Impact of a Dietary Supplement Containing Rosemary and Daylily on Biochemical Markers of Cognitive Health, Sleep Quality and Related Variables in Men and Women

Abstract

Background: We investigated the influence of a botanical agent to improve sleep quality and associated measures in men and women with self-reported difficulty sleeping. Methods: 32 individuals were randomly assigned in double blind manner to ingest a botanical agent (CLOCK?, containing Rosemary [Rosmarinus officinalis] and Daylily [Hemerocallis fulva]) or a placebo over a 6-week intervention. During weeks 1 and 2, subjects ingested one serving of the assigned condition, followed by a two-week washout. During weeks 5 and 6, subjects ingested two servings of the condition. The Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire was used as an outcome measure, as were subjective measures of sleep quality, energy level, and mood. Blood samples collected pre- and post-intervention were assayed for acetylcholine (ACH), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin, and melatonin. Results: No differences were noted between conditions in measures of sleep (p > 0.05). While no differences of statistical significance were noted in subjective feelings, during weeks 5 and 6 as compared to baseline, subjects assigned to the supplement noted an 8% increase in attentiveness, an 11% increase in alertness, a 12% increase in focus, a 14% increase in feeling energetic, a 12% increase in enthusiasm, a 23% increase in feeling well rested, an 11% decrease in feeling sluggish, and a 16% decrease in feeling depressed, without the same improvement observed for subjects in the placebo group. All biochemical measures were increased from pre- to post-treatment with two servings of the supplement; the largest percent increase noted for BDNF (27%) and the largest effect size noted for irisin (d = 1.36). Biochemical values for the placebo condition were unchanged. Conclusions: CLOCK? may have an impact on certain measurements of mood, with a significant impact on the biochemical marker, BDNF. Future studies using a larger sample size and perhaps a cross-over design may help to further clarify the impact of this dietary supplement on aspects of sleep quality, mood, and other related variables.