Functional Soup Containing Anthaplex Improves Cognitive Function and Eye Dryness

by | Dec 19, 2023 | 2023, Antioxidants, Brain Health, Cognitive Health, Eye Health, Flavonoids

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. 8-week consumption of 2g or 4g/daily of an Anthaplex-containing soup improved memory test scores, increased serum BDNF (p-value<0.05) and reduced the severity of eye dryness. 

aging womanFlavonoids are a large class of polyphenolic compounds common in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs that influence a diverse array of functions1. Anthocyanins, a subclass of flavonoids, possess the ability to act as free radical scavengers against harmful oxidants such as reactive oxygen species2. Anthocyanins may be beneficial for health through their highly researched effects on cellular antioxidant status and inflammation3.

Anthocyanins have been associated with cognitive health and may promote synaptic plasticity changes and influence memory and learning processes by acting on extracellular receptor kinase4. Furthermore, research reports that they can increase flow-mediated dilatation and cross the blood-brain barrier5. Anthocyanins have also been associated with improved eye health through their ability to promote regeneration and synthesis of rhodopsin and increase the supply of blood to the retina6.

Wattanathorn et al. conducted an 8-week, 3-arm, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to analyze the effect of consumption of a functional soup containing “Anthaplex”, an anthocyanin-rich ingredient, on cognitive function and eye dryness in healthy older adults. Anthaplex contains a mixture of germinated purple corn and rice berry with a total anthocyanin content of approximately 1.608 ± 0.653 mg C3Gg. Subject inclusion consisted of male and female subjects aged 45 to 65 years, 18 < BMI < 25 kg/m2, with no motor disability or vision and hearing impairment, with normal cognitive ability or Montreal Cognitive Score (MoCA) ≥ 25.

69 participants were included in the final analysis and were assigned to the D2 treatment group (n=23), D4 treatment group (n=23) or placebo (n=23). The D2 group consumed 2g of the Anthaplex soup and the D4 group consumed 4g of the soup daily. Each soup serving had 72g carbohydrates, 10.5g fiber, 9.84g fat, and 11.96g protein. The placebo group consumed a soup without Anthaplex that was similar in appearance. Eye assessments were conducted based on the World Health Organization’s ophthalmic examination guidelines to assess eye dryness. Cognitive function was analyzed via non-invasive event-related potential (ERP) and through completion of a variety of memory tests including word recognition, digit vigilance, and spatial working memory. Fecal samples were submitted to identify quantities of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. and to extract short-chain fatty acids (acetic, propionic, and butyric acids).

Blood samples were obtained at baseline and the end of the 8-week intervention to measure markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) and neurotransmitter disturbances (acetylcholine (Ach), gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), monoamine oxidase (MAO)). Additionally, blood samples were used to assess serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), histone acetylase (HAT), histone deacetylase (HDAC), and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT).

No significant differences were noted in age, height, body weight, and body mass index of participants at baseline. Significant findings of the study are as follows:

  • The 2g/daily soup group experienced significantly decreased N100 latency but had an increased N100 amplitude (p-value < 0.05 all) compared to placebo. Those consuming 4g/soup daily showed a significant increase in N100 amplitude (p-value < 0.05).
  • A significant decrease in the simple reaction time test was observed in subjects consuming 2g of Anthaplex soup (p-value < 0.05) compared to placebo. Additionally, subjects consuming either 2g or 4g of soup had an increase in the percent of accuracy response in numeric working memory (p-value < 0.05 all) compared to placebo.
  • Compared to baseline, only the 2g soup group had a significant reduction in eye dryness severity (p-value < 0.05).
  • The 2g/serving group experienced significantly decreased serum AChE activity (p-value < 0.05) compared to placebo. Furthermore, both the 2g and 4g group had a significant elevation of serum BDNF (p-value < 0.05 all) compared to placebo.
  • All intervention groups had an increase in all SCFAs but only the 4g/serving soup group had a significant increase in propionate (p-value < 0.05). Subjects consuming 2g soup had a significant increase in Bifidobacterium spp. amounts (p-value < 0.01).
  • 4g/daily soup participants showed a significant increase in histone acetylase, while 2g/daily soup subjects had a significant reduction of histone deacetylase at the end of the intervention (p-value < 0.01 and 0.05, respectively).

Results of the study show that daily consumption of an Anthaplex-containing soup improved cognitive function through improved memory test scores and increased BDNF, while reducing eye dryness. Further research using larger sample sizes and longer study durations should continue to explore the potential health benefits of Anthaplex.

Source: Wattanathorn, Jintanaporn, Terdthai Tong-Un, Wipawee Thukham-Mee, Pongsatorn Paholpak, and Poonsri Rangseekhajee. “A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of an Anthocyanin-Rich Functional Ingredient on Cognitive Function and Eye Dryness in Late Adulthood Volunteers: Roles of Epigenetic and Gut Microbiome Modulations.” Nutrients 15, no. 16 (2023): 3499.

© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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Posted December 19, 2023.

Taylor Woosley studied biology at Purdue University before becoming a 2016 graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a major in Writing. She currently resides in Glen Ellyn, IL.

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