Plant-derived nootropics and human cognition: A systematic review

Lorca, Cristina; Mulet, María; Arévalo-Caro, Catalina; Sánchez, Marco A. Piña; Perez, Ainhoa; Perrino, María; Bach-Faig, Anna; Aguilar, Alicia; Vilella, Elisabet; Gallart‐Palau, Xavier; Serra, Aida

doi:10.1080/10408398.2021.2021137

Cited by 25 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 222 publications

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“…This observation is unsurprising because students (over 90%) often used caffeine as a CE. It was found that caffeine may produce rapid positive inotropic and chronotropic effects on the cardiovascular system and, in toxic doses, may cause life-threatening arrhythmias [ 34 , 48 ]. Caffeine can activate various brain areas [ 48 ], which is the reason for increased alertness but may lead to sleeping problems.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do Medical Universities Students Use Cognitive Enhancers while Learning?—Conclusions from the Study in Poland

Merwid-Ląd

Passon

Drymluch

et al. 2023

Life

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Background: Stress and everyday problems may impact memory and cognition. Therefore, many people use cognitive enhancers (CEs), sold for prescription, as over-the-counter drugs, or dietary supplements, believing they may help with everyday functioning. Our study was designed to answer whether taking CEs is common among Medical University students and to identify which substances are mainly used. Methods and Results: An anonymous online questionnaire was answered by 479 students of Medical (88%) and Dentistry (12%) Faculties in Poland. Women constituted the majority of respondents (63%). CEs were used by 53% of respondents, with the most frequent being caffeine, ginseng, nicotine, theanine, ginkgo, and lecithin. Some persons used CEs that are available only with a prescription. The most important reasons for the use of CEs were to increase arousal and improve concentration (mentioned by 81% and 73%, respectively). Over 65% of students experienced some undesired/adverse effects after taking CEs, with tachycardia being the most common, followed by sleep disturbances (reported by 51% and 40%, respectively). Conclusions: More than half of the respondents from the Medical and Dentistry Faculties reported using CEs, despite their unproven efficacy and not-well-established safety. This raises significant concern about the knowledge of young persons regarding CEs and should encourage universities to undertake educational actions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do Medical Universities Students Use Cognitive Enhancers while Learning?—Conclusions from the Study in Poland

Merwid-Ląd

Passon

Drymluch

et al. 2023

Life

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“…Several species of herbs, shrubs, and trees have been selected for testing as nootropic agents because of their long history of use in traditional medicine. Research has already identified several promising natural substances that could act as cognitive enhancers, sometimes called ‘smart drugs’ [ 11 , 22 , 23 ].…”

Section: Specific Nootropic Herb Shrub and Tree Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nootropic Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees as Potential Cognitive Enhancers

Malík

Tlustos

2023

Plants

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Plant-based nootropics are a diverse group of natural drugs that can improve cognitive abilities through various physiological mechanisms, especially in cases where these functions are weakened or impaired. In many cases, the nootropics enhance erythrocyte plasticity and inhibit aggregation, which improves the blood’s rheological properties and increases its flow to the brain. Many of these formulations possess antioxidant activity that protects brain tissue from neurotoxicity and improves the brain’s oxygen supply. They can induce the synthesis of neuronal proteins, nucleic acids, and phospholipids for constructing and repairing neurohormonal membranes. These natural compounds can potentially be present in a great variety of herbs, shrubs, and even some trees and vines. The plant species reviewed here were selected based on the availability of verifiable experimental data and clinical trials investigating potential nootropic effects. Original research articles, relevant animal studies, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and clinical trials were included in this review. Selected representatives of this heterogeneous group included Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst., Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim., Ginkgo biloba L., Lepidium meyenii Walp., Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Paullinia cupana Kunth, Rhodiola rosea L., Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. The species are depicted and described, together with their active components and nootropic effects, and evidence of their efficacy is presented. The study provides brief descriptions of the representative species, their occurrence, history, and the chemical composition of the principle medicinal compounds, with uses, indications, experimental treatments, dosages, possible side effects, and contraindications. Most plant nootropics must be taken at optimal doses for extended periods before measurable improvement occurs, but they are generally very well tolerated. Their psychoactive properties are not produced by a single molecule but by a synergistic combination of several compounds. The available data suggest that including extracts from these plants in medicinal products to treat cognitive disorders can have substantial potential therapeutic benefits.

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“…Neurodegenerative diseases involve a progressive loss of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in impairment of several cognitive and motor domains and the apparition of dementia and movement disorders. Major neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Multiple Sclerosis, among others [ 85 , 86 , 87 ]. It should also be noted that vascular factors associated with cerebrovascular disease are also a major cause of cognitive decline in elders and relevant risk factors for neurodegeneration [ 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 ].…”

Section: Oral Microbiome and Systemic Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oral Microbiota, Its Equilibrium and Implications in the Pathophysiology of Human Diseases: A Systematic Review

et al. 2022

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Imbalances of the oral microbiota and dysbiosis have traditionally been linked to the occurrence of teeth and oral diseases. However, recent findings indicate that this microbiota exerts relevant influence in systemic health. Dysbiosis of the oral microbiota is implicated in the apparition and progression of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and other major human diseases. In fact, the oral microbiota are the second most diverse and largely populated microbiota of the human body and its relationships with systemic health, although widely explored, they still lack of proper integration. The purpose of this systematic review is thus to widely examine the implications of oral microbiota in oral, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases to offer integrative and up-to-date interpretations. To achieve that aim, we identified a total of 121 studies curated in PUBMED from the time interval January 2003–April 2022, which after careful screening resulted in 79 studies included. The reviewed scientific literature provides plausible vias of implication of dysbiotic oral microbiota in systemic human diseases, and encourages further research to continue elucidating the highly relevant and still poorly understood implications of this niche microbiota in systemic health. PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42022299692. This systematic review follows relevant PRISMA guidelines.

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Plant-derived nootropics and human cognition: A systematic review

Cited by 25 publications

References 222 publications

Do Medical Universities Students Use Cognitive Enhancers while Learning?—Conclusions from the Study in Poland

Do Medical Universities Students Use Cognitive Enhancers while Learning?—Conclusions from the Study in Poland

Nootropic Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees as Potential Cognitive Enhancers

Oral Microbiota, Its Equilibrium and Implications in the Pathophysiology of Human Diseases: A Systematic Review

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