Research Roundup #1: InnoSlim, Sabroxy, & ApresFlex
One of the things I enjoy most about the supplement industry is that there is a constant influx of new research to comb through whether it be new studies on existing ingredients or newer ingredients that are getting follow-up (hopefully human) studies to the initial slate of pre-clinical and in vitro trials.
Following are three short research recaps I've written over the past few weeks for Stack3D. If you enjoy this kind of supplement ingredient analysis, don't forget to hop over to the Supplement Engineer Insider where I go into greater detail about individual ingredients as well as new pieces of research.
So, without further adieu...
Study #1: Sabroxy Increases BDNF
Sabroxy® is a little-known nootropic from Sabinsa Corp., distributors of the widely used absorption-enhancer BioPerine®.
The first human clinical trial investigating Sabroxy® documented the unique extract’s cognitive-enhancing effects, particularly in the areas of memory, concentration, focus and recall.[1]
The Study
Published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, the 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 82 men and women aged 60–85 years, with self-reported impairments in memory or cognitive skills.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either Sabroxy® (500mg) or placebo. They were instructed to take one capsule, twice daily (morning and evening), with or without food, for 12 weeks.
Effectiveness of Sabroxy® was assessed via the Computerized Mental Performance Assessment System (COMPASS) -- a software application that helps assess episodic memory and speed of response. The men and women completed the COMPASS test at day 0 and at the end of the 12-week study.
The Results
Men and women who used Sabroxy® experienced significant improvements in the areas of:
- Episodic memory
- Immediate word recall
- Numeric working memory
- Faster rate of learning
Researchers also found that Sabroxy® supplementation increased BDNF levels in the serum by 27.13%, compared to 22.6% in placebo. BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) is an important protein in the brain that impacts the growth, development, and differentiation of neurons. It also plays a crucial role in long-term memory and neuronal plasticity -- how the nervous system processes, changes, and adapts to things it encounters.
Sabroxy was well-tolerated by the study participants and no serious adverse effects were reported with its use.
More About Sabroxy
Sabroxy is a standardized extract of Oroxylum indicum, which is standardized to contain:
- 10% oroxylin-A
- 15% baicalein
- 6% chrysin
Oroxylum indicum is found predominantly in China, Japan, and India, and it has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine where it was used in the treatment of multiple disorders.
Animal studies indicate that Sabroxy confers neuroprotection by[2]:
- Reducing oxidative stress
- Enhancing mitochondrial function
- Improving cognition[2]
Other research conducted on oroxylin-A (one of the main actives in Sabroxy demonstrates that it can inhibit dopamine reuptake, and has an antagonistic effect on the GABA-A receptor.[3,4] GABA is the body’s primary inhibitory (“downer”) neurotransmitter).
Sabroxy has a high safety profile with pre-clinical studies finding it safe and not associated with any toxic effects even at doses as high as 500mg/kg (equivalent to a 2,500mg human dose).
Study #2: PLT ApresFlex Reduces Joint Pain in Just 5 Days
Joint health is an often-overlooked aspect of sports nutrition…at least until it’s too late (i.e. after suffering an injury).
That’s a shame because there are a number of well-formulated joint support products specifically catered to hard-training individuals.
Boswellia serrata is a long-standing favorite for formulators. The tree grows in the dry mountainous regions of India, Northern Africa and the Middle East. Its resin is loaded with bioactives, the most well-known being boswellic acids, and has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat various chronic inflammatory diseases.
ApresFlex (aka Aflapin) is a clinically-backed extract of boswellia serrata extract, from PLT Health Solutions, the same company behind Zynamite, Zembrin, and RipFactor. Compared to generic boswellia extracts, which may not list a standardization, ApresFlex is standardized to 20% 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid.
A new clinical study was recently published in the Journal of the American Nutrition Association finding significant improvements in pain scores after just 5 days of use.[5]
70 individuals with knee osteoarthritis participated in the trial and were randomized to either receive placebo or 100mg ApresFlex daily for 30 days.
Researchers collected data on a host of metrics including WOMAC pain and physical function measurements. WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) is one of the premier assessments used in assessing pain, stiffness, and function in individuals with osteoarthritis.
Several other notable inflammatory and cartilage biomarkers were also documented, including c-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and MMP-3. FYI, the expression of MMP-3 protein is closely related to the cause of osteoarthritis.
65 individuals completed the trial, and researchers noted that ApresFlex provided pain-relief benefits beginning just 5 days after starting supplementation!
At the end of the 30-day study, significant reductions were also noted in joint stiffness as well as circulating levels of CRP, T (TNFα), and MMP-3. Individuals receiving ApresFlex also experienced pronounced improvements in joint mobility and function.
This is the third double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigating AprèsFlex and the second study to confirm significant improvements in joint comfort beginning after just five days of use.
Study #3: NuLiv InnoSlim Improves Blood Glucose & Cholesterol Levels
InnoSlim is a stimulant-free body recomposition ingredient developed by Nuliv Science, the same ingredient house behind the popular absorption enhancer, AstraGin, as well as the ATP enhancing, Senactiv.
InnoSlim is comprised of a unique blend of Panax notoginseng and Astragalus membranaceus, and early research on the ingredient highlighted a number of alluring benefits for those seeking to lose weight and improve body composition, including:
- Limiting glucose absorption in the gut
- Regulating blood sugar levels
- Suppressing appetite
- Encouraging fat burning
- Improving glucose uptake by skeletal muscle
- Enhancing fatty acid breakdown in adipocytes (fat cells)
Recently, the first human clinical study on InnoSlim was published, where a number of other notable health benefits were documented, particularly regarding cardiovascular health.[6]
The Study
12 individuals (>20 years old) took part in the 16-week randomized, double-blinded crossover trial and met the following eligibility criteria:
- Fasting blood glucose levels: 100–125mg/dL
- HbA1C: 5.8–6.4%
- Cholesterol 200–249 mg/dL
Since this was a crossover trial that means each subject was able to serve as their own control. The 16-week trial was broken out as follows:
- 6 weeks first phase
- 4 weeks washout period
- 6 weeks second phase
During the 6-week phase each participant would consume either placebo or 250mg InnoSlim.
The Results
At the end of the study, researchers found that (compared to placebo) 6 weeks of InnoSlim significantly reduced[6]:
- Blood glucose levels (10.1%)
- Triglycerides (31.06%)
- Small dense low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (19.96%)
Researchers also noted significant improvements in HDL-Cholesterol (11.78%), adiponectin (22.07%), and AMPK (12.72%). Note: Adiponectin is a hormone secreted by fat cells that activates AMPK, which subsequently inhibits gluconeogenesis and maintains the balance of blood glucose and lipids. Decreased adiponectin leads to reduced insulin sensitivity and a greater risk of obesity.
Based on these results, the team of researchers concluded that InnoSlim can be effective for reducing hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol).
What Do You Think?
Have you used Sabroxy, ApresFlex, or InnoSlim before?
If so, do you think these ingredients are beneficial?
Drop a comment below!
And, if you enjoy this kind of supplement ingredient analysis, don't forget to check out the Supplement Engineer Insider, where I go into greater detail about individual ingredients, including CDP-Choline, enfinity Paraxanthin, and more, as well as new pieces of research.
References
- Lopresti A L, Smith S J, Majeed M, & Drummond P D. (2021). Effects of an Oroxylum indicum Extract (Sabroxy®) on cognitive function in adults with self-reported mild cognitive impairment: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 558.
- Pondugula SR, Majrashi M, Almaghrabi M, Ramesh S, Abbott KL, et al. (2021) Oroxylum Indicum ameliorates chemotherapy induced cognitive impairment. PLOS ONE 16(6): e0252522. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252522
- Dela Pena, I. C., Young Yoon, S., Kim, Y., Park, H., Man Kim, K., Hoon Ryu, J., et al. (2013). 5,7-Dihydroxy-6-methoxy-4’-phenoxyflavone, a derivative of oroxylin a improves attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-like behaviors in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 715, 337–344. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2013.05.002
- Kim, D. H., Kim, S., Jeon, S. J., Son, K. H., Lee, S., Yoon, B. H., et al. (2008). The effects of acute and repeated oroxylin A treatments on Abeta(25–35)-induced memory impairment in mice. Neuropharmacology 55, 639–647. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2008.05.019
- Karlapudi V, Sunkara KB, Konda PR, Sarma KV, Rokkam MP. Efficacy and Safety of Aflapin®, a Novel Boswellia Serrata Extract, in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Short-Term 30-Day Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study [published online ahead of print, 2022 Feb 15]. J Am Nutr Assoc. 2022;1-10. doi:10.1080/07315724.2021.2014370
- Shen YC, Huang SC, Lin CP, et al. Anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic activities of Radix Astragali and Panax notoginseng extract in human participants: A randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial. J Biochem Biotech 2022;5(3):111