#Japan #Tokyo #health research #Otsuka Pharmaceutical #Kenferol

Otsuka Pharmaceutical's Latest Research on Kenferol

On February 2026, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, held a conference unveiling new research findings related to Kenferol, a plant-derived food ingredient. Leading the discussion was Dr. Yasuhiro Ikeda, Director of the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Advanced Research Institute, alongside Afshin Beheshti from the collaborative overseas research team, with moderation by Yoshiko Takahashi.

Understanding Kenferol and Its Research Background

Kenferol is a type of flavonoid produced by plants, predominantly found in cruciferous vegetables, grains, legumes, and tea leaves, with particularly high concentrations in wasabi leaves. Recent studies by Otsuka Pharmaceutical have clarified that Kenferol interacts with cellular mitochondria to enhance energy production efficiency. Human trials have also confirmed that it can improve exercise performance, increase physical activity, and enhance sleep quality, demonstrating its utility across various everyday situations from exercise to rest.

Energy production, the source of life activities, requires three essentials: water, nutrients, and oxygen. However, the ability to utilize oxygen can change due to aging and lifestyle habits. Otsuka Pharmaceutical posits that the effective use of oxygen could be key to maintaining health. Their interest in the diet of highland tribes living in hypoxic environments above 2,000 meters in Mexico and Kenya led to the analysis of 341 different types of highland food ingredients from around the world, which ultimately revealed Kenferol as a significant find. Cell testing suggested that Kenferol might enhance energy production by helping cells utilize oxygen more efficiently in low-oxygen settings.

Furthermore, data from previous human trials show improvements in cardiovascular function and autonomic nervous system indicators. Enhanced physical activity levels and sleep quality, alleviation of weather-related pain, better oxygen utilization during exercise, and reduced cardiovascular and muscle strain during high-intensity workouts were also recorded. To date, a total of nine research papers, including basic studies, have been accepted for publication.

Profiles of the Panelists

Afshin Beheshti
Director of the Space Biomedical Sciences Center
Deputy Director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Professor of Surgery and Computational Systems Biology at the University of Pittsburgh

Yoshiko Takahashi
President & CEO of TAZ Inc.
Founder and Board Member of GeneQuest

Dr. Yasuhiro Ikeda
Director of the Advanced Research Institute at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.