Effect of Menoforce® on cognitive function and cardiovascular risk factors

Abstract

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests a strong correlation between members of the sage family and cognitive function, showing memory enhancing effects, which have led to the use of it being explored as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, sage has been linked to have had antioxidant effects on cardiovascular risk factors, consequently improving blood pressure (BP). However, studies which have investigated the effects of sage on cognitive function are limited to know if sage has protracted effects. Aims/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Menoforce® - (51mg sage) on cognitive function in healthy 18-60 year olds, with the use of the following cognitive/memory tests carried out on PEBL; Corsi block; Digital memory span; Staircase memory span. The study also looked at the effects of antioxidant content on cardiovascular parameters. Anthropometry measurements were taken; BP; HR; Height and weight. Methods: A single unblinded study In which eleven participants were recruited (aged 18-60) all of which were given a course of sage tablets (Menoforce 51g tablets) to take one tablet daily for 7 days. Cognitive function was assessed using three memory tests using the software PEBL, assessing a range of memory functions at baseline, acute and chronic stages (baseline = day 0, acute = day 2, chronic = day 8). Anthropometry measurements of height and weight were taken at baseline, whilst BP and HR were measured at all three stages. These results were statistically analysed to find significant results with a P. value of <0.05. Results: Menoforce® showed a significant difference in memory span and the total number of correct trials for the Corsi block test (p<0.05). The one-way ANOVA also showed significant results in memory span for the Dspan test for acute and chronic treatment (p<0.05), as well as a significant result in the total correct trials between baseline and day 2 (p<0.05). The Mspan test revealed a significant difference in only correct trials between baseline to day 2, and between baseline to day 8 (p<0.05). There was a decline in systolic blood pressure giving significant results from 114±17 mmHg at baseline to 111±12 mmHg at day 8 (p=<0.05). There was no significance seen in DBP or HR throughout the study. Conclusion: The findings of this study shows that seven-day supplementation of 51mg menoforce® has the potential to improve cognitive function, however longer trials are needed to see the long-term effects. Keywords: Menoforce®, Sage, cognitive function, blood pressure, antioxidants, cardiovascular disease