Benefits
In vitro hepatoprotective antioxidant activity
Nexira screened 100+ botanical extracts for liver-cell antioxidant potency before selecting the clove + immortelle combination as the strongest performer. In their cell models, the combination outperformed either ingredient alone in direct antioxidant activity against oxidative stress markers.
Nutrigenomic activation of liver antioxidant genes
In vitro studies reported upregulation of gene expression coding for endogenous liver antioxidant defenses — the basis of the 'nutrigenomic mechanism' positioning. The proposed model is dual: direct antioxidant activity from phenolic compounds plus induction of cellular defense pathways.
EFSA pending claim on Helichrysum italicum
Nexira lists a pending EFSA claim on the Helichrysum italicum component: "Helps to maintain a healthy liver function, supporting the digestion and the body purification." Pending status means this claim is not yet authorized — products cannot use it on labels in the EU until/unless approved.
Clean-label and organic positioning
Helichrysum italicum is sourced from the Corsican maquis; clove is sourced traditionally. Both extracts are certified organic. The water-extraction process uses no added carrier — a positioning advantage for clean-label, organic-certified finished products.
Mechanism of action
Direct antioxidant activity from phenolic compounds
Eugenol is the dominant compound in clove (~70-90% of clove essential oil); helichrysum contains arzanol, gnaphaliin, and italipyrone among other italoid compounds. Both have demonstrated radical-scavenging activity in cell-based assays.
Nutrigenomic induction of liver defense genes
In hepatocyte cell models, the combination upregulates expression of antioxidant defense genes (specific genes/pathways not detailed in publicly available Nexira literature). This is the mechanistic basis for the 'detoxification pathway activation' positioning.
Anti-inflammatory marker modulation
Helichrysum italicum has documented anti-inflammatory activity in published literature, primarily from in vitro and small clinical studies on the plant rather than the Hepure™ finished ingredient specifically.
Clinical trials
Nexira screened 100+ botanical extracts for antioxidant activity in liver cell lines and selected clove + immortelle as the best-performing combination. The screening reported direct antioxidant activity plus upregulation of gene expression coding for endogenous antioxidant defenses. This is in vitro evidence — not a human clinical trial.
Independent published literature on Helichrysum italicum (the immortelle component) supports anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in cellular models and small in vivo studies. None of these were conducted on the Hepure™ finished ingredient. The basis for the proposed mechanism rather than for clinical efficacy claims.