A new in vitro study published in January 2024 in the scientific journal Molecules shows for the first time that a chemically characterized extract of Scutellaria lateriflora L. (BlueCALM®) may be an ideal candidate as a nutraceutical ingredient for relaxation and sleep, due to its significant inhibitory action on the release of cortisol, the so-called ‘stress hormone’.
The study employed an in vitro model in which human adrenocortical carcinoma cells are pre-treated with forskolin, a molecule that stimulates cortisol production; the extract under investigation is then added to these cells and the inhibitory effects are measured. The inhibition induced by BlueCALM® was significant, ranging from 58 to 91%.
During the study, the digestion of the extract was also simulated to derive indications regarding the pharmaceutical form to be used in future in vivo experiments, and bioavailability tests were performed on two different models, to assess the absorption of these macromolecules through membrane systems.
Encouraging results suggest possible applications of BlueCALM® as a food supplement ingredient against excessive stress and the consequences induced by high cortisol levels, such as insomnia, endocrine and immune disorders, and osteoporosis.
To learn more about BlueCALM®, our dry extract standardized to contain 10% baicalin, from an Italian supply chain (located in Lombardy and Trentino-Alto Adige), identified by DNA barcoding to exclude adulteration with hepatotoxic plants of the Teucrium genus, download our brochure.