The Acute and Chronic Cognitive Effects of a Sage Extract: A Randomized, Placebo Controlled Study in Healthy Humans

Abstract

The sage (Salvia) plant contains a host of terpenes and phenolics which interact with mechanisms pertinent to brain function and improve aspects of cognitive performance. However, previous studies in humans have looked at these phytochemicals in isolation and following acute consumption only. A preclinical in vivo study in rodents, however, has demonstrated improved cognitive outcomes following 2-week consumption of CogniviaTM, a proprietary extract of both Salvia officinalis polyphenols and Salvia lavandulaefolia terpenoids, suggesting that a combination of phytochemicals from sage might be more efficacious over a longer period of time. The current study investigated the impact of this sage combination on cognitive functions in humans with acute and chronic outcomes. Participants (n = 94, 25 M, 69 F, 30–60 years old) took part in this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel groups design where a comprehensive array of cognitions were assessed 120- and 240-min post-dose acutely and following 29-day supplementation with either 600 mg of the sage combination or placebo. A consistent, significant benefit of the sage combination was observed throughout working memory and accuracy task outcome measures (specifically on the Corsi Blocks, Numeric Working Memory, and Name to Face Recall tasks) both acutely (i.e., changes within day 1 and day 29) and chronically (i.e., changes between day 1 to day 29). These results fall slightly outside of those reported previously with single Salvia administration, and therefore, a follow-up study with the single and combined extracts is required to confirm how these effects differ within the same cohort.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Role of Acetylcholinesterase in their Pathogenesis

“…A combination of two types of sage (Cognivia™), Salvia officinalis and Salvia lavandulaefolia, was tested [431]. Patients were evaluated after 120 min, 240 min, and after 29 days of taking this extract.…”

Acute Effects of Salvia Supplementation on Cognitive Function in Athletes During a Fatiguing Cycling Exercise: A Randomized Cross-Over, Placebo-Controlled, and Double-Blind Study

“…The combination of these two species has been explored more recently (9). Similar positive effects, for instance in working memory, have been obtained in healthy individuals just 2 h after supplementation but also after a chronic administration (9,14). The nootropics properties of Salvia are partly described and begin to be explained (5).…”

“…The SAGE supplementation was made of Cognivia TM (Nexira, Rouen, France): a mix of S. officinalis and S. lavandulaefolia ( 9 , 14 ). It contains 400 mg of aqueous extract from S. officinalis leaves characterized for its content in polyphenols (rosmarinic acid, apigenin glucosides, luteolin glucosides, and others) and 200 mg, which contains 50 μL of S. lavandulaefolia essential oil characterized for its content in terpenoids (as eucalyptol, camphor, α-, β-pinene, and others) encapsulated with acacia gum.…”

“…Anti-inflammatory effects are also observed as a result of phenolic diterpenes present in some species of Salvia (e.g., Salvia officinalis) that reduce, for instance, cytokines or interleukins (5). Different trials have shown positive effects for attention, memory, speed of memory, alertness, or calmness after single intake in healthy individuals (9)(10)(11). Salvia also includes numerous polyphenols (e.g., rosmarinic acid, apigenin glucosides, luteolin glucosides, and others) components with a well-known antioxidant effect (5,12).…”

“…This study observed larger improvements in memory and learning (Y-maze and Morris water maze tests) on in vivo rodents using a combination of S. officinalis (leaf extract mostly characterized for polyphenol content) and Salvia lavandulaefolia (encapsuled essential oil with predominant terpenoids) ( 14 ). This specific combination of Salvia has also been demonstrated efficient for working memory in healthy humans using various tasks ( 9 ). However, to date and to the best of our knowledge, no study has explored the effects of Salvia , in sports or physical activity settings.…”