Disclaimer: The findings discussed are lab based and further studies need to be done.

The URI maple research team has identified over 100 compounds in maple trees that have antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-neurodegenerative properties. They have standardized a maple extract for research called Maplifa™. It is a phenolic enriched extract of red maple leaves.

A University of Rhode Island study evaluated compounds in red maple leaves for their anti-cancer potential. The results showed that extracts from maple leaves (Maplifa™) helped reduce levels of reactive oxygen species, a characteristic of many potential anti-cancer compounds.

Reference: Ma, H.; Xu, J.; DaSilva, N.; Wang, L.; Wei, Z.; Guo, L.; Lu, W.; Xu, J.; Xu, Q.; Seeram, N.P. Cosmetic applications of glucitol-core containing gallotannins from a proprietary phenolic-enriched red maple (Acer rubrum) leaves extract, Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017, 309, 265-274.