Efficacy of Ethanolic Extract of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten Stems for Improving Cognitive Function in Elderly Subjects 55-85 Years of Age: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.
- 2020-11-01
- Journal of medicinal food 23(11)
- Eun Hye Han
- Mi Kyung Lim
- Soyeon Lee
- Sang Ho Lee
- Su Min Yun
- Heui-Jong Yu
- Seung-Ho Ryu
- Young-Hee Lim
- PubMed: 33006504
- DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2019.4678
Study Design
- Type
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- Population
- aged people (n = 81)
- Methods
- randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 12 weeks of administration of OFE (a mixture of ethanolic extract of O. ficus-indica var. Saboten stem and dextrin) or placebo
- Blinding
- Double-blind
- Duration
- 12 weeks
Many natural compounds have been reported to improve cognitive function in cell- and animal-based studies. In this clinical trial, we evaluated the efficacy of ethanolic extract of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten stem for improving cognitive function using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (n = 81) in aged people. After 12 weeks of administration of OFE (a mixture of ethanolic extract of O. ficus-indica var. Saboten stem and dextrin) or placebo, the effect on cognitive function was assessed. Overall, OFE did not show a significant difference from the placebo in terms of efficacy. However, the cognitive function significantly improved in the OFE group compared with the placebo group in the subgroup ≤70 years of age, which means that the effect of OFE administration exhibits an age-dependent effect. In addition, the safety of OFE was confirmed by analyzing blood test results, vital signs, and electrocardiograms. In conclusion, OFE administration in participants ≤70 years of age shows a positive effect on overall cognitive function. The trial was registered on CRIS (the Clinical Research Information Service), administered by the Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (Registration Number: KCT0003766; URL: https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/en/search/search_result_st01.jsp?seq=12957).