The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) regularly reviews scientific literature for new research that may be useful to the herbal products and supplement industries. 

Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis to Assess Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Females Taking Oral Creatine Monohydrate
The authors performed meta-analysis on creatine monohydrate (CrM) studies to gain insight into the outcomes of its use within the female population. Based on the analysis of the data set, the authors concluded that, in females, mortality and serious adverse events were not associated with CrM supplementation. Nor did the use of creatine supplementation increase the risk of total adverse outcomes, weight gain, or renal and hepatic complications in females. The authors recommended that future studies of creatine supplementation in females should consider surveillance and comprehensive reporting of adverse outcomes to better inform participants and health professionals involved in future trials.

MDPI, June 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061780

Probiotic Administration Increases Amino Acid Absorption from Plant Protein
In this two week, randomized, double-blind, study with a four-week washout period, 15 physically active men co-ingested 20 grams of pea protein with either AminoAlta, a multi-strain probiotic, or a placebo to see how it affected the absorption of amino acids from plant proteins. Probiotic administration significantly increased methionine, histidine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, tyrosine, total BCAA, and total EAA maximum concentrations (Cmax) and AUC without significantly changing the time to reach maximum concentrations. The authors of the study concluded that co-administration of plant protein with a multi-strain probiotic can increase post-prandial changes in blood amino acids including EAAs and BCAAs, which are closely linked to optimization of muscle health.

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins, May 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-020-09656-5

Combination of Panax Ginseng & Angelica Sinensis Alleviates Ischemia Brain Injury By Suppressing NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation & Microglial Pyroptosis
This study investigated the underlying mechanisms of the combination of Panax ginseng and Angelica sinensis (CPA) in the treatment of stroke, and whether CPA has neuroprotective effects via suppressing Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and microglial pyroptosis against ischemic injury in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats. The authors concluded that CPA treatment attenuates cerebral injury via inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasomes activation and microglial pyroptosis after stroke, which is at least partially involved in the amelioration of Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission.

Phytomedicine, September 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153251

Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on VO2max: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
This study provides a systematic review of scientific literature about the effects of supplementation with ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), and directions for clinical practice. A systematic search was conducted in three electronic databases and the quality of evidence was evaluated according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Five studies were selected (162 participants) and four were included in the meta-analysis (142 participants). It was concluded that ashwagandha supplementation might improve the VO2max in athletes and non-athletes. However, further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis since the number of studies is limited and the heterogeneity was high.

Nutrients, April 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12041119

Genetic Diversity Targets & Indicators in the CBD Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework Must Be Improved
The 196 parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will soon agree to a post-2020 global framework for conserving the three elements of biodiversity (genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity) while ensuring sustainable development and benefit sharing. They asserted that to meet global conservation goals, genetic diversity within all species—not just agricultural species and their wild relatives—must be conserved and monitored using appropriate metrics. Building on other recently published suggestions, the authors recommended an expansion and augmentation of three new, pragmatic genetic indicators and modifications to two current indicators for maintaining genetic diversity and adaptive capacity of all species, and also provide guidance on practical implementation. The indicators are: 1) the number of populations with effective population size above versus below 500; 2) the proportion of populations maintained within species; and 3) the number of species and populations in which genetic diversity is monitored using DNA-based methods.

Biological Conservation, August 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108654

Central Nervous System Activities of Mangifera indica
This study investigated neurocognitive activities of Mangifera indica leaf extract (MLE) and mangiferin, a major compound in mango leaves, and also the translational potential of MLE. Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover clinical trials were conducted, each with 16 subjects. EEG recordings, psychometric tests, mood state, and tolerability were studied at two time points after oral administration of 500 mg MLE. In both translational clinical trials MLE was well tolerated, with no cardiovascular side-effects. In both studies MLE caused significant spectral changes in brain electrical activity in cortical regions during cognitive challenges, different to the attenuated spectral changes induced by caffeine. There were no significant changes in the psychometric tests other than reaction time for all groups. In the second study, there was a trend to faster reaction time within group for MLE (p = 0.066) and the percentage improvement in reaction time for MLE compared to placebo was significant (p = 0.049). In the first study MLE improved all scores for Profile of Mood States (POMS), with the score for “fatigue” significantly improved (p = 0.015); in the second study the POMS score for “dejection” was improved in the caffeine group, p = 0.05. It was concluded that mangiferin is a catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor of moderate potency and is the major CNS-active compound in MLE. Both mangiferin and MLE increase hippocampal LTP in vitro, and induce a similar pattern of changes in brain electrical activity in vivo.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, October 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.112996

Turmeric, Cinnamon Supplement Improves Cognitive Function in Clinical Trial
This study examined the long-term effects of a botanical supplement containing cinnamon, turmeric/curcumin, chromium, and alpha-lipoic acid on blood glucose (BG), blood lipids, and cognitive measures of healthy, older adults. Healthy, older adults aged 51 to 79 years (N = 30, 16 females, 14 males) were randomized to consume either 4 tablets/day of the active dietary supplement (1,400 mg blend of cinnamon [Cinnamomum cassia bark extract], curcumin, turmeric [Curcuma longa L. root extract and powder], chromium, and alpha-lipoic acid) or a placebo for three months in a double-blind between-subjects trial. After the two- and three-month time points there was a trend for a greater fall in BG in those taking the supplement. However, at completion of the study there were no statistically significant overall effects of supplementation on either BG levels or hemoglobin A1c. There was a positive effect of the supplement on total cholesterol and for individuals who had poorer glucose control. The findings suggested the chronic ingestion of a dietary supplement containing cinnamon and curcumin/turmeric extracts, chromium and alpha-lipoic acid positively impacts blood lipids as well as aspects of cognitive performance in healthy individuals assessed during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Current Developments in Nutrition, June 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzaa045_126

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Holly Johnson, PhD
American Herbal Products Association (AHPA)

Holly E. Johnson PhD, is the chief science officer at the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) where she is the primary scientific resource for the organization, providing individualized technical guidance to member organizations and helping the herbal industry use the latest science, technology and research to ensure consumers continue to have informed access to innovative, safe and effective herbal products. Dr. Johnson took her PhD in Pharmacognosy at the College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois – Chicago (UIC), under renowned Pharmacognosist and researcher Dr. Norman Farnsworth. She is currently a Research Associate with the National Tropical Botanical Garden and serves on AOAC Stakeholders Panels and Expert Review Panels for Foods and Dietary Supplements. She is a member of the USP Medical Cannabis Expert Panel, the Editorial Board of the AOAC International Journal, and also serves on the Advisory Boards of the American Botanical Council and the American Herbal Pharmacoepia. She can be reached at [email protected]; 301-588-1171, ext. 103.