Animal Studies Establish Safety, Efficacy of Univestin

SEATTLETwo new published studies demonstrate the safety and efficacy of ingredient UP446, a botanical composition consisting of Scutellaria baicalensis and Acacia catechu extracts, in animal models. Both trials studied Univestin®, a patented botanical joint health product from Unigen; the company also conducted the research.

In the first, researchers established the ingredient's safety in acute and 26-week dosages in rats. Published in Food and Nutrition Sciences, the study noted the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) to be 2,000 mg/kg/daily in rats.

Unigen researchers also evaluated the ingredient's effect on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in an animal mode, published in Pharmacognosy Research. For the study, scientists induced RA by injecting the rats with Freund's complete adjuvant into left and right hind paw and base of the tail. The subjects received either UP446 (50 mg/kg), ibuprofen (150 mg/kg mg/kg) or fluid by oral gavage for two weeks.

Animals taking Univestin exhibited a decrease in pain sensitivity and ankle diameter compared to placebo. The treated animals also had edema reduced by 33.6 percent by day 14. A previous study by JSS Medical Research found Univestin battled pain in osteoarthritis (OA) sufferers just as well as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Countless natural ingredients have proven effective in helping soothe aching joints. Learn more about the growing market in the INSIDER feature, "A Joint Effort."