Salicornia ramosissima Extract Provides Some Benefits to Patients with Minor Stroke and TIA

by | Feb 3, 2025 | 2024, Botanicals, Brain Health, Polyphenols, Stroke

Written by Chrystal Moulton, Science Writer. Researchers observed significant improvements in cognitive scores within the treatment group when comparing baseline and endpoint scores at 11months (P<0.05).

aging coupleTransient ischemic attacks [TIA] are characterized by temporary loss of blood flow to a specific area of the brain the causes stroke like symptoms including slurred speech, loss of motor skills, numbness or weakness in face or limbs. Transient ischemic attacks [TIA] also called “mini-strokes” do not cause visible tissue damage or acute infarction. However, it is a sign of impending stroke1. Lifestyle and dietary changes can significantly reduce the risk of stroke2. Research has demonstrated that a diet high in fruits and vegetables could support a healthy lifestyle change and lower the risk of chronic diseases and stroke3,4. Salicornia ramosissima is a plant that grows in Europe that contains more than 60 polyphenolic compounds5. In a previous study, supplementation with S. ramosissima extract was safe for use in healthy volunteers6. Other studies using extracts from various strains of Salicornia plant have demonstrated neuroprotective effects7,8 and benefits against cardiovascular risk factors9,10 . In the current trial, researchers investigated the safety and neuroprotective effects of S. ramosissima extract on patients who experienced a minor stroke or a TIA11.

The study was designed as a triple blind, randomized, placebo controlled, clinical trial. Eligible patients were randomized on a 1:1 basis to receive either 1g of S. ramosissima extract or placebo in capsule form. Patients were instructed to take their assigned protocol daily for 11 months. Clinical assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 months, and 11 months. Patients had to be ≥18 years old who experienced a minor stroke or TIA within the past 2 years and had imaging to rule out other non-vascular lesions in the brain. Patients with dysphagia, hyperthyroidism, who were pregnant or breastfeeding, taking supplements prior to screening, who were involved in another clinical trial, who had any terminal illness, or active neoplastic diseases, and who regularly consumed halophyte plants were excluded. Researchers assessed adverse events at 6 and 11 months. Food frequency and physical activity questionnaires were given at baseline. Cognitive and gait assessment was conducted at baseline and 11months. Venous blood samples were collected at baseline, 6 months, and 11 months. Researchers used the Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA] to assess cognitive function at the beginning and end of the trial; while gait was analyzed across 5 different domains: speed, functional ambulation performance [FAP], strength, balance (Berg scale), and aerobic capacity and endurance (6min walk test or 6MWT). Data was analyzed according to the per protocol approach which included only data from participants that completed the trial.

A total of 80 patients began the study and 59 successfully completed the trial. The average age of participants was 68.1 ±10.1 years old. No significant differences were observed between groups for any demographic or baseline characteristics. There was, however, a significant difference in the distribution of men and women to each group (P=0.012). Researchers also observed no significant difference in lifestyle and physical activity between groups. As for diet, researchers only recorded a significantly higher consumption of pulses in the placebo group compared to the treatment group (P<0.001). The most common disturbances were GI related with no significant adverse events observed in either group and no serious adverse events related to the treatment or placebo. Within the treatment group, researchers observed a significant improvement in blood pressure before and 1 min after the walking test at 11 months compared to baseline measures (P<0.05). Strength and balance also increased from baseline to 11 months within the treatment group (P<0.05). Systolic blood pressure, strength, and functional ambulatory performance were significantly improved at 11 months in the treatment group versus placebo (P<0.05). No significant differences in cognitive scores [MoCA] between the treatment and placebo groups were observed at 11months. However, there were significant improvements in cognitive scores within the treatment group when comparing baseline and endpoint scores at 11months (P<0.05). A significant reduction in homocysteine levels was observed at 11months between the placebo and treatment groups (P<0.05). Also, within the treatment group, significant reduction in both homocysteine and HDL-C was observed at 11 months compared to baseline.

Results from this study suggest S. ramosissima extract has some positive results on cognitive functioning and vascular effects. However, a much larger study will be needed to further evaluate the effects of S. ramosissima extract on neurovascular health.

Source: Nájar, Ana M., Cristina López Azcárate, Carmen Domínguez Ruiz, David Núñez-Jurado, Reyes de Torres, Reyes López, Miriam Camino-Moya et al. “Evaluating the Clinical Impact of a Polyphenol-Rich Extract from Salicornia ramosissima on Patients with Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Stroke.” Nutrients 16, no. 24 (2024): 4307.

© 2024 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/license
s/by/4.0/).

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Posted February 3, 2025.

Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.

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