Coriandrum Sativum Seeds Improve Memory, Alleviate Anxiety and Depression, and Enhance Sleep Quality in University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

August 11, 2023 updated by: Abdelrahim Alqudah, The Hashemite University
C. sativum could potentially serve as a memory enhancer for university students. It is considered a preferable option to stimulant drugs due to its safety profile. Additionally, C. sativum may have positive effects on anxiety, depression, and sleep quality. However, it is important to note that the current body of research on the effects of oral C. sativum on the brain and nervous system is limited, and further studies are necessary to fully understand its potential benefits. Thus, this study aims to assess the impact of oral C. sativum on memory performance, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in university students.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Coriander, scientifically known as Coriandrum sativum L (C. sativum), is an ancient herb that belongs to the Apiaceae family. It has a rich history of more than 3,000 years of use in both culinary and medicinal practices. While originally native to Mediterranean regions, coriander is now cultivated in various countries worldwide. In traditional medicine, all parts of the coriander plant have been consumed and utilized to address gastrointestinal ailments like anorexia, dyspepsia, flatulence, diarrhea, pain, and vomiting. In Jordanian traditional medicine, C. sativum has been valued for its anticonvulsant, antidepressant, sedative, and anxiolytic properties. Studies have reported diverse health benefits associated with C. sativum seeds and leaves, including antioxidant, diuretic, cholesterol-lowering, anxiolytic, sedative-hypnotic, and anticonvulsant activities. Notably, the main component of C. sativum, linalool, along with γ-terpinene and α-pinene, exhibit various neuropharmacological effects, such as anti-anxiety, sedative, anticonvulsant, and anti-Alzheimer's disease properties. Additionally, C. sativum seeds are recognized as a valuable source of vitamins, lipids, and minerals like potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and zinc.

Several studies have indicated the positive effects of C. sativum on memory, anxiety, and depression. In a specific study, the aqueous extract derived from the seeds of C. sativum demonstrated significant reductions in monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity over time, suggesting its primary role in exerting antidepressant-like effects. Another study reported that the administration of C. sativum leaves improved memory performance and hindered the aging process in rats in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, it was observed that C. sativum leaves reversed memory impairments induced by scopolamine and diazepam, while also significantly reducing brain cholinesterase activity and serum total cholesterol levels. Another study evaluated the effects of the ethanolic extract of C. sativum seeds on learning in second-generation mice. Although the plant extract did not enhance learning in the short term following training, it did show improvements in long-term learning. Additionally, in an animal model of anxiety, the effects of different doses (10 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg administered intraperitoneally) of the aqueous extract of C. sativum seeds were evaluated in terms of motor activity and neuromuscular function. In the elevated plus-maze test, the 100 mg/kg dose of the seeds' aqueous extract exhibited anxiolytic effects by increasing the time spent in and the number of entries into the open arms.

Anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders are prevalent among university students, and these conditions can have a considerable impact on their memory function. Consequently, there has been a rise in the use of stimulant drugs among university students as a means to enhance memory performance and attention, despite the fact that such use is unapproved and non-therapeutic which might be associated with several side effects. As a result, there is a growing interest among neuroscience researchers to identify cognitive-enhancing drugs that can be safely used by healthy individuals without adverse effects.

Given the information provided, it is suggested that C. sativum could potentially serve as a memory enhancer for university students. It is considered a preferable option to stimulant drugs due to its safety profile. Additionally, C. sativum may have positive effects on anxiety, depression, and sleep quality. However, it is important to note that the current body of research on the effects of oral C. sativum on the brain and nervous system is limited, and further studies are necessary to fully understand its potential benefits. Thus, this study aims to assess the impact of oral C. sativum on memory performance, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in university students.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

86

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

      • Zarqa, Jordan, 13133
        • Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male or female university Student.
  • 19-23 of age

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Medical diseases.
  • Psychiatric disorders.
  • Using any form of medication (including complementary and alternative medicines).
  • Pregnant and lactating individuals.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Coriandrum sativum group
500 mg of C. sativum (capsules) were administered twice daily
Each group consisted of 50 students. In the C. sativum group, dried powdered seeds of C. sativum were administered, while in the control group, starch was provided as a placebo. Both the C. sativum and placebo capsules were identical in shape, color, and outer packaging to maintain the blinding of the participants.
Other Names:
  • Coriandrum
Placebo Comparator: control group
500 mg of starch (capsules) were administered twice daily
Each group consisted of 50 students. In the C. sativum group, dried powdered seeds of C. sativum were administered, while in the control group, starch was provided as a placebo. Both the C. sativum and placebo capsules were identical in shape, color, and outer packaging to maintain the blinding of the participants.
Other Names:
  • Coriandrum

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Memory performance
Time Frame: 30 days
Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire was performed
30 days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Anxiety and depression
Time Frame: 30 days
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was perfomed
30 days
Sleep quality
Time Frame: 30 days
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory questionnaire was perfoemed
30 days

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 1, 2022

Primary Completion (Actual)

July 1, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

July 1, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 3, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 11, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

August 21, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 21, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 11, 2023

Last Verified

August 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

All participants data will be hidden

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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