Botanical Extract Linked to Positive Sleep, Anxiety-Related Outcomes

A dietary supplement ingredient consisting of a purified lemon verbena extract appeared to significantly improve self-reported and monitored sleep quality, along with levels of hormones associated with stress and anxiety.
 
The supplement ingredient, marketed as Relaxplx by Monteloeder, was assessed for efficacy in these areas in a population of 40 participants in a clinical trial appearing in the journal Nutrients.
 
“It is common knowledge that lack of quality sleep can have negative impacts on many areas of both mental and physical wellbeing, and we are very pleased with the results of this study that may offer some hope and support,” Marcos Lopez, regional director of business development for Monteloeder, said. Citing the U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey, Lopez noted that 2021 U.S. Census data reported elevating rates of anxiety and depression in people aged 18-44. “Natural, effective solutions like Relaxplx are urgently needed as concerns about sleep and mental wellbeing have risen exponentially and today are some of the leading health challenges faced by consumers.”
 
Participants in the study were randomized to take either a placebo or 400 mg of the verbacoside-purified lemon verbena extract for two months. During the intervention, the participants used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and were monitored using Fitbit trackers, with data collected at baseline, one month, two months, and after a one-month washout period.
 
The supplementation group saw a 26% reduction in PSQI scores after the washout period, indicating a significant improvement in perceived sleep quality, while no significant differences were seen in the placebo group. Stratifying the data based on gender showed that female participants reported a more rapid decrease in PSQI scores than male subjects, with significant decreases observed in as early as one month.
 
Fitbit trackers assessed a number of parameters including minutes asleep, minutes awake, number of times awakened, REM, deep sleep, and light sleep. While no significant changes were observed in the placebo group during the duration of the study, significant improvements were observed in those taking Relaxplx after 2 months of supplementation – specifically, a significant reduction was seen in the number of times awakened during the night, while the time spent in deep sleep and REM were significantly increased compared to the placebo group.
 
The authors of the study noted that prior studies have shown that the polyphenol verbacoside in the ingredient can bind to the GABA-A receptor in a similar fashion as benzodiazepines, suggesting a potential mechanism of action for this ingredient. Notably, in the present study, a 15.6% decrease in cortisol levels were detected in the supplement group after two months of intake compared to baseline, and these results came in tandem with 11% reductions in Perceived Stress Scale scores in this group at two months after baseline.
 
Another prior study expounded upon these findings, indicating that Relaxplx is associated with increases in serotonin, noradrenaline/norepinephrine, and dopamine.