|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
3H Labs unveils high-potency gotu kola to US & Europe
|
|
Monday, 08 September, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
Goyang-si, South Korea
|
Nutraceutical company 3H Labs Co., Ltd., launches Himalca, its proprietary, science-backed gotu kola (Centella asiatica) extract in US and European markets. Standardised to high concentrations of the beneficial asiacoticoside bioactives, the company has dedicated the bulk of its research on exploring its benefits on eye health in niche research. Himalca will be introduced at Vitafoods Asia and SupplySide West.
The raw material is cultivated in the Himalayan region of India at elevations above 5,000 feet, an area with pristine mountain air and soil. The plant is harvested by hand, by contract farmers to retain the botanical’s natural purity and integrity. This eliminates the risk of contamination and minimises the possibility of mixing with other plant species.
Jerry Bae, CEO and founder of 3H Labs, said, “By choosing hand-picking over mechanical harvesting, we not only ensure the selection of high-quality raw materials but also contribute to environmental preservation. This low-impact method helps prevent pollution from fuel-powered equipment and protects the farmland, supporting long-term soil vitality and sustainable farming practices.”
Gotu kola possesses thin, delicate leaves that are prone to wilting, making it difficult to process. To preserve its freshness, the harvested plants are transported immediately to nearby processing facilities, allowing them to be handled and processed while still in their prime condition.
The company employs a gentle—yet powerful—proprietary extraction method known as the DEF process (double extraction and filtration). This custom-developed process concentrates specific compounds, in this case asiaticosides, a triterpene and key phytochemical responsible for multiple wellness benefits traditionally attributed to gotu kola. The process yields a stable, water-soluble powder that is a high-purity extract with consistent potency, verified through HPLC laboratory analysis.
As a new player in the global commercial nutra-ingredient scene, Himalca is already building a solid research foundation, with a focus on eye health—relatively new terrain in the botanical’s scientific evaluation.
Ryan Lee, research director of 3H Labs, said, “Although Centella asiatica is widely hailed for its cognitive and skin benefits, our focus on eye health was driven by its strong antioxidant and cell-protective properties. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is largely caused by oxidative stress in retinal cells. The use of natural agents for eye support is still a developing area and there are only a handful of scientifically validated options on the market. In our studies, Centella asiatica extract and its active compound asiaticoside showed significant protective effects against retinal degeneration.”
Findings from three studies—one animal, one lab, and one clinical trial—have demonstrated Himalca’s potential as a safe, natural option for inhibiting age-related eye disorders. In the most recent clinical trial, published 2023 in the journal Nutrients, supplementation with Himalca was shown to improve macular pigment optical density (MOPD), a measure of the protective carotenoid pigments lutein and zeaxanthin, which play a crucial role in maintaining the structure and function of the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision and containing the densest concentration of photoreceptors.
Led by Hyelin Jeon, this trial enrolled 80 adults presenting with low MPOD who were randomised to take either a placebo or Himalca. Following six months of daily supplementation, MPOD significantly increased in the Himalca group by 20.5% in the right eye and 5.1% in the left eye with an average boost of 14% increase in both eyes. In contrast, no significant MPOD change was observed in the placebo group.
“This result suggests that Himalca can inhibit macular degeneration by inducing accumulation of antioxidant carotenoids in the macula. The retina is one of the most active tissues in the body with high oxygen demand. It is particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage due to constant bombarded by light from the sun and the glow of digital devices—smartphones, tablets, and computer screens. The carotenoids of the macular pigment filter out harmful UV radiation and blue light and reduce oxidative stress,” concluded Lee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|