Pharmacology

USP commentary sounds safety, quality alarm on delta-8 THC

03-Dec-2021 By Hank Schultz

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) has published a commentary raising potential safety and quality control concerns about the delta-8 THC products flooding the market. The document also raised issues with other cannabinoids that are being isolated...

Karallief finds statistically significant benefits for liver health blend

30-Nov-2021 By Hank Schultz

Indian/American company Karallief has released research results that shows an Ayurvedic herbal blend it has developed improves liver health in subjects with mild to moderate markers of liver distress.

CBD encapsulation and dual delivery: Researchers say new process significantly increases short-term bioavailability

20-Jan-2021 By Gary Scattergood

Researchers in Australia say they have been able to significantly increase the short-term bioavailability of cannabidiol (CBD) in the blood and brain thanks to a new encapsulation technique, and the combined delivery with a ‘absorption enhancer’ - Deoxycholic...

Swisse marks return to US market with launch of ‘jelly’ supplements

01-Oct-2019 By Hank Schultz

Swisse Wellness has capped its return to North America with a line of ‘jelly’ dietary supplements that are specific to the US market.

Bias inherent in company funded research calls value of evidence into question, critic maintains

01-Oct-2019 By Hank Schultz

The results of company funded research are so predictable that the value of the studies is greatly reduced, a prominent critic of the practice says.

Designs For Health launches health aging product based on annatto derivative

24-Sep-2019 By Hank Schultz

Practitioner channel specialist Designs For Health has launched what it believes will be a strong contender in the healthy aging category with Annatto-GG, which is an offshoot of natural vitamin E manufacture.

Hemp market’s rapid evolution complicates business planning, expo attendees told

02-Apr-2019 By Hank Schultz

The hemp industry is advancing so rapidly that the timeline of decades of other sectors is being compressed into just years, attendees at a recent trade show were told.

Paper on history of herbal fertility aids points to need for further research, expert says

24-Jul-2018 By Hank Schultz

A new study looks at historical herbal fertility treatments used in North America as a way to shed light on what might be worth further research today, as well as elucidate what herbs women are already using behind the scenes.

Boswellia oleogum resin prone to adulteration, new bulletin outlines

11-Jul-2018 By Adi Menayang

The botanical Boswellia has been used for its anti-inflammatory properties for millennia, but it’s not uncommon to find some products today labeled as Boswellia to skimp on the amount of the botanical or to substitute in a less-researched form.

Valensa to use state seal to help shine light on saw palmetto quality issues

21-May-2018 By Hank Schultz

Valensa International has fixed on a certification from the Florida Department of Agriculture as a way to highlight the special properties of saw palmetto and the quality issues that surround the botanical.

Special Edition: Latin America

Cultural factors restricted growth of Amazonian ingredients, experts say

21-May-2018 By Hank Schultz

While botanical ingredients from the Amazon are key elements of the international trade, their growth has been stunted by cultural and environmental factors peculiar to the region, experts say.

New Zealand hunger-suppressant supplement calocurb enters US market. Can it overcome the category's stigma?

21-May-2018 By Adi Menayang

A supplement containing a proprietary hop flower extract from New Zealand is entering the US market, positioned for weight management through appetite control.

What are some botanicals with strong science supporting their cognitive benefits? Researchers explore in scientific review

11-May-2018 By Adi Menayang

Some phytochemicals and botanicals have 'very promising' evidence for combating cognitive decline, according to a new systematic review.

BASF bids $823m for GSK omega-3 supplier Pronova Biopharma

21-Nov-2012 By Gareth Macdonald

BASF has made a bid for Pronova Biopharma ASA, underlining its intention to become the dominant player in the pharmaceutical grade omega-3 API market.