January 26, 2024
DES MOINES, Iowa – Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer, was highlighted in a published study on the efficacy of spearmint extract for nutritional support in neural tissues in a model of hypertensive glaucoma. Published in the November 2023 issue of Translational Vision Science & Technology (TVST), the data highlights the potential use of Kemin’s nootropic, Neumentix, for nutritional support of the eyes’ neural tissues through a rat model of hypertensive glaucoma.
The paper, co-authored by the University of Pisa in Italy and Kemin Human Nutrition and Health, shows novel data on oral intake of Neumentix in preserving the activity and viability of retinal ganglion cells, as well as Neumentix’s mechanisms of action in a rat model of hypertensive glaucoma. The results published also document Neumentix’s effect on neurotrophins, which are proteins found in the central and peripheral nervous system that affect neuronal survival and development.
“The research substantiates the role of oxidative stress, inflammation, and neurotrophin support in driving neurodegeneration in retinal ganglion cells, but also demonstrates the potential to counteract these drivers with nutritional strategies,” said University of Pisa professor Massimo Dal Monte, the principal investigator of the study.
“Our findings emphasized the intraocular pressure (IOP)-independent antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of Neumentix,” said Dr. Rosario Amato, post-doctoral research fellow from the University of Pisa. “Glaucoma provides a model of neurodegeneration and is understood as a multifactorial condition influenced by mechanisms such as high oxidative stress, inflammation, and lack of neural trophic support. In our results, we observed that this spearmint extract dose dependently modulates neuroprotective mechanisms, relevant for the management of glaucoma, which act downstream from the IOP elevation.”
The study findings expanded Neumentix’s mechanisms of action, showing its effectiveness on rat’s neural tissues beyond the brain. The results also indicated that Neumentix, Kemin’s natural spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) extract sourced from patented plants and characterized by its phenolic complex, works to counteract common degenerative pathways affecting the eyes and brain.
Neumentix provides both cognitive and physical performance benefits and can be formulated into a variety of applications. Science suggests that Neumentix may serve as nutritional support for neural tissues with its six mechanisms of action that are relevant for both the eyes and brain.
