Kwangdong Pharmaceutical Receives Individual Recognition for Functional Ingredient 'Complex Extract of Nokyong and Danggui'

Kwangdong Pharmaceutical announced on the 17th that its developed 'Deer Antler and Angelica Complex Extract' has become the first deer antler-based ingredient in Korea to receive individual recognition as a functional ingredient from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (Approval No. 2023-16).

Kwangdong Pharmaceutical CI
Photo by Kwangdong Pharmaceutical

The company explained that the Deer Antler and Angelica Complex Extract uses deer antler and Angelica as raw materials and has scientifically proven its efficacy and safety in helping maintain prostate health through research and clinical trials. Prostate diseases are closely related to aging and male hormones. According to the Korean Urological Association, it is estimated that about 50% of men in their 50s, 60% in their 60s, 70% in their 70s, and 80% in their 80s have benign prostatic hyperplasia. This is because the incidence and prevalence increase with physical aging.

Individually recognized functional ingredients are those that, beyond the notified items, have scientifically proven safety and functionality and are individually approved by manufacturers, requiring significant investment of time and cost during development. Through years of natural product research, Kwangdong Pharmaceutical confirmed the effects of the Deer Antler and Angelica Complex Extract on changes in prostate-related hormones and improvements in prostate weight in cell and animal tests. In a 12-week human efficacy evaluation conducted on 120 men with prostate symptoms at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital of the Catholic University, the internationally used International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) total score and detailed evaluation items?including residual urine sensation, frequency, weak stream, nocturia, straining, urgency, intermittent urine, and quality of life score?all showed statistically significant improvements.

The company expects that obtaining individual recognition as a functional ingredient using deer antler, a precious material passed down in texts such as the Donguibogam, will raise market interest and demand for new prostate health materials. Koo Young-tae, Executive Director of the Natural Product Convergence Research and Development Division at Kwangdong Pharmaceutical, stated, “We are promoting the discovery and nurturing of integrated natural product materials for food and pharmaceuticals to secure core capabilities in the natural product business. We are pleased that the deer antler complex, which has efficacy and safety through years of investment and research, has borne fruit.” He added, “We will do our best to ensure that ongoing efficacy studies on various natural product materials also bear fruit and contribute to public health.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.