ChromaDex Corporation, an innovative natural products company, has released the clinical safety data for its patented pTeroPure (pterostilbene) for human consumption. The findings were presented at the 6th World Congress on Polyphenols Applications in Paris, France. Pterostilbene is an antioxidant found in blueberries and other berries and believed by many experts to have a number of health benefits.

pTeroPure was named the 2010 North American Most Promising Ingredient of the Year by the independent research company, Frost & Sullivan.

“The safety of pterostilbene has previously been demonstrated in numerous cell and animal studies and we are pleased to find it translates to humans as well,” said the study's principle investigator Daniel Riche, PharmD, Cardiometabolic Clinic Coordinator at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy. “These results further support pTeroPure's self-affirmed GRAS status and should leave no doubt that it is safe for human use in consumer products.”

The study, a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, included 80 adults who were given 100 to 250 mg per day of pTeroPure or placebo for six to eight weeks. The results showed a lack of adverse reactions and no major adverse events. Data analyses from the trial on the effects of pTeroPure on blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol and oxidative stress are currently underway, and results are expected to be made public following acceptance in a peer-reviewed journal. The study was a collaboration between the University of Mississippi and ChromaDex.

Pterostilbene has superior biological activity, better oral bioavailability and metabolizes more slowly in the body than other antioxidant polyphenols (substances from plants that tend to prevent or neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals), resulting in more prolonged antioxidant activity. Along with a number of other effects, pterostilbene has shown great promise for supporting heart health, cognitive function and anti-ageing.

“ChromaDex is committed to investing in human studies to provide the clinical evidence for our novel ingredients that the industry expects,” said Frank Jaksch Jr., CEO and co-founder of ChromaDex. “These safety results fulfill an important prerequisite to expanding pTeroPure into our various business channels in the United States and abroad. We also are optimistic about the efficacy data, scheduled to be released within a few months. This is only one of our many planned studies intended to contribute to our mission of bringing solutions to our customers to help promote health and wellness.”

pTeroPure is the key novel ingredient in BluScience, ChromaDex's recently launched line of dietary supplements. BluScience, which is now available at a major drug store chain, GNC and an online retailer, Drugstore.com, is expected to be available in more than 25,000 retail stores by year-end 2012, as well as through major online retailers.