HP Ingredients has been granted a patent in the European Union for NeuroActin, a specific extract of Andrographis paniculata that targets cognitive support
 
The patent application, titled, “Treatment of Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Impairment with Andrographolides,” details studies demonstrating efficacy of andrographolide (ANDRO), a labdane diterpene found in A. paniculata, preventing and reversing the neuropathology in two aged set of mice model of AD.
 
In both study populations, ANDRO was shown to recover spatial memory functions correlated with synaptic plasticity and synaptic proteins. ANDRO also decreased tau phosphorylation around the oligomeric species and reduced the levels of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) changing the onogeny of Aβ plaques altering the Aβ levels in the hippocampus and cortex in six-month-old mice. ANDRO also increased field excitatory post-synaptic potentials in the CA1 region of hippocampus slices inhibiting the long-term depression (LTD) by a mechanism that the patent authors assert “probably” involves an inhibition of the glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK 3β).
 
The patent authors concluded that “Our results suggest that ANDRO might be used in a potential preventative and reversible therapy during the progression state of Alzheimer’s Disease.”
 
The patent application suggests the claim for andrographolide is that it “may be used in a method for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease dementia in humans, wherein andrographolide is administered in a therapeutically effective amount as a daily oral dosage from one to four mg per kg of body weight.”
 
“This is significant news because it demonstrates the increasingly sophisticated technological research can be accumulated to make specific claims,” said Annie Eng, CEO of HP Ingredients. “Although we recognize that the FDA prohibits marketing NeuroActin (ANDRO) for any disease state, this EU patent is encouraging as it supports that NeuroActin is an effective supplement for supporting healthy brain structure and function as well as cognitive acuity and memory.”