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Wednesday June 3, 1:27 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Paracelsian, Inc.
Paracelsian Testing Demonstrates Functionality of St. John's Wort Products
ITHACA, N.Y., June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- In the first testing of its kind, Paracelsian, Inc. has confirmed the biological activity of a variety of St. John's Wort products utilizing its proprietary BioFIT(TM) (Bio Functional Integrity Tested) ''functional'' quality assurance model.
The testing was commissioned by the National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) as part of a more comprehensive review by Paracelsian of Natural Products Industry St. John's Wort products. Six different St. John's Wort products, purchased off the shelf at natural food stores, were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the re-uptake of serotonin and dopamine. Inhibition of the re-uptake of these neurotransmitters suggests, based on extensive clinical data, biological activity consistent with claims on product labels related to mood support and feelings of general well being.
''We are delighted with these results,'' said NNFA Executive Director Michael Q. Ford. ''The Paracelsian functionality testing was the key to our ability to stand firm on the value and quality of our members' St. John's Wort products.''
In this preliminary study, all six of the St. John's Wort samples exhibited biological activity consistent with the ''Structure and Function'' claims of mood support present on the labels of St. John's Wort products and authorized under DSHEA (the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994).
''This testing is particularly important considering recent stories in the mass media suggesting that St. John's Wort products are not consistent in their content of the active fractions for which they are standardized,'' said Bernie Landes, President and CEO of Paracelsian. ''These stories implied that the products are not biologically active in the mechanisms associated with their label claims. But these data clearly support claims of mood support for St. John's Wort products. And they also clearly demonstrate the importance of functional testing in assuring the quality of herbal products,'' he added.
Paracelsian has developed the BioFIT(TM) Quality Assurance program to provide a new, higher standard of herbal quality assurance that certifies consistent batch to batch biological activity (functionality) in herbal products. The complex and highly variable nature of herbal products, even those that are standardized, makes it impossible for consumers to determine whether or not a product will deliver a consistent biological effect.
The BioFIT(TM) certification will provide the first independent confirmation of consistent biological activity, and the BioFIT(TM) logo on products certified by Paracelsian will provide consumers with an easy way to determine which product to select and allow them a higher degree of confidence in making their herb purchase.
Paracelsian is a unique biotechnology company whose business centers on the development and application of functional bioassays. These assays are used for Quality Assurance of herbs, botanicals and other dietary supplements, in the development of dietary supplement, OTC and pharmaceutical products, and in monitoring environmental toxins and identifying carcinogens.
SOURCE: Paracelsian, Inc.
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