in the Journal of AOAC exposed the extensive adulteration of mushroom products with cereal grains. This peer reviewed study demonstrated the value of beta-glucan testing using the Megazyme test. A simple way to evaluate mushroom products is to buy a bottle of iodine and perform a starch test. Mushrooms do not contain starch and a water solution of your material will stain a dark purple color on the addition of iodine if there is a carrier or predominance of starchy substrate.

Alimonti: A June 2022 phase II study from the UTHealth McGovern Medical School, in Houston, TX, demonstrated that AHCC (3 grams once daily) was effective in supporting the host immune system in clearing persistent high-risk HPV infections—the cancer causing kind. It was also well tolerated with no significant adverse side effects reported. This study has tremendous implications for the treatment of HPV and the potential prevention of HPV-associated cancers. We hope to see further studies on it.

NIE: For manufacturers and marketers, what one or two botanical ingredients or finished products are you most proud of, and why?

Alimonti: We’re proud of all of our botanical ingredients, but I will highlight three of them:

• ETAS, which won “Ingredient Idol” in the Brain Health category at SupplySide West 2022, is a patented asparagus extract that improves sleep quality and reduces stress by stimulating the production of Heat Shock Protein (HSP70), which is responsible for repairing cellular damage—it also supports improved cognitive function.

• Sirtmax—a recent 2021 study on Sirtmax, a proprietary extract of Kaempferia parviflora, commonly known as black turmeric, is very exciting. This study reveals that Sirtmax activates the Sirt1 gene—known as the longevity gene—much more effectively than does resveratrol. In addition, in 2022 we announced a new patent for Sirtmax in aiding dry eye.

• Bilberon—a recently-issued U.S. patent for improving stiff neck and shoulders and two published human clinical studies have positioned this bilberry extract ingredient, Bilberon, for a leading role in the e-sports market.

Pande: Curcumin C3 Complex is the most well-known brand with the most clinical studies and over 30 years of trust among consumers and researchers. It revolutionized the curcumin market and science. BioPerine is a natural bioavailability enhancer, a concept that supported the curcumin and several other herbal, vitamin, mineral and enzyme preparations by increasing their delivery in the body and optimizing their benefits. BioPerine black pepper extract is a very well-known branded ingredient in the supplement industry around the globe. BioPerine also brought forth the concept of bioavailability, almost 25 years ago, and many brands or unbranded curcumin are still trying and failing to create another ingredient to match BioPerine.

Chioffi: Nammex is the first and only company in the world to cultivate turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) on a commercial basis. While wildcrafting is commercially viable in Asia, foraged mushrooms suffer quality issues—from differing substrates, adulteration with look-alike species, as well as possible mold contaminants and heavy metals accumulation. Nammex avoids issues associated with wildcrafting by growing turkey tail on an enriched sawdust substrate in an optimal growth environment; therefore, Nammex mushrooms are free from contaminating molds and insects, contain lower heavy metals, and are correctly identified 100 percent of the time.

Turkey tail, which has been used as an immune system potentiator in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years, often grows wild in clusters on tree trunks and logs on both living and dead coniferous and deciduous trees. A small, thin-fleshed species with pores instead of gills, it can be found in temperate climatic zones all over the world. Although turkey tail can be cultivated on wood logs or sawdust, its small size and low overall yields have made commercial cultivation economically unfeasible until now.

Nammex continues to set standards in the functional mushroom category. From introducing organic mushroom extracts in 1998 and validating reishi triterpenes in the 2000s, to guaranteeing beta-glucan content in 2015 and cultivating a higher quality turkey tail mushroom in 2021.

Levy: We are extremely proud of our flagship ingredient Aged Garlic Extract. AGE has been the subject of more than 900 published scientific papers, many of which are randomized clinical trials showing its safety and efficacy. AGE also forms the basis of 22-plus condition-specific dietary supplements that blend this uniquely crafted aged garlic with various other botanicals and nutrients.

Swaroop: We are proud of upcycled herbal extract Prosprune for prostate health. The farmers in lower Himalayas cut the branches of prune trees to enhance the fruit development. The twigs have no value as timber or firewood and farmers used to burn it, creating smog. Our team has identified actives in the twigs and started collecting from local farmers to make extract.

Lau: I’m proud of the Nuherbs organic hibiscus project in Mexico, and our organic ginseng growing project in Northern China. Both of these products allow us to vertically integrate our herbal supply chain allowing us to offer seed to shelf offerings whether they be ingredients and/or finished products. And I hope to share a new one with you at the end of this year that we have been working on for the last several years.

NIE: Where do you see the herb industry headed, or where would you like to see it headed?

Chioffi: If we all had crystal balls the future would be much less exciting. I am excited about the traction and early impact of the regenerative farming movement which considers the recipe for success to come from nurturing the soil microbiome as opposed to supplementing and treating with isolated and often synthetic additives as with conventional modern agriculture. If what the experts say is true and we have less than 60 harvests left on the planet if we continue farming with chemicals, over tilling, mono cropping and the like, it would seem regeneration of our soils would be a sound, if not the only, wise decision. I’d like to see this trend continue.

Lau: As someone who has been emphasizing preserving the availability of botanicals for future generations my whole career, I’m glad to see that this has become a more overt subject in the industry. Those of us deeply involved with AHPA have shared observations for years about the impacts of climate change and over harvesting on the viability of botanical populations. Now we have more organizations, such as FairWild working on this directly, and at the same time consumers asking hard questions about companies sourcing practices around sustainability. So while there is a lot to be alarmed and concerned about looking ahead, at least the heads are out of the sand for a wider segment of the population, which is hopeful.

Steely: A continued focus on research on phytonutrients, with determination of specific constituents that contribute to health benefits. Focus on bioavailability. Stronger focus on identification testing.

Levy: I believe that the industry is stronger than ever. I also believe that the need for safe and effective botanical supplements is greater than in the past as consumers today face multiple health threats from a variety of factors, such as chronic illnesses and emerging pathogens.

Nair: The herb industry will continue to grow as the science evolves and more botanicals move into mainstream. Mushrooms are gaining awareness, and there is a vast opportunity to support the all-natural, benefits-driven supplements consumers are looking for. I would like to see it headed toward more science validated marketing, standardization and technologies that help convert ancient knowledge and wisdom into form factors suitable for our society today.

Swaroop: I would love to see the industry follow the three “S principles”—safety, science, and sustainability in everything it does to promote selfcare.

NIE: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Levy: Wakunaga of America has been providing consumers with safe and effective supplements for more than half a century, building on the tradition and core beliefs established by Mr. Wakunaga and Dr. Schnell. During that time, the company has consistently focused on organic and sustainable practices. These practices include our strict standards for sourcing our ingredients, our unique manufacturing process, and our eco-friendly and recyclable packaging. In addition, we place a great importance on the science showing the many ways AGE can effectively support consumer’s health. NIE

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