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Background: We investigated the influence of a botanical agent to improve sleep quality and associated measures in men and women with self-reported difficulty sleeping. Methods: 32 individuals were randomly assigned in double blind manner to ingest a botanical agent (CLOCK®, containing Rosemary [Rosmarinus officinalis] and Daylily [Hemerocallis fulva]) or a placebo over a 6-week intervention. During weeks 1 and 2, subjects ingested one serving of the assigned condition, followed by a two-week washout. During weeks 5 and 6, subjects ingested two servings of the condition. The Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire was used as an outcome measure, as were subjective measures of sleep quality, energy level, and mood. Blood samples collected pre-and post-intervention were assayed for acetylcholine (ACH), brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin, and melatonin. Results: No differences were noted between conditions in measures of sleep (p > 0.05). While no differences of statistical significance were noted in subjective feelings, during weeks 5 and 6 as compared to baseline, subjects assigned to the supplement noted an 8% increase in attentiveness, an 11% increase in alertness, a 12% increase in focus, a 14% increase in feeling energetic, a 12% increase in enthusiasm, a 23% increase in feeling well rested, an 11% decrease in feeling sluggish, and a 16% decrease in feeling depressed, without the same improvement observed for subjects in the placebo group. All biochemical measures were increased from pre-to post-treatment with two servings of the supplement; the largest percent increase noted for BDNF (27%) and the largest effect 1308 mood, with a significant impact on the biochemical marker, BDNF. Future studies using a larger sample size and perhaps a cross-over design may help to further clarify the impact of this dietary supplement on aspects of sleep quality, mood, and other related variables.

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Plant-based nutrients have been studied for their potential impact on testosterone production in men. We investigated the influence of a novel passion flower extract on free testosterone in healthy men. In part one of this study, 18 younger men (35.9 ± 1.6 years) were assigned to consume placebo tablets or tablets containing a passion flower extract, in a random order, double-blind, cross-over design. The treatment period for each condition was 15 days, with a two-week washout period between conditions. Blood and saliva were collected both in the morning and the evening on days 1, 8, and 15-both before and one hour following ingestion of the assigned condition. In part two of this study, seven older men (55.9 ± 2.7 years) were assigned to consume the passion flower extract or placebo tablets in a random order, double-blind, cross-over design. The treatment period was the same as for part one and but only saliva was collected in the morning on days 1, 3, 8, and 15. All subjects completed a questionnaire on the morning of each test day to determine their subjective feelings associated with the condition treatment. Passion flower extract did not appear to influence free testosterone or subjective feelings in younger men. However, free salivary testosterone was increased an average of 13% in older men. In addition, an increase of 17% was noted from day 1 to day 15 for perceived energy level, while an increase of 9% was noted for libido when older men used the extract. A novel passion flower extract does not influence testosterone concentrations or subjective feelings in younger men but may have an influence on these outcomes in selected older men. It is possible that the treatment may be more effective when delivered to those with low baseline testosterone values.