A Boswellia serrata ingredient marketed as AprèsFlex by PLT Health Solutions was positively associated with self-reported pain scores and biomarkers related to joint health and function in a group of osteoarthritis patients.
 
A study published in the Journal of the American Nutrition Association found that those who took the supplement began experiencing significant improvements in reported pain scores and biomarker analysis at a dose of just 100 mg per day. The study was authored by Vasu Karlapudi, Krishna Bhagavan Sunkara, Purna Rajeswari Konda, Kadainti V. Sarma, and Meher Prasanna Rokkam.
 
According to Seth Flowerman, president and CEO of PLT Health Solutions, this new study further builds on the existing data that AprèsFlex can effectively support joint health.
 
“When it comes to mobility, there can be a disconnect between what consumers want and what existing solutions deliver. Too often, natural joint and muscle health solutions require large doses that take weeks or even months to show improvements – and the science backing these ingredients doesn’t support what consumers are looking for. That is one of the reasons we continually work to understand things like mechanism of action and to develop quality science that can support strong messaging,” he said. “At PLT, we are working to deliver mobility solutions, and to make these solutions available for people of all ages and walks of life.”
 
Study Details
 
In the present study, researchers saw significant improvements across the 30-day study duration in: the Visual Analog Score (VAS); the Lequesne Algofunctional Index (LFI); The Western Ontario and Mcmaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index; and the serum biomarkers MMP3, TNF, hsCRP, COMP, CPII, and C2C.
 
The study showed that AprèsFlex was linked to significant improvement in all pain and physical function scores by day five of the study. Post-trial, VAS, LFI, WOMAC pain, WOMAC stiffness, WOMAC function, and total WOMAC scores decreased in the AprèsFlex group by 45%, 40.9%, 44.4%, 66.3%, 44.4%, and 48%, respectively.
 
“We now have three double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials that validate the efficacy of AprèsFlex, and two demonstrating improvements as early as five days, at a low dose. These outcomes support our customers’ “fast-acting” claims for their products containing AprèsFlex. At PLT Health Solutions, we are continually evaluating our existing science and conducting new research that enables our customers to offer strong messaging while building trust with their own customers,” said Jeremy Appleton, director of medical and scientific affairs for PLT.
 
In Combination Formulas
 
In addition to this new study, ingredient company Bioiberica announced the completion of an open-label study in June which combined AprèsFlex with its Collavant n2 type-II collagen complex which further demonstrated five-day efficacy of the ingredient at a dose of 100 mg daily. “The Karlapudi study, along with the new study announced by Bioiberica, continues to strengthen the evidence that AprèsFlex can rapidly improve people’s lives.”
 
The Formulation
 
AprèsFlex is a patented combination of two proprietary extracts derived from Boswellia serrata gum resin, launched in 2013. The oral bioavailability of a compound called AKBA from AprèsFlex is significantly higher than that of other commercially-available Boswellia extracts, which allows for a lower daily dose with enhanced efficacy.
 
In joint health products, AprèsFlex is used often as a standalone ingredient, but also in combination with other ingredients. It has been the subject of seven pre-clinical studies and three published human clinical trials.