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An extract of Salvia (sage) with anticholinesterase properties improves memory and attention in healthy older volunteers

Lookup NU author(s): Nicola Tildesley, Dr Clive Ballard, Dr Andrea Tasker, Emeritus Professor Elaine Perry

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Abstract

Rationale: Species of Salvia (sage) have a long-standing reputation in European medical herbalism, including for memory enhancement. In recent controlled trials, administration of sage extracts with established cholinergic properties improved cognitive function in young adults. Objectives: This randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, balanced, five-period crossover study investigated the acute effects on cognitive performance of a standardised extract of Salvia officinalis in older adults. Materials and methods: Twenty volunteers (>65 years of age, mean=72.95) received four active doses of extract (167, 333, 666 and 1332 mg) and a placebo with a 7-day wash-out period between visits. Assessment involved completion of the Cognitive Drug Research computerised assessment battery. On study days, treatments were administered immediately following a baseline assessment with further assessment at 1, 2.5, 4 and 6 h post treatment. Results: Compared with the placebo condition (which exhibited the characteristic performance decline over the day), the 333-mg dose was associated with significant enhancement of secondary memory performance at all testing times. The same measure benefited to a lesser extent from other doses. There also were significant improvements to accuracy of attention following the 333-mg dose. In vitro analysis confirmed cholinesterase inhibiting properties for the extract. Conclusions: The overall pattern of results is consistent with a dose-related benefit to processes involved in efficient stimulus processing and/or memory consolidation rather than retrieval or working memory efficiency. These findings extend those of the memory-enhancing effects of Salvia extracts in younger populations and warrant further investigation in larger series, in other populations and with different dosing regimes. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Scholey AB, Tildesley NTJ, Ballard CG, Wesnes KA, Tasker A, Perry EK, Kennedy DO

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Psychopharmacology

Year: 2008

Volume: 198

Issue: 1

Pages: 127-139

Print publication date: 01/05/2008

ISSN (print): 0033-3158

ISSN (electronic): 1432-2072

Publisher: Springer

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00213-008-1101-3

DOI: 10.1007/s00213-008-1101-3

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