Sabinsa, a manufacturer, supplier, and marketer of herbal extracts and other dietary ingredients, has received three new patents in Canada, in addition to a Natural Products Number, bringing the total number of products it offers the Canadian marketplace with attached health claims to 37.
 
The first patent is for the invention of a water-soluble form of curcumin, which the company sells under the name uC3 Clear. The patent discloses a method of solubilizing curcuminoids using polyvinyl pyrrolidone and sodium bis (2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate. The method allows curcumin/curcuminoid mixtures to be soluble in water at more than 10-15% of weight by volume, which can allow curcumin to be featured in a wide range of functional beverages.
 
Another new patent is for a Thai ginger extract, specifically the compound (E)-4-(3’, 4’ Dimethoxyphenyl) but-1,3-diene (DMBPD), which was evidenced in a clinical trial to potentially have anti-tumorigenic activity in an in vitro study. According to Sabinsa, DMPBD has also been shown in in vitro studies to have potential anti-metastatic activity in pancreatic carcinoma cells, as it caused significant decreases in the expression of cell adhesion molecules in flow cytometric studies. This compound has been patented in the U.S., Australia, Russia, New Zealand, and Japan.
 
Lastly, the company was granted a patent in Canada, on the use of Olepent, a branded formula of cosmetic peptides, in maintaining water hydration. Sabinsa reports that studies have shown the ingredient can increase the expression of genes and associated proteins for improving skin barrier function in dehydrated human skin. “The idea of using peptides for cosmetic applications stems from the fact that the body has naturally occurring peptides that are instrumental in stimulating the healing process and controlling the signs of skin aging,” the company said. “One such peptide is the C-terminal fragment of collagen 1, which constitutes the peptide Lys-Thr-Thr-Lys-Ser and can stimulate the synthesis of collagen. Sabinsa’s R&D scientists linked this peptide with oleanolic acid, which has beneficial pro-aging effects.”
 
Sabinsa also obtained an NPN for the Canadian Natural Health Products market with the claims, “provides antioxidants for maintenance of good health,” and “used in herbal medicine to help relieve joint inflammation.”
 
“Our commitment to research and development is continuing to bring innovations that consumers can soon enjoy,” Sabinsa founder and chairman Dr. Muhammed Majeed said. “These patents provide the added assurance that low quality copycats won’t easily disrupt the marketplace, which protects our customers.”