The effect of short-term consumption of an over the counter preparation of sage on cognitive function in healthy individuals, aged between 18 and 60

Abstract

Background: Salvia Officinalis (sage) is a traditional herbal medicine that has been around since 1500 BC and the use of it became popular in the sixteenth century after the benefits of the herbs were discovered by English herbalist Gerard. Sage is commonly used to prevent post-menopausal symptoms of sweating and hot flushes. Other uses and pharmacological properties of sage has become a research of interest. Sage is becoming known as a cognition enhancing agent and as an anticholinesterase inhibitor that could be beneficial for patients diagnosed with AD. Aims/Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine if a short-term intervention with Menoforce®, an over the counter preparation of Sage, has an effect on the cognitive function in the recruited healthy individuals aged between 18 and 60 in a one week trial. Three cognitive tests: corsi block, digit span and memory test were used to measure different aspects of cognitive function such as visual-spatial memory, reaction time, number processing, word processing, visual memory and working memory. The antioxidants capacity and total polyphenolics concentration was determined in Menoforce® tablets as this may contribute towards the modulation of blood pressure. Methods: Post receiving ethics approval, eighteen participants (aged between 20 and 54) were recruited. Menoforce® tablets were prescribed to each participant to be administered daily for one week. Participants were asked to visit at baseline (day 0), one day post intervention (day 2) and at the end of the 7 day intervention period (day 8), to measure their height, weight, BMI, BP and for them to complete the three cognitive tests using the PEBL 2.0 program. The antioxidants capacity and total polyphenolics concentration was determined using the two validated methods; FRAP assay and Folin and Ciocalteau method. The results were then statistically analysed. Results: A one-way ANOVA test was undertaken to analyze a significant change in memory span and correct trials from each cognitive test. Sage significantly increased the memory span of the participants in corsi block (p<0.001), it was significantly decreased in digit span (p≤.05) and there was no significant difference in the memory span from the memory test on day 8. Sage significantly increased the number of correct trials in the corsi block (p=0.001) on day 8. There was no significant difference in the number of correct trials in the digit span and the memory test on day 8. The Menoforce® tablets used in this study were found to have an average antioxidant capacity of 2.24 mMole FSE/ g and to contain 17.13 mg GAE/g of polyphenolics. Conclusion: The findings of the study is agreement with other published data that proclaim sage as a cognitive enhancing agent as a significant acute improvement in cognitive functions was achieved following the consumption of fresh sage tablets (Menoforce®) over the one week trial. There was no significant differences in the BP. The study suggested that sage has the potential to improve memory, however further research is necessary with a bigger sample as there a paucity of evidence over Keywords: Sage, Salvia officinalis, Cognitive function, Memory, Antioxidants,