Efficacy of a nootropic spearmint extract on reactive agility: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel trial

Paul H Falcone, Aaron C Tribby, Roxanne M Vogel, Jordan M Joy, Jordan R Moon, Chantelle A Slayton, Micah M Henigman, Joanne A Lasrado, Brandon J Lewis, Brenda A Fonseca, Kristin M Nieman, Kelli A Herrlinger, Paul H Falcone, Aaron C Tribby, Roxanne M Vogel, Jordan M Joy, Jordan R Moon, Chantelle A Slayton, Micah M Henigman, Joanne A Lasrado, Brandon J Lewis, Brenda A Fonseca, Kristin M Nieman, Kelli A Herrlinger

Abstract

Background: Proprietary spearmint extract (PSE) containing a minimum 14.5% rosmarinic acid and 24% total phenolic content, has evinced positive effects on cognition in individuals aged 50-70 with memory impairment after chronic supplementation. To address the growing interest in connecting mental and physical performance, the present study examined whether the nootropic effects of PSE translate into changes in reactive agility following daily supplementation with PSE.

Methods: Utilizing a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design, healthy, recreationally-active men and women (n = 142) received 900 mg of PSE or placebo (PLA) daily for 90 days. Reactive agility, our primary outcome, was determined by measuring the number of hits and average reaction time (ART) on a Makoto Arena II, a 3600 audio-visual device that measures stationary, lateral, and multi-directional active choice reaction performance. Safety was evaluated using complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, and blood lipids. Measurements were evaluated on days 7, 30, and 90 of supplementation.

Results: An overall treatment effect (p = 0.019) was evident for increased hits with PSE on the stationary test with footplates, with between group differences at Day 30 (PSE vs. PLA: 28.96 ± 2.08 vs. 28.09 ± 1.92 hits; p = 0.040) and Day 90 (PSE vs. PLA: 28.42 ± 2.54 vs. 27.02 ± 3.55 hits; p = 0.002). On the same task, ART improved (treatment effect, p = 0.036) with PSE at Day 7 (PSE vs. PLA: 0.5896 ± 0.060 vs. 0.6141 ± 0.073 s; p = 0.049) and Day 30 (PSE vs. PLA: 0.5811 ± 0.068 vs. 0.6033 ± 0.055 s; p = 0.049). PSE also significantly increased hits (treatment effect, p = 0.020) at Day 30 (PSE vs. PLA: 19.25 ± 1.84 vs. 18.45 ± 1.48 hits; p = 0.007) and Day 90 (PSE vs. PLA: 19.39 ± 1.90 vs. 18.66 ± 1.64 hits; p = 0.026) for the multi-directional test with footplates. Significant differences were not observed in the remaining Makoto tests. PSE was well tolerated as evidenced by no effects observed in the blood safety panels.

Conclusions: The findings of the current study demonstrate that consumption of 900 mg of PSE improved specific measures of reactive agility in a young, active population.

Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02518165 . Registered August 7, 2015 - retrospectively registered.

Keywords: Agility; Cognition; Makoto; Nootropic; Polyphenols; Reaction time; Rosmarinic acid; Spearmint.

Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Quorum Review IRB, Seattle, WA approved the study protocol and informed consent documents prior to initiation of the study. Participants provided written consent after the study procedures were explained to them.

Consent for publication

N/A

Competing interests

Brandon Lewis, Joanne Lasrado, Brenda Fonseca, and Kelli Herrlinger are employees of Kemin Foods, L.C., manufacturers of PSE.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
CONSORT diagram for Study Participants. A total of 485 participants were screened. Healthy active young men and women were randomly assigned to one of two treatments, 0 PLA or 900 mg/day PSE (Total randomized N = 142; N = 69 (PLA), N = 73 (PSE)). A total of 54 and 52 subjects completed the trial in the PLA and 900 mg/day PSE groups, respectively. Abbreviations: PSE, proprietary spearmint extract; PLA, placebo; AE, adverse event
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Experimental study design. Abbreviations: PSE, proprietary spearmint extract; PLA, placebo
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Makoto device used for measurement of reactive agility
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Number of hits obtained with the stationary Makoto with footplates assessment for 30 s. Abbreviations: PSE, proprietary spearmint extract; PLA, placebo. Data are presented as mean ± SD. * represents p < 0.05 difference from PLA; ** represents p < 0.01 difference from PLA
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Hits obtained with the multi-directional Makoto with footplates assessment over 30 s. Abbreviations: PSE, proprietary spearmint extract; PLA, placebo. Data are presented as mean ± SD. * represents p 

Fig. 6

Stress and Inflammatory Markers. Cortisol…

Fig. 6

Stress and Inflammatory Markers. Cortisol ( a ), interleukin 6 (IL6, b ),…

Fig. 6
Stress and Inflammatory Markers. Cortisol (a), interleukin 6 (IL6, b), C-Reactive Protein (CRP) raw scores (c) and CRP change from baseline (d) are shown. Abbreviations: PSE, proprietary spearmint extract; PLA, placebo; BL, baseline. Data are presented as mean ± SD. ^ indicates p = 0.030 difference at baseline, therefore ANCOVA was utilized to identify a significant treatment x visit interaction with between group differences at Day 30 (* p < 0.05)
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Stress and Inflammatory Markers. Cortisol (a), interleukin 6 (IL6, b), C-Reactive Protein (CRP) raw scores (c) and CRP change from baseline (d) are shown. Abbreviations: PSE, proprietary spearmint extract; PLA, placebo; BL, baseline. Data are presented as mean ± SD. ^ indicates p = 0.030 difference at baseline, therefore ANCOVA was utilized to identify a significant treatment x visit interaction with between group differences at Day 30 (* p < 0.05)

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