Abstract
Background: Oroxylum indicum has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for the prevention and treatment of several diseases and may have neuroprotective effects.Purpose: Examine the effects of Oroxylum indicum on cognitive function in older adults with self-reported cognitive complaints.Study Design: Two-arm, parallel-group, 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Methods: Eighty-two volunteers received either 500 mg, twice daily of a standardized Oroxylum indicum extract or placebo. Outcome measures included several computer-based cognitive tasks, the Control, Autonomy, Self-Realization, and Pleasure scale (CASP-19), Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Changes in the concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were also examined.Results: Compared to the placebo, Oroxylum indicum was associated with greater improvements in episodic memory, and on several computer-based cognitive tasks such as immediate word recall and numeric working memory, and a faster rate of learning on the location learning task. However, there were no other significant differences in performance on the other assessed cognitive tests, the MoCA total score, or other self-report questionnaires. BDNF concentrations increased significantly in both groups, with no statistically-significant between-group differences. Oroxylum indicum was well tolerated except for an increased tendency for mild digestive complaints and headaches.Conclusion: The results of this first human trial on the cognitive-enhancing effects of Oroxylum indicum suggest that it is a promising herbal candidate for the improvement of cognitive function in older adults with self-reported cognitive complaints.
Highlights
Oroxylum indicum, known as the Indian Trumpet tree, is a small-to-medium size deciduous tree grown in the Asian subcontinent and belonging to the Bignoniacae family
In vitro studies conducted on oroxylin-A have demonstrated that it inhibits dopamine re-uptake (Dela Pena et al, 2013; Yoon et al, 2013), has an antagonistic effect on the gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA)-A receptor (Kim et al, 2008), and stimulates the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF; Jeon et al, 2011, 2012)
Dopamine and GABA are neurotransmitters believed to play a role in attention, learning, memory, and mood (Kulisevsky, 2000; Mohler, 2009); while BDNF is a protein involved in neuronal survival and growth (Lu et al, 2014)
Summary
Known as the Indian Trumpet tree, is a small-to-medium size deciduous tree grown in the Asian subcontinent and belonging to the Bignoniacae family. Compounds found in the different parts of the Oroxylum indicum plant include flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, saponins, phenols, and quinones (Dinda et al, 2015; Nik Salleh et al, 2020). Oroxylum indicum and its compounds have several biological activities including anticancer, antibacterial, anti-hyperglycemic, cardioprotective, analgesic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects (Dinda et al, 2015; Nik Salleh et al, 2020). Oroxylum indicum has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for the prevention and treatment of several diseases and may have neuroprotective effects.
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