Results of clinical study of nootropic and antioxidant activity of Leuzea carthamoides

Introduction. The study of the possibility of increasing mental performance with phytoadaptogens during the learning process of individuals enrolled in institutions of higher education seems quite perspective taking into account the lack of toxicity, adverse effects of herbal preparations and polivalentes of pharmacological actions, including antioxidant activity.

Aim. To study the effect of the drug Leuzea carthamoides on indicators of mental health and antioxidant status in students-volunteers of the third studying year.

Materials and methods. The controlled open randomized study included 20 volunteer students in the third year of the Amur State Medical Academy. The study participants were randomized into two groups, each of 10 people: in the control group, students did not take Leuzea; in the experimental group, students daily took 2 tablets of Leuzea orally 2 times a day for 25 days. The study of cognitive sphere included the use of simple pathopsychological tests: Schulte tables and a test for memorizing 10 words. The intensity of lipid peroxidation processes was assessed by studying the content of lipid hydroperoxides, diene conjugates, Malon dialdehyde and antioxidant system components (ceruloplasmin, vitamin E, catalase) in blood plasma.

Results. There was found the presence of nootropic activity of Leuzea carthamoides: daily intake of medication by students helps to improve memory and faster memorization of a certain amount of material, reducing the level of exhaustion of voluntary attention in comparison with the same indicators in the control group of volunteers. In the analysis of the influence of Leuzea carthamoides on the antioxidant status of the students, it was concluded that the introduction of phytoadaptogens contributes to a statistically significant decrease in plasma content of lipid hydroperoxides by 12%, of diene conjugates and malonic dialdehyde by 18% against the increase of ceruloplasmin activity by 11%, vitamin E by 12%, catalase by 13% compared to the same indicators in the control group of volunteers.

Conclusion. The use of Leuzea carthamoides by students- volunteers leads to stabilization of the processes of peroxidation against the increase of the activity of the main components of the antioxidant system, indicating clinical validity and potential of the use of Leuzea carthamoides by students of higher educational institutions.

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