Chronic supplementation of a multi-ingredient herbal supplement increases speed of cognitive task performance alongside changes in the urinary metabolism of dopamine and the gut microbiome in cognitively intact older adults experiencing subjective memory decline: a randomized, placebo controlled, parallel groups investigation
BackgroundThe effects of herbs on brain function are often investigated in isolation, yet herbal preparations are often complex combinations of phytochemicals, designed to target widespread mechanisms.ObjectiveTo assess the effects of chronic, 12 weeks, supplementation of a multi-ingredient herbal s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1257516/full |
| _version_ | 1797662856447000576 |
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| author | Emma Wightman Emma Wightman Julie Khan Ellen Smith Vivien Rolfe Darren Smith Darren Smith Darren Smith Greg Young Greg Young Greg Young William Cheung David Kennedy David Kennedy |
| author_facet | Emma Wightman Emma Wightman Julie Khan Ellen Smith Vivien Rolfe Darren Smith Darren Smith Darren Smith Greg Young Greg Young Greg Young William Cheung David Kennedy David Kennedy |
| author_sort | Emma Wightman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundThe effects of herbs on brain function are often investigated in isolation, yet herbal preparations are often complex combinations of phytochemicals, designed to target widespread mechanisms.ObjectiveTo assess the effects of chronic, 12 weeks, supplementation of a multi-ingredient herbal supplement (containing Bacopa monnieri, Gotu kola leaf, Turmeric whole powder, Reishi full spectrum, Rosemary, Cardamom, Holy Basil, Turmeric Wholistic™ extract, Green Tea & Seagreens) on cognitive function in older adults with subjective memory decline. Secondly, to investigate whether effects are underpinned by shifts in microbial composition and/or metabolism of the herbs.MethodsMale and female participants (N = 128) aged between 55–75 years completed lab-based cognitive assessments, and provided stool and urine samples, at baseline and then following 90 days of multi-ingredient herb, or placebo, supplementation.ResultsDeficits in memory were observed in response to 90 days of multi-ingredient herbal supplement supplementation but the positive effects were all focused on speed of cognitive task performance, with an additional improvement in the false alarm rate on the rapid visual information processing task. These improvements coincided with an increased presence of tyrosine in the urinary metabolome and this may implicate the role of dopamine in these processing and/or motor speed increases. Finally, multi-ingredient herbal supplementation significantly reduced levels of 3 bacterial species in the gut microbiome and one of these, Sutterella, coincides with lower levels of constipation reported in the multi-ingredient herbal supplement condition.ConclusionA multi-ingredient herbal supplement increases speed of cognitive task performance and increased metabolism of tyrosine suggests that this is modulated by increased dopaminergic activity. Reduced levels of Sutterella in the gut is associated with improved bowel movements of participants. Interpretation of the negative effects on memory are, however, stymied by an unequal randomization of participants into treatment groups pre- and post-COVID 19.Clinical trial registration: identifier NCT05504668. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T19:06:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-446f2a20f0b5415eb7c30afcc3955954 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T19:06:09Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-446f2a20f0b5415eb7c30afcc39559542023-10-10T07:24:45ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2023-10-011010.3389/fnut.2023.12575161257516Chronic supplementation of a multi-ingredient herbal supplement increases speed of cognitive task performance alongside changes in the urinary metabolism of dopamine and the gut microbiome in cognitively intact older adults experiencing subjective memory decline: a randomized, placebo controlled, parallel groups investigationEmma Wightman0Emma Wightman1Julie Khan2Ellen Smith3Vivien Rolfe4Darren Smith5Darren Smith6Darren Smith7Greg Young8Greg Young9Greg Young10William Cheung11David Kennedy12David Kennedy13Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomNutrition Trials at Northumbria (NUTRAN), Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomNorthumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomNorthumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomPukka Herbs Ltd.,, The Chocolate Factory, Keynsham, Bristol, United KingdomNorthumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomNutrition Trials at Northumbria (NUTRAN), Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomNU-OMICS, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomNorthumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomNutrition Trials at Northumbria (NUTRAN), Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomNU-OMICS, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomNorthumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomNorthumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomNutrition Trials at Northumbria (NUTRAN), Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomBackgroundThe effects of herbs on brain function are often investigated in isolation, yet herbal preparations are often complex combinations of phytochemicals, designed to target widespread mechanisms.ObjectiveTo assess the effects of chronic, 12 weeks, supplementation of a multi-ingredient herbal supplement (containing Bacopa monnieri, Gotu kola leaf, Turmeric whole powder, Reishi full spectrum, Rosemary, Cardamom, Holy Basil, Turmeric Wholistic™ extract, Green Tea & Seagreens) on cognitive function in older adults with subjective memory decline. Secondly, to investigate whether effects are underpinned by shifts in microbial composition and/or metabolism of the herbs.MethodsMale and female participants (N = 128) aged between 55–75 years completed lab-based cognitive assessments, and provided stool and urine samples, at baseline and then following 90 days of multi-ingredient herb, or placebo, supplementation.ResultsDeficits in memory were observed in response to 90 days of multi-ingredient herbal supplement supplementation but the positive effects were all focused on speed of cognitive task performance, with an additional improvement in the false alarm rate on the rapid visual information processing task. These improvements coincided with an increased presence of tyrosine in the urinary metabolome and this may implicate the role of dopamine in these processing and/or motor speed increases. Finally, multi-ingredient herbal supplementation significantly reduced levels of 3 bacterial species in the gut microbiome and one of these, Sutterella, coincides with lower levels of constipation reported in the multi-ingredient herbal supplement condition.ConclusionA multi-ingredient herbal supplement increases speed of cognitive task performance and increased metabolism of tyrosine suggests that this is modulated by increased dopaminergic activity. Reduced levels of Sutterella in the gut is associated with improved bowel movements of participants. Interpretation of the negative effects on memory are, however, stymied by an unequal randomization of participants into treatment groups pre- and post-COVID 19.Clinical trial registration: identifier NCT05504668.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1257516/fullturmericherbal supplementchronic supplementationrandomized controlled trialcognitive functiongut microbiome |
| spellingShingle | Emma Wightman Emma Wightman Julie Khan Ellen Smith Vivien Rolfe Darren Smith Darren Smith Darren Smith Greg Young Greg Young Greg Young William Cheung David Kennedy David Kennedy Chronic supplementation of a multi-ingredient herbal supplement increases speed of cognitive task performance alongside changes in the urinary metabolism of dopamine and the gut microbiome in cognitively intact older adults experiencing subjective memory decline: a randomized, placebo controlled, parallel groups investigation Frontiers in Nutrition turmeric herbal supplement chronic supplementation randomized controlled trial cognitive function gut microbiome |
| title | Chronic supplementation of a multi-ingredient herbal supplement increases speed of cognitive task performance alongside changes in the urinary metabolism of dopamine and the gut microbiome in cognitively intact older adults experiencing subjective memory decline: a randomized, placebo controlled, parallel groups investigation |
| title_full | Chronic supplementation of a multi-ingredient herbal supplement increases speed of cognitive task performance alongside changes in the urinary metabolism of dopamine and the gut microbiome in cognitively intact older adults experiencing subjective memory decline: a randomized, placebo controlled, parallel groups investigation |
| title_fullStr | Chronic supplementation of a multi-ingredient herbal supplement increases speed of cognitive task performance alongside changes in the urinary metabolism of dopamine and the gut microbiome in cognitively intact older adults experiencing subjective memory decline: a randomized, placebo controlled, parallel groups investigation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chronic supplementation of a multi-ingredient herbal supplement increases speed of cognitive task performance alongside changes in the urinary metabolism of dopamine and the gut microbiome in cognitively intact older adults experiencing subjective memory decline: a randomized, placebo controlled, parallel groups investigation |
| title_short | Chronic supplementation of a multi-ingredient herbal supplement increases speed of cognitive task performance alongside changes in the urinary metabolism of dopamine and the gut microbiome in cognitively intact older adults experiencing subjective memory decline: a randomized, placebo controlled, parallel groups investigation |
| title_sort | chronic supplementation of a multi ingredient herbal supplement increases speed of cognitive task performance alongside changes in the urinary metabolism of dopamine and the gut microbiome in cognitively intact older adults experiencing subjective memory decline a randomized placebo controlled parallel groups investigation |
| topic | turmeric herbal supplement chronic supplementation randomized controlled trial cognitive function gut microbiome |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1257516/full |
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