Abstract
Due to the increase of stress-related memory impairment accompanying with the COVID-19 pandemic and financial crisis, the prevention of cognitive decline induced by stress has gained much attention. Based on the evidence that an anthocyanin-rich mulberry milk demonstrated the cognitive enhancing effect, we hypothesized that it should be able to enhance memory in working-age volunteers who are exposed to working stress. This study is an open-label, two-arm randomized study. Both men and women volunteers at age between 18 and 60 years old were randomly assigned to consume the tested product either 1 or 2 servings daily for 6 weeks. All subjects were assessed for cortisol, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), monoamine oxidase (MAO), monoamine oxidase type A (MAO-A), and monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) in saliva, and their working memory was determined both at baseline and at a 6-week period. The results showed that the working memory of subjects in both groups was enhanced at the end of the study period together with the reduction of saliva cortisol. The suppression of AChE, MAO, and MAO-A was also observed in subjects who consumed the tested product 2 servings daily. Therefore, we suggest the memory enhancing effect of an anthocyanin-rich mulberry milk. The possible mechanism may occur primarily via the suppression of cortisol. In addition, the high dose of mulberry milk also suppresses AChE, MAO, and MAO-A.
Highlights
Stress, an inevitable event nowadays, is continually rising worldwide
Living in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic and financial crisis gives rise to the unintended adverse effects of stress including the increase risk of stress-related memory impairment [1, 2]
In the study of cognitive function, especially in learning and memory area, one capability that gains much attention is the assessment of power of attention, which includes the abilities of attention and information processing [15]
Summary
Living in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic and financial crisis gives rise to the unintended adverse effects of stress including the increase risk of stress-related memory impairment [1, 2]. Stress activates the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis which in turn gives rise to the release of glucocorticoids especially cortisol or stress hormone and results in memory deficit [3]. Due to the important roles of working memory on a daily life activity and on career success together with the increasing stress prevalence, the prevention of stress-related cognitive impairment has gained much attention. We have demonstrated the clinical evidence that within 1.5 hours after the consumption of an anthocyanin-rich mulberry milk which contains mulberry fruit 10 g, the children at the age between 6 and 12 years old show the reduction of saliva cortisol together with the memory enhancement [8]
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