Pharmactive reveals edible botanical complex for immunity
The new botanical combo, named Isenolic Complex, is composed of Pharmactive's Isenolic olive leaf extract (Olea europaea L) and ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) formulated to tackle cold and flu symptoms, including throat irritations, and coughs.
The water-soluble complex can be incorporated into a range of formats, including beverages, syrups, shots, candies, and chewables.
The Isenolic component of the formula is standardised to 4% elenolic acid - the key bioactive of olive leaves. This compound has a history or scientific studies and in vitro tests demonstrating its capacity to help curb viral life cycles and support the immune system. Isenolic was shown in a recent study to suppress 65% of influenza-A virus activity after infection, in vitro in an especially sensitive cell line.
Ribwort plantain boasts a source of phenylethanoids, a phenolic compound widely distributed in traditional Chinese medicines, coupled with a dense concentration of bioavailable verbascosides, which exhibit wide biological activities including free radical scavenging.
Alberto Espinel, manager of strategic R&D in active and functional natural ingredients for Pharmactive, says these two phytochemicals have exhibited multifaceted beneficial capabilities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, tissue-healing, and antibacterial activity against a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative pathogenic bacterial strains, including Streptococcus pneumonia.
“Plantain is a wild-grown, nutritious leafy vegetable that has been revered as a highly valuable medicinal food for centuries," he says. "It carries a long tradition of safe use for treating lung congestion and dry irritated coughs and is typically consumed as a warm tea concoction or hot broth. In addition to the natural helpful compounds, the leaves also contain gums that provide a soothing cough-suppressant and anti-inflammatory effect on the lower respiratory tract.”
Julia Diaz, head of marketing, adds that the union of two classic botanicals in one synergistic formula provides an all-encompassing solution for actively addressing certain cold and flu symptoms.
She says: “It combines immune support with tissue repair properties to effectively alleviate throat irritations and mucus build-up and is perfectly suited for consumers desiring a natural agent that can target uncomfortable flu symptoms. It also answers shoppers’ demands for more versality in delivery of active ingredients.”
Isenolic olive leaf extract is locally sourced from olive trees grown in Mediterranean fields and is extracted under a controlled process that the firm says ensures the highest purity and potency while the plantain leaves are supplied by trusted farmers in Europe.
This synergistic botanical launch comes just months after Pharmactive launched its olive leaf extract for immune system support.
