Safr’inside & probiotics, a pending patent by Activ’inside.

Searching news ingredients for your nutraceutical formula dedicated to mood and stress ? For a differentiated positioning, why not combine saffron and probiotics ? This is an idea by Activ’Inside, which has applied for a patent association concerning saffron with at least 0,2% of safranal (U-HPLC), the active molecule that inhibits serotonin reuptake.

Safr’inside & probiotics, two ingredients for a mood/anti-stress nutraceutical formula

Probiotics & mood trough the gut brain axis

Studies linking intestinal microbiota, mood and stress are increasing. Through different mechanisms, gut bacteria can interact with the brain. For examples, they can produce hormones and neurotransmitters that act like the human ones, or they can also stimulate neurons of the enteric nervous system to send signals to the brain via the vagus nerve. That’s why scientists think that gut bacteria may influence mood.

Probiotics can help influence the balance of good bacteria in your gut microbiota. Moreover, several clinical studies have shown that probiotics are efficient in the reduction of several symptoms such as depressive mood state, anger, fatigue, and an improvement in sleep quality.

These findings suggest that a probiotics intake may improve psychological well-being by ameliorating mood state and sleep quality.

However, with probiotics, there is no claims associated that allow consumers understanding their benefits.

 Saffron, traditionality & EFSA pending claim on Mood & Stress

Saffron is traditionally used for centuries for its calming properties and backed by an EFSA pending claim : « Saffron contributes to emotional balance, helps to support relaxation and maintains positive mood. »

This ingredient has a multiparametric action on mood. Saffron’s active molecules (safranal, crocin and its metabolites) control cortisol secretion, the stress hormone. They also balance brain neurotransmission. Safranal inhibits serotonin reuptake, while crocin enhances dopamine levels.

Saffron efficacy has been also shown to be statistically identical to Fluoxetine or Imipramine, the two main pharmaceutical drugs used to treat anxiety & depressive syndromes. Without any side effect, these benefits are obtained after only 1 week.

According to science, to improve mood, a saffron extract has to be :

• Obtained from sargol quality saffron stigmas
• Standardized in safranal with HPLC analysis, to inhibit serotonin reuptake.
• Guaranteed in crocin and its metabolites (kaempferol, picrocrocin, crocetin, etc…) to provide complementary benefits.

 Activ’inside has developed and patented Safr’inside, an extract of saffron stigmas that meets all these specifications. Moreover, a consumer test has shown that 3/4 people feel their emotional balance improved, and 4/5 consumers are satisfied by Safr’inside effectiveness.

How to associate these two ingredients without alterations ?

As probiotics are living microorganisms, they are very fragile. Moreover, safranal, a major active component of saffron, is known to have antimicrobials effects : In theory, these two ingredients are not compatible.

Activ’inside offers an innovative solution : Safr’inside, the only encapsulated* saffron. Thanks to our patented soft tech’care extraction process, saffron’s metabolites are encapsulated and interactions between safranal and probiotics are limited.

Indeed, recent tests conducted by our partner Lallemand has shown that probiotics concentration and physicial parameters, such as stability and compressibility of the powder, are preserved.

*Process by adsorption, not novel food

 Safr’inside can be included in nutraceutical formulas containing probiotics.

These results brought Activ'Inside to apply for a patent about the association of saffron extract with at least 0,2% of safranl (U-HPLC) with probiotic bacteria and/or probiotic yeast. This patent concerns several health applications such as Mood/Stress and Sleep, but also Digestive health, immunity, vision, men and women sexual health, joints, cognition, heart health, weight management, and skin.

For more information about Safr’inside and its benefits on mood and other health applications, feel free to contact us at : formore@activinside.com

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Informations from this article are provided for nutraceutical professionals or health personnel. Using claims mentioned in the article do not engage Activ'inside's responsibility. Our products are not dedicated to diagnose or treat diseases.