Tokiwa Phytochemical Co, Ltd., has been awarded a new U.S. patent for Sirtmax, a branded black turmeric rhizome extract, expanding the range of condition-specific products for which it will be suited.

The ingredient has been shown in previous research to up-regulate the activity of a gene called SIRT1, which is important in providing mitochondria of cells with energy.

A previous double-blind, placebo-controlled, human clinical trial found that the ingredient caused significant reductions in body weight, helped maintain blood sugar levels already within a normal range, decreased the production of metabolic waste products, called AGEs, and showed a trend toward improvement in arterial flexibility.

According to Maypro, which is the exclusive distributor of Sirtmax in the U.S., the most recent study on the ingredient found supplementation increased tear fluid, an issue of particular interest to elderly and hyperglycemic individuals suffering from dry eyes. A survey in the same study found the ingredient conferred benefits to skin health, such as improving radiance and luminosity, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, and making uneven pigmentation less noticeable. In that same study, Sirtmax was associated with significant improvements in digestive regularity.

“As the manufacturer of Sirtmax, we are proud that this new patent, and its associated human clinical research, supports more healthy-living and anti-aging applications for our unique polymethoxyflavonoid-rich extract, and we’re pleased that Maypro is our exclusive agent for this ingredient in the Americas,” said Jin Tatsuzaki, president of Tokiwa Phytochemical Co, Ltd.

“Considering that the global anti-aging market was $58.5 billion in 2020 and U.S. beauty-from-within dietary supplements sales were $1.5 billion in 2021, Sirtmax is becoming an ingredient of choice among formulators,” said Denis Alimonti, director of Maypro’s U.S. Nutrition Division. “This new patent supports the incredible versatility of this potent, science-validated ingredient.”