Extracts of Magnolia officinalis bark and its active constituent, honokiol, have been studied in animal models with comparable anxiolytic activity to diazepam (a benzodiazepine anxiolytic used to treat anxiety), but without associated side effects such as sedation [10–13]. Berberine, a constituent of the selleck kinase inhibitor Phellodendron extract, has also demonstrated a significant anxiolytic effect in rodent stress studies, including the elevated plus maze test and the forced swim test [14, 15]. The combination of magnolia plus phellodendron appears to be even more effective in controlling stress/anxiety compared GNS-1480 nmr to either herb used separately [16–19]. The subject of this study, Relora® (Next

Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Salinas, CA), is a proprietary dietary supplement formulation consisting of a blend of extracts of Magnolia officinalis bark and Phellodendron amurense bark standardized to honokiol and berberine, respectively. In previous studies, Relora has demonstrated efficacy for reducing stress and anxiety in animals [18, 19] and enhancing feelings of well-being in human subjects [20, 21]. One study also measured

the effects of Relora on salivary cortisol, finding benefits in reducing cortisol and increasing dehydroandrostenedione (DHEA) levels in stressed subjects [20]. In this study, we report the effects of using the Relora combination of magnolia bark and phellodendron GW 572016 bark on salivary cortisol and psychological well-being of healthy subjects under moderate levels of perceived psychological stress. The current study

employed a well-validated psychological assessment known as the Profile of Mood States (POMS) to assess mood state. A key objective of the study was to explore how 4 weeks of magnolia/phellodendron supplementation (Relora versus a placebo) affected cortisol, Resveratrol various moods, and overall stress levels under conditions of moderate psychological stress. Methods Dietary supplement Relora® is a proprietary blend of a patented extract of the bark of Magnolia officinalis and an extract of the bark of Phellodendron amurense (US Patent Nos. 6,582,735 and 6,814,987). The product is standardized to “not less than 1.5% honokiol and 0.1% berberine.” Subjects ingested 500 mg/day at breakfast (250 mg) and dinner (250 mg) in white opaque capsules or a look-alike placebo that was identical in size, shape and color. Study design This study was done in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration, as revised in 1983, for clinical research involving humans and all procedures, measurements, and informed consent processes were reviewed and approved by an external third-party review board (Aspire IRB; Santee, CA). Subjects signed informed consent documents after the study details were explained. The study used a randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind design.