Kemin's Neumentix nootropic granted European patent for neuron growth
The patent, which is the fourth granted for this proprietary spearmint extract, pertains to Spain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Neumentix is a polyphenol-rich ingredient derived from clonal lines of spearmint. It contains more than 50 phenolic compounds, including rosmarinic, salvianolic and lithospermic acids.
The rate of neurogenesis in the hippocampus has been found to decrease with age, stress, sleep deprivation and other factors affecting cognitive performance.
Previous research suggests that the phenolic complex in Neumentix promotes new neuron growth in the hippocampus, which can improve the ability to learn, manage information and react.
"This patent confirms the novelty of research findings on Neumentix’s ability to grow new neurons in the brain,” explains Brenda Fonseca, Global Technical Services Lead, Kemin Human Nutrition and Health.
“Our research has indicated that Neumentix, sourced from patented plants and characterized by its phenolic complex, works to nourish the neurons in the brain and may increase new neural growth in specific areas of the brain, providing an important source of neuronutrition to fuel brain performance in healthy adults.”
The firm asserts that Neumentix acts on neural tissues in six key ways: decreasing oxidative stress, reducing inflammatory markers, increasing neurotrophin levels, protecting neuronal cells, elevating neurotransmitter levels, and promoting new neuronal growth.
"Delivering high-quality, unique, patented and science-backed ingredients is extremely important to Kemin, because our customers provide supplements, foods and beverages that help improve the quality of life for those around the world," adds Fonseca.
"Backed by over 19 peer-reviewed scientific publications covering clinical and preclinical research, as well as spearmint plant features, Neumentix is a great choice for manufacturers looking to formulate with safe, sustainable and scientifically backed brain health ingredients to help promote new neuronal growth.”
Research
Scientists from Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine previously reported that Neumentix helped improve or restore cognitive and motor performance of mice following a mid-brain ischemic stroke. Animals who received the spearmint extract before and after the procedure scored better in a sensory-motor functional assessment (“corner test”) and presented less motor impairment than control animals.
Additional analysis of brain tissue showed that Neumentix protected neurons by reducing the expression of markers of oxidative stress (4-HNE, CML, 8-OHdG) and inflammation (Iba-1, MCP-1, TNF-a). These markers are over expressed following a stroke and may worsen brain damage.
The spearmint extract improved the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, according to data published in Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Current Neurovascular Research.
A study funded by Kemin and published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition in 2019, found that 90 days of supplementation with 900 mg per day of Neumentix was associated with significant improvements in reaction time to stimuli, mental focus and hand-eye, foot-eye coordination.
Led by Paul Falcone of Kemin (he was with the MusclePharm Sports Science Institute at the time the study was conducted), the study found that, in a sample of 142 young, healthy men and women participants in the Neumentix group showed improved reaction time in a stationary test of choice reaction performance as early as 7 days, while improvements in hit rate in both stationary and multi-directional choice reaction performance testing were observed at 30 days. The improvements were still present at 90 days, said the researchers.
Also funded by Kemin, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in 2018 found participants who took 900 mg of spearmint showed a 15% improvement in quality of working memory performance compared to placebo.
