Impact of a Dietary Supplement Containing Rosemary and Daylily on Biochemical Markers of Cognitive Health, Sleep Quality and Related Variables in Men and Women

Abstract

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.

Impact of the Dietary Supplement CLOCK® on BDNF and Other Biochemical Measures Related to Cognitive Function and Health in Men and Women

“…In the first double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial published in 2016, CLOCK® 1g group noted increases in alertness, focus, attentiveness, feeling energetic, alertness, enthusiasm, which supports the current findings [1]. In addition, we observed an increase in feeling well rested, as well as a reduction in feeling depressed and sluggish.…”

“…We have recently reported that the dietary supplement known as CLOCK®, a combination of Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) and Hemerocallis fulva (Daylily), improves selected measures of subjective well-being, while resulting in favorable changes in biochemical measures of health [1]. Additional anecdotal reports using this agent have noted positive outcomes related to improved cognition and mood (e.g., increased perceived energy and enthusiasm), as well as the quality of nightly sleep.…”

“…Our initial work using CLOCK® at a daily dosage of 1000 mg noted a 27% increase in Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which may have been associated with the noted improvement in well-being measures [1]. Moreover, other outcomes that are known to be influenced by Rosemary and Hemerocallis such as serotonin and melatonin may have an influence on sleep quality.…”

Study and Experimental Validation of the Functional Components and Mechanisms of Hemerocallis citrina Baroni in the Treatment of Lactation Deficiency

“…According to the current vision of "The Plan List", Hemerocallis citrina Baroni (Xanthorrhoeaceae family), commonly known as daylily, has demonstrated multiple functions, such as antioxidant [12], sleep promoting [13], and antidepressant [14]. As recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica, the most comprehensive and complete medicine in the history of traditional Chinese medicine, the daylily has the function of relieving gloom, and it was named 'Wang you cao' [15].…”

High frequency in vitro regeneration of adventitious shoots in daylilies (Hemerocallis sp) stem tissue using thidiazuron

“…Daylilies (Hemerocallis sp L.) belong to the family Hemerocallidaceae and genus Hemerocallis [1]. It is a crop of economic importance used for natural beauty [2,3], landscaping [4,5], food nutrition [6][7][8][9], medicinal proprieties [10][11][12], and research.…”