Cyvex extends brain health range with Cognisetin

08-Jun-2010 - Last updated on 09-Jun-2010 at 12:24 GMT

Related tags Brain

Cyvex Nutrition has launched a fisetin-based ingredient with benefits for long-term memory, as the Irvine, California company extends it brain ingredient range.

The ingredient Cognisetin is based on the flavonoid fisetin, present naturally in fruits and vegetables including strawberries, and has been shown to stimulate the signaling pathways that enhance long-term memory.

Cognisetin is the result of an agreement between Cyvex Nutrition and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Cyvex has licensed the Salk Institute's patent covering fisetin to enhance memory and has exclusive distribution rights for the ingredient, which is available worldwide in powdered form.

The ingredient compliments the company’s existing range. Matt Phillips, president of Cyvex Nutrition, told NutraIngredients-USA.com: “Cognisetin joins Cyvex's BioVinca, a proprietary extract of the periwinkle plant, which has been shown to support brain functions such as concentration and memory due to its overall neuroprotective properties, as well as its ability to enhance cerebral blood flow.”

Science

According to the company, the ingredient’s benefits extend beyond its antioxidant potential, with in vitro data showing it can pass the blood-brain barrier.

The ingredient has been the studied by the Salk Institute, with the results from animal studies published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS, 2006, Vol. 44, pp. 16568) and Genes & Nutrition (2009, Vol. 4, pp. 297-307). “The Salk Insitute has not performed any studies in humans yet, only in animal studies,” said Phillips. “Cyvex is currently exploring some opportunities to perform human clinical studies in the future.”

The Salk Institute research has reported that fisetin may reduce overactivity in the brain and spinal cord-specific immune defenses that could contribute to the declines in cognitive performance that occur naturally with age. Results from the animal studies showed that the efficacious dose of between 50 and 150 milligrams per day for an average human adult.

Cognisetin is currently intended for use in supplements, said Phillips, and the ingredient does not have GRAS status for use in food and beverages. “We may look at line extensions in the future; however, for the time being we are focused on supplements,” he added.

"Nutritional supplements for cognitive enhancement grew 122 percent from 2002 to 2008 and exceed $300 million in sales, and we expect to see this number continue to grow as the baby boomer population ages," stated Phillips.