(圖片摘自www.sciencealert.com)
2016年4月25日 訊 /生物谷BIOON/--新的科學研究發現:薑黃中的主要成分--薑黃素能夠有效提高老年人的記憶力與注意力。
此前研究認為薑黃素能夠抑制小鼠的創傷記憶,並且有助於傷口的恢復。而在最近的這一研究中,澳大利亞研究者們發現薑黃素還能夠保持老年人的記憶。
但是它的功效是如何實現的呢?
"薑黃素具有多種生理學功能",該研究的首席研究者,來自斯溫伯恩理工大學的Andrew Scholey說道:"它能夠降低炎症反應,促進血液流通,並且能夠對大腦的功能起到正面的影響"。
在最初的研究中,Scholey團隊招募了60名志願者(年齡分布在60-85歲),之後將其分為兩組。其中一組給與薑黃素膠囊藥物,另外一組則給予安慰劑。
之後,這些志願者被要求完成一系列基於計算機的心智測試:比如回憶單詞或者圖片,簡單的減法以及反應時間測試等等。在服藥之後的幾個小時候開始測試,每天一次,持續4周。
總體上講,服用了薑黃素膠囊的志願者在心智測試環節表現比對照組更好,而且疲乏的感覺也有明顯降低,同時冷靜感、自信心、抗壓能力等等表現都要更好。
"這是首次有關薑黃素對人類認知與精神狀態影響的研究",相關結果發表在《Journal of Psychopharmacology》雜誌上。
同時,他們還發現了薑黃素的其它功效
"服用薑黃素會顯著降低血液中總體膽固醇以及低密度脂蛋白的含量,同時不會影響其它血液健康指標"。研究者們寫道。
目前,研究者們已經拿到了專門用於研究薑黃素功效的經費資助,他們將會通過神經成像以及遺傳學標記等方式更好地理解薑黃素的功能。
也許有一天,薑黃素會像從柳樹皮中分離出的阿司匹林,或者像從罌粟中分離出的嗎啡一樣成為一類明星藥物。(生物谷Bioon.com)
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Investigation of the effects of solid lipid curcumin on cognition and mood in a healthy older population
doi:10.1177/0269881114552744
Katherine HM Cox, Andrew Pipingas, Andrew B Scholey
Curcumin possesses many properties which may prevent or ameliorate pathological processes underlying age-related cognitive decline, dementia or mood disorders. These benefits in preclinical studies have not been established in humans. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examined the acute (1 and 3 h after a single dose), chronic (4 weeks) and acute-on-chronic (1 and 3 h after single dose following chronic treatment) effects of solid lipid curcumin formulation (400 mg as Longvida®) on cognitive function, mood and blood biomarkers in 60 healthy adults aged 60–85. One hour after administration curcumin significantly improved performance on sustained attention and working memory tasks, compared with placebo. Working memory and mood (general fatigue and change in state calmness, contentedness and fatigue induced by psychological stress) were significantly better following chronic treatment. A significant acute-on-chronic treatment effect on alertness and contentedness was also observed. Curcumin was associated with significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol and had no effect on hematological safety measures. To our knowledge this is the first study to examine the effects of curcumin on cognition and mood in a healthy older population or to examine any acute behavioral effects in humans. Results highlight the need for further investigation of the potential psychological and cognitive benefits of curcumin in an older population.