A new bioactive molecule from the Centella asiatica plant has been discovered by researchers at Sederma’s Instituto di Ricerche Biotecnologiche (IRB).
The molecule, 4-malonil-3,5- dicaffeoylquinic acid (known as irbic acid), has always existed in Centella but at levels so low that its presence was indiscernible among many other low level compounds existing in the plant.
Through their proprietary biotech method which stimulates plant cells to produce high levels of phytoactives (up to 1,000 times greater than traditional means), IRB has uncovered irbic acid, a plant compound with very high collagenprotective activity and greater antioxidant and antiinflammatory benefits over other well-known plant molecules. IRB worked in conjunction with the University of Bologna in Italy who defined irbic acid’s chemical structure. IRB now holds a patent for this technology and Sederma has ongoing studies further elucidating additional activities and cosmetic benefits. This discovery illuminates just one of the many benefits that strategic use of plant cell culture allows an industry seeking more advanced solutions from nature.
With this new technology, that offers the highest known concentration of irbic acid ever expressed from this herb, new levels of antiageing efficacy never seen before in standard extracts of Centella are possible.
