Effects of a Scutellaria baicalensis/Crataegus laevigata, magnesium and chromium supplement on stressed individuals: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

2025-11-05
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) 39(12)
- Fiona Dodd
- Ramon Weishaupt
- Philipp K M Katumba
- Rian Elcoate
- Emma Wightman

PubMed: 41194549
DOI: 10.1177/02698811251381261

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: 43 participants (35 analysed) aged 18-75 years
Methods: chronic and acute effects of a S. baicalensis, C. laevigata, and magnesium/chromium containing herbal supplement vs placebo for 15 days
Blinding: Double-blind
Duration: 15 days
Funding: Unclear

Background

Chronic stress is prevalent in most societies, impairing cognition, mood, and social functioning. Research suggests that supplements containing extracts from Scutellaria baicalensis root and Crataegus laevigata fruits may offer support in this regard.

Aims

To investigate the acute and chronic effects of a S. baicalensis, C. laevigata, and magnesium/chromium containing herbal supplement on psychological well-being, cognition, and sleep in subjectively stressed but principally healthy adults.

Methods

Forty-three participants (35 analysed) aged 18-75 years received the herbal supplement and a placebo for 15 days. Psychological well-being, and sleep were measured after 7 and 15 days of treatment. Cognitive performance was evaluated following a bolus dose of two tablets and after 15 days, with and without an observed multitasking stressor.

Results

The herbal supplement significantly improved performance on a task of attention and working memory (as evidenced by a reduction in serial 3's subtraction errors) following an acute dose and improved working memory performance (an increase in the number of correct serial 7's subtraction) during the stressor, irrespective of dose. Cognitive effects were less consistent in the absence of the stressor. Chronic supplementation improved mood and anxiety, reducing total mood disturbance, anger/hostility, and Trait anxiety scores. A higher proportion of subjects experienced ⩾30% gains in social satisfaction scores after 7 days. No serious adverse effects were reported.

Conclusions

The herbal supplement is safe and enhances mood, reduces subjective anxiety, and improves cognition under stress, though cognitive effects are variable without stress exposure.The study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT05757050).

Research Insights

Chromium→Improved Social Satisfaction
A higher proportion of subjects experienced ⩾30% gains in social satisfaction scores after 7 days
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
two tablets
Chromium→Increased Correct Serial 7s Subtraction
improved working memory performance (an increase in the number of correct serial 7's subtraction) during the stressor, irrespective of dose
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
two tablets
Chromium→Reduced Anger and Hostility
Chronic supplementation improved mood and anxiety, reducing ... anger/hostility
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
two tablets
Chromium→Reduced Mood Disturbance
Chronic supplementation improved mood and anxiety, reducing total mood disturbance
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
two tablets
Chromium→Reduced Subtraction Error
significantly improved performance on a task of attention and working memory (as evidenced by a reduction in serial 3's subtraction errors) following an acute dose
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
two tablets
Chromium→Reduced Trait Anxiety
Chronic supplementation improved mood and anxiety, reducing ... Trait anxiety scores
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
two tablets
Magnesium→Improved Social Satisfaction
A higher proportion of subjects experienced ⩾30% gains in social satisfaction scores after 7 days
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
two tablets
Magnesium→Increased Correct Serial 7s Subtraction
improved working memory performance (an increase in the number of correct serial 7's subtraction) during the stressor, irrespective of dose
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
two tablets
Magnesium→Reduced Anger and Hostility
Chronic supplementation improved mood and anxiety, reducing ... anger/hostility
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
two tablets
Magnesium→Reduced Mood Disturbance
Chronic supplementation improved mood and anxiety, reducing total mood disturbance
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
two tablets
Magnesium→Reduced Subtraction Error
significantly improved performance on a task of attention and working memory (as evidenced by a reduction in serial 3's subtraction errors) following an acute dose
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
two tablets
Magnesium→Reduced Trait Anxiety
Chronic supplementation improved mood and anxiety, reducing ... Trait anxiety scores
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
two tablets

Adverse Events Reported

Chromium→Overall tolerability
No serious adverse effects were reported.
Finding
Reported
Magnesium→Overall tolerability
No serious adverse effects were reported.
Finding
Reported