After securing similar patents in Europe, Malaysia, and South Africa, ingredient supplier Activ’Inside announced that it has been awarded a patent for its saffron ingredient, Safr’Inside. The ingredient has been clinically studied for its mechanism of action on serotonin, and has been utilized in dietary supplements targeting stress management, sleep, menopause, premenstrual syndrome, and digestion.
 
The patent, issued on February 28, protects the composition and dosage of safranal, as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the encapsulated extract.
 
“Obtaining this patent is a new official recognition of the high added value of Safr’Inside, our encapsulated saffron extract featuring a very high safranal content of 0.2% by HPLC” said Benoit Lemaire, CEO of Activ’Inside.
 
Safr’Inside uses a unique encapsulation technology called Techcare, which helps to protect the saffron from alterations and preserves the native composition in order to achieve the plant’s full spectrum.
 
While saffron has been used in traditional medicine for an estimated 3,500 years, the company is supporting research in order to demonstrate the mechanisms of action behind the spice’s reported benefits. The company has conducted seven total studies on Safr’Inside, including in vivo, ex-vivo, and clinical studies, all of which have demonstrated that the ingredient modulates serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in stress, sleep, premenstrual syndrome, menopause, and digestive function. The company has invested $3.5 million in studies which are presently underway.