
Latest Science Re-Confirms Anti-inflammatory Role of Zanthin, FlexPro MD

Valensa’s Science team answered a reporter’s question about inflammation ingredient studies, published between 2000-2020, which have particular impact on healthy aging. Here’s their response:
Valensa International continues to be at the forefront of nutraceutical companies by looking at ways to expand our portfolio’s impact on inflammatory processes and chronic conditions that aid healthy aging. Beginning with the publication of the human clinical trial by Park JS, et al. on the ability of Zanthin® Natural Astaxanthin to decrease a DNA damage biomarker1, it was evident that Zanthin had an important physiological benefit. Park JS, et. al. studied young, healthy human subjects given a placebo or 2 mg or 8 mg astaxanthin per day for 8 weeks. The authors reported that both a 2 mg/day and 8 mg/day dose of Zanthin reduced inflammation status at 4 weeks, with a significant difference vs. placebo for both doses at 8 weeks. Even more important, both doses of Zanthin were significantly able to prevent cellular DNA damage by 4 weeks, with this effect confirmed again at 8 weeks (p<0.05 vs. placebo)1. This foundational study on Zanthin is critically important because it was carried out in young, healthy humans – a study population whose natural physiological processes are capable of achieving a desirable oxidant:antioxidant balance, controlling inflammation, and preventing DNA damage. Since the statistical significance of the outcome was so compelling, further research was undertaken.
In 2016 the publication by Park DR, et.al2 took the research further by looking at the impact of Zanthin on joint pain and function, using a specifically designed formulation to address inflammation of chronic osteoarthritis, FlexPro MD®. This patented joint health product is a proprietary combination of Zanthin Natural Astaxanthin, low molecular weight Flexonic® hyaluronic acid derived from fermentation, and krill oil delivery system with important fatty acids. The study by Dr. DR Park and colleagues investigated the anti-inflammatory effects in a cell culture and animal model experiments. In cell culture, significant reductions in pro-inflammatory cytokines and elevated levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines were detected, confirming the ability of Zanthin and FlexPro MD to be able to dramatically impact inflammation at the cellular level. In the mouse model of inflammatory arthritis, Park, et al. 2016 identified the anti-inflammatory effect of Zanthin and FlexPro MD inhibited the pain-perception cascade, indicating the molecular basis for pain relief.
A follow-up animal study with Zanthin and FlexPro MD has just been published, with exciting new findings3. In the 2020 study by Park MH, et al., the authors used a different rat osteoarthritis model to further expand the insights on Zanthin in pain and inflammation. This anti-osteoarthritis model found that taking Zanthin and FlexPro MD prevented joint pain and reduced the severity of articular cartilage damage, indicating both a protective effect and the ability to support the healing of tissue. This recent study also confirmed the 2016 Park DR, et al. study findings on the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and degenerative biomarkers associated with osteoarthritis progression. Few natural ingredients like Zanthin® Natural Astaxanthin have the rich scientific substantiation for cellular, mechanistic, and outcome substantiation for a role in the management of pain and inflammatory processes, and the benefit that can provide to the supplement user interested in healthy aging and quality of life.
- Park JS, Chyun JH, Kim YK, Line LL, Chew BP. Astaxanthin decreased oxidative stress and inflammation and enhanced immune response in humans. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2010;7:18.
- Park DR, Ko R, Kwon SH, et al. FlexPro MD, a mixture of krill oil, astaxanthin, and hyaluronic acid, suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory cytokine production through inhibition of NF-?B. J Med Food. 2016;19(12):1196?1203.
- Park MH, Jung JC, Hill S, et al. FlexPro MD®, a combination of krill oil, astaxanthin and hyaluronic acid, reduces pain behavior and inhibits inflammatory response in monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats. Nutrients. 2020;12(4):956.