A Dietary Supplement Containing Chlorophytum Borivilianum and Velvet Bean Improves Sleep Quality in Men and Women
Abstract
Background
Impaired sleep quality is commonplace within industrialized societies, as evidenced by the increasing number of prescription sleep aids available. Certain herbal preparations have been suggested to provide a natural benefit to sleep; however, limited controlled data are available documenting this benefit. In the present study we tested the effect of an experimental dietary supplement, containing the active ingredients Chlorophytum borivilianum and Velvet bean, on sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
Methods
Eighteen healthy and active men and women, with evidence of impaired sleep quality, consumed the supplement daily for 28 days. The PSQI was administered before and after the intervention period. As indicators of safety, resting heart rate and blood pressure were measured, and a complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, and lipid panel were determined.
Results
Sleep quality was influenced by the supplement, as evidenced by an improvement in every category of the PSQI questionnaire (P < 0.05), with most category scores improving approximately 50% from pre to post intervention. No adverse outcomes were noted with use of the supplement, as indicated by no change in resting heart rate, blood pressure, or any bloodborne parameter.
Conclusions
An investigational dietary supplement containing the active ingredients Chlorophytum borivilianum and Velvet bean improves sleep quality in men and women. Additional placebo controlled trials are needed to corroborate these findings in individuals with self-reported sleeping difficulty.
What is the reason for the study?
The researchers were investigating the effects of Chlorophytum Borivilianum and Velvet Bean taken together had on sleep quality.
Who are the participants?
18 healthy men and women with self-reported poor sleep quality
What was the study design?
An exploratory non-blinded trial (usually done to establish a basis for future studies)
What was done?
The subjects were given chlorophytum in combination with mucuna pruriens for 28 days. Each subject filled out a questionnaire on sleep quality before and after the trial.
What was found?
Using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess quality of sleep. the researchers found statistically significant improvements in sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, daytime dysfunction, and PSQI global score.
There was an improvement seen in just about every category of the PSQI questionnaire, some as high as +50%.
What does that mean?
Taking a supplement containing chlorophytum in combination and mucuna pruriens together may improve quality of sleep in those with poor sleep history
Limitations of the study?
A double blind placebo controlled study would have been nice. Instead the researcher decided to pretended to use a placebo. This is what they stated in the FT
All subjects received the active treatment and no placebo condition was used in this study design. However, subjects were instructed that they would have a 50% chance of receiving the active treatment (the supplement) and a 50% chance of receiving the placebo. This design somewhat helped to avoid a “placebo” effect, which is well documented in the biomedical literature
Personally I found it odd that the researchers told the subjects there was a 50% chance they would get a placebo and then issued no placebos. I don’t feel this successfully limits the chances for a placebo effect to occur. I would like to see these results replicated in a placebo controlled study. A larger sample size would be nice to see too.
Takeaway?
While this study does have limitations as noted above, I feel the existing clinical evidence combined with the years and years of positive anecdotal feedback on these two compounds leads to me think there is something to it that is beneficial. With regards to sleep, researchers speculate L-dopa from mucuna pruriens stimulates a growth hormone (GH) response which is “closely related to slow wave sleep.” The GH response to these compounds have been shown in another study. The researchers believe this increase in GH as a result of taking the supplement, may be responsible for the improved sleep quality.
