Potted Mint Plants (PMP)

Effects of Potted Mint Plants on Indoor Air Quality and the Concentration of Bacterium and Fungus, and Evaluation of Cardiovascular Health

This study will recruit 60 subjects, in sum of 30 families. We will measure 2 indoor environments (living room and bedroom) for All-in-one monitoring the indoor air quality, in which collected culturable fungus and bacteria indoor to calculate colony forming unit (CFU). We will apply Kore Technology (MS-200) (Electron Ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, EI-TOF-MS) to measure the indoor volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) before intervention and perform repeated measurements of VOCs and the concentration of phytoncides before intervention and one week later after placing potted plants into indoor environments (living room and bedroom).

In conclusion, this study aims to investigate the clinical utility of potted mint plants in reducing indoor bacterial and fungal growth and indoor air pollution, and cardiovascular benefits. Furthermore, the possible application of indoor potted mint plant in antiviral influenza or pneumonia in the future.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Cardiovascular Diseases
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Potted Mint Plants

Detailed Description

The contribution of air pollution is a very important public health issue for human health. Indoor air quality may have more influence on human health than outdoor air pollution. Previous studies indicate indoor air pollution which causes respiratory disease has been associated with cardiovascular disease. Besides, some studies showed that indoor CO2 concentration was positively correlated with virus detection and bacterial concentration in the air, and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) was detected in many poorly ventilated indoor environments. Mint can release chemical substance to inhibit viruses and bacteria. Among the components, the menthol and terpineol induced vasodilation so as to reduce blood pressure. For the pilot study we have finished the qualitative and quantitative research in chemical components released by the mint.

Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the indoor air quality and the distribution of fungal and bacterial concentration in the indoor environment, analyze the effect of potted mint plants on indoor air quality, fungal and bacterial concentration, and explore the correlation between the intervention of potted mint plants and cardiovascular health.

This study will recruit 60 subjects, in sum of 30 families. We will measure 2 indoor environments (living room and bedroom) for All-in-one monitoring the indoor air quality, in which collected culturable fungus and bacteria indoor to calculate colony forming unit (CFU). We will apply Kore Technology (MS-200) (Electron Ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, EI-TOF-MS) to measure the indoor volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) before intervention and perform repeated measurements of VOCs and the concentration of phytoncides before intervention and one week later after placing potted plants into indoor environments (living room and bedroom).

Furthermore, we used matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) to identify microbiology; simultaneously, we record the outdoor environment and indoor ventilation. To assess subjects' cardiovascular health, we use DynaPulse to evaluate their cardiovascular function, and make them equipped with Holter electrocardiography (ECG) to continuously monitor the trend of heart rate variability (HRV) before and after intervention.

In conclusion, this study aims to investigate the clinical utility of potted mint plants in reducing indoor bacterial and fungal growth and indoor air pollution, and cardiovascular benefits. Furthermore, the possible application of indoor potted mint plant in antiviral influenza or pneumonia in the future.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Taiwan
  • Chung-Shan
    • Taipei, Chung-Shan, Taiwan, 10002
      • National Taiwan University Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 20 years to 80 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• in the Department of Cardiology or inpatients at National Taiwan University Hospital
• aged 20-80
• live in the Greater Taipei area

Exclusion Criteria:

• The research subjects must agree to cooperate with the health assessment.
• serious brain, heart disease and mental illness
• uncomfortable reactions

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Other: Potted Mint Plants Intervention; We will measure 2 indoor environments (living room and bedroom) for placing potted plants. We will analyze the effect of potted mint plants on indoor air quality, fungal and bacterial concentration, and explore the correlation between the intervention of potted mint plants and cardiovascular health.	Other: Potted Mint Plants; We will measure 2 indoor environments (living room and bedroom) for placing potted plants.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Improve Indoor Air Quality	one week

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Taiwan University Hospital
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Su ta chen, PI, NTUH

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 9, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 12, 2020
• Study Completion (Anticipated): July 31, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 21, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 21, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): July 23, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): December 1, 2020
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 30, 2020
• Last Verified: July 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Bacteria; Cardiovascular health; Indoor air quality; Fungus; Potted mint plants
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Cardiovascular Diseases
• Other Study ID Numbers: 202005078RIND

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No