Memory-Enhancing Effect of 8-Week Consumption of the Quercetin-Enriched Culinary Herbs-Derived Functional Ingredients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Due to great demand for memory enhancers, the memory-enhancing effects and the possible underlying mechanisms of the functional ingredients derived from the combined extract of Polygonum odoratum and Morus alba were investigated. A total of 45 participants randomly received either a placebo or the developed herbal supplement at a dose of 50 or 1500 mg/day. The consumption was done once daily for 8 weeks. Working memory was assessed via both an event-related potential and computerized battery tests at baseline and at the end of the 8-week study period. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and monoamine oxidase type A and type B (MAO-A, MAO-B) levels were also measured at the end of the study. The subjects who consumed the supplement containing a developed functional ingredient at a dose of 1500 mg/day showed reduced latencies but increased amplitudes of N100 and P300. An improvement in working memory and the suppression of AChE, MAO-A, and MAO-B activities were also observed. Therefore, this study clearly demonstrates the cognitive enhancing effect of the developed herbal congee, which may be associated with the suppressions of AChE and both types of MAO.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of an Anthocyanin-Rich Functional Ingredient on Cognitive Function and Eye Dryness in Late Adulthood Volunteers: Roles of Epigenetic and Gut Microbiome Modulations

“…The current data also reveal that subjects who consumed the functional soup containing “Anthaplex” also improved their response times in the simple reaction time test, which confirms the improvement of their attention [ 52 ]. Furthermore, an increase in the percent of accuracy response in numeric working memory was recorded, which reflects an improvement in the quality of working memory [ 34 , 53 , 54 , 55 ].…”

“…The calculation of sample size was performed using 80% power and 95% level of confidence. This calculation was based on similar study, which was carried out in healthy volunteers [ 34 ], and N was 20/group. We also estimated withdrawal cases at around 10%, and this gave rise to 23/group.…”

“…Working memory was assessed by a battery set of memory tests consisting of word presentation, word recognition test, picture presentation, picture recognition test, simple reaction test, digit vigilance, choice reaction time, spatial, and numeric working memory, as previously mentioned [ 34 ]. Response time of simple reaction test, choice reaction time, and digit vigilance were assessed to reflect power of attention, whereas accuracy of digit vigilance and choice reaction time were assessed to reflect the continuity of attention.…”

A Functional Drink Containing Kaempferia parviflora Extract Increases Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Physical Flexibility in Adult Volunteers

“…In brief, the MDA was monitored using a thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay (TBARS) method, whereas the SOD was measured by the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium with a superoxide generator induced by a xanthine–xanthine oxidase reaction, and the CAT was assessed using the decomposition of H 2 O 2 as an indicator. GSH-Px was also monitored by measuring the oxidation of NADH to NADP by enzyme glutathione reductase during the oxidation of oxidized glutathione (GSSG), which is formed by the catalytic action of organic peroxide by GSH-Px [ 29 ].…”