CLINICAL TRIAL article
Front. Nutr.
Sec. Nutrition, Psychology and Brain Health
This article is part of the Research TopicThe Molecular Biological Active Agents of Herbs and Spices Ameliorating Brain DisordersView all articles
A standardized combination of Boswellia serrata and Terminalia chebula extracts to improve cognition in adults with subjective memory complaints: A randomized controlled proof-of-concept study
Provisionally accepted
- 1PLT Health Solutions, Morristown, United States
- 2Government Medical College and General Hospital, Andhra Pradesh, India
- 3Arogya Jana Seva Kendra, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Objective: Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense) and Terminalia chebula (haritaki) are botanicals widely used in Indian Ayurvedic Medicine for cognitive health. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept study evaluated the effectiveness of LN19184, a unique, standardized blend of B. serrata gum resin and T. chebula fruit extracts, to improve cognitive function, sleep quality, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in aging individuals. Methods: One hundred participants aged 40–65 with subjective complaints of poor memory were randomized into two groups: 300 mg of LN19184 or placebo, once daily for 120 days. At baseline and days 15, 30, 60, and 120, two neuropsychological batteries, the Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test (CANTAB), were used to assess cognitive function, and the Athens Insomnia Scale was used to evaluate sleep quality. Serum BDNF levels and safety parameters were also assessed. Results: LN19184 improved each measured RAVLT outcome compared to placebo. Supplementation improved proactive interference (p < 0.001) and recognition index (p = 0.004) by day 15. Learning rate, total learning, and delayed recall improved by day 60 (p < 0.001), and immediate recall improved by day 90 (p = 0.003). Compared to placebo, supplementation also improved CANTAB assessments of visual learning, processing speed, and accuracy (p < 0.05), sleep quality (p < 0.001), and serum BDNF levels (p < 0.001). Vital signs and safety parameters remained within normal clinical limits throughout the study. Conclusion: This pilot trial provides early empirical evidence demonstrating that a novel extract blend of B. serrata and T. chebula was well tolerated and improved cognitive function, sleep quality, and peripheral BDNF levels in aging adults with memory complaints. Clinical Trial Registration: CTRI/2020/08/027368 Search, Clinical Trials Registry - India (CTRI)
Keywords: Amyrin, Athens Insomnia Scale, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Cognitive Function, dietary supplement, Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test, sleep quality
Received: 29 Aug 2025; Accepted: 19 Nov 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Salter, Gupta, Sairam, Gupta and Maurya. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Dawna Salter, dawna.salter@plthealth.com
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