Berberine
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23808999/ - Effect of berberine administration on metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion - Administration of berberine leads to remission of metabolic syndrome and decreases in waist circumference, SBP, triglycerides, and total insulin secretion, with an increase in insulin sensitivity.
Eleuthero
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21793317/ - The effect of eight weeks of supplementation with Eleutherococcus senticosus on endurance capacity and metabolism in humans - The major finding of this study was the VO2 peak of the subjects elevated 12%, endurance time improved 23% and the highest heart rate increased 4% significantly. The second finding was at 30 min of cycling (75% VO2 peak), the production of plasma free fatty acid was increased and the glucose level was decreased both significantly over 8-week Eleuthero senticosus supplementation.
Hawthorn ext
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32153414/ - Roles and Mechanisms of Hawthorn and Its Extracts on Atherosclerosis: A Review - This review revealed that the hawthorn extracts possess serum lipid-lowering, anti-oxidative, and cardiovascular protective properties. Hawthorn extract provides blood lipid-lowering, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and vascular endothelial protection.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35589704/ - Anxiolytic and antidepressants' effect of Crataegus pinnatifida (Shan Zha): biochemical mechanisms - We show here that Shan Zha is sufficient to produce an anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effect similar to NHT or the escitalopram through activation of 5-HT1A receptor and an elevation in BDNF levels in the hippocampus and Prefrontal cortex (PFC). Shan Zha may serve as an alternative to conventional antidepressants.
Rhodiola
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26502953/ - The Effects of Rhodiola rosea L. Extract on Anxiety, Stress, Cognition and Other Mood Symptoms - the experimental group that took 200mg of Rhodiola, demonstrated a significant reduction in self-reported, anxiety, stress, anger, confusion and depression at 14 days and a significant improvement in total mood. Additionally, there was a statistically significant greater reduction for Rhodiola for anger, confusion, and total negative mood.
L-Theanine
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31623400/ - Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial - Stress-related symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety-trait, and sleep) scores decreased and cognitive function (i.e., verbal fluency and executive function) scores improved after four weeks of Ltheanine administration. The findings suggest that L-theanine has the potential to promote mental health in the general population with stress-related ailments and cognitive impairments.
Chromium
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16184071/ - A double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory trial of chromium picolinate in atypical depression: effect on carbohydrate craving - The results of this study suggest that the main effect of chromium was on carbohydrate craving and appetite regulation in depressed patients and that 600 mug of elemental chromium may be beneficial for patients with atypical depression who also have severe carbohydrate craving. In persons with high baseline carbohydrate cravings, there was also an improvement in genital symptoms (ie. libido) relative to placebo.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26302914/ - Beneficial effects of oral chromium picolinate supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical study - This study used 600 µg chromium (as picolinate) in people with poorly-controlled type II diabetes for 4 months found a statistically significant mean reduction in fasting blood glucose
Selenium
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36184253/ - The effects of selenium supplementation on glycemic control, serum lipoproteins and biomarkers of oxidative stress in infertile women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilization: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial - The study demonstrated that selenium supplementation for 8 weeks in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing IVF had beneficial effects on glycemic control and MDA levels. Selenium administration significantly decreased fasting glucose, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, fasting insulin levels, and elevated quantitative insulin sensitivity.
Vanadium
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29120071/ - Effects of vanadium supplementation on performance, some plasma metabolites and glucose metabolism in Mahabadi goat kids - The concentration of glucose in plasma decreased linearly as the supplemental vanadium level increased. The results suggested that moderate supplementation of vanadium may improve glucose utilization.
Saffron
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38913392/ - Effect of Saffron Versus Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in Treatment of Depression and Anxiety: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials - In this meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials conducted in Iran, supplementation with saffron was as effective as — and safer than — antidepressants for reducing symptoms of anxiety and symptoms of depression.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38796446/ - Effects of Crocus sativus on glycemic control and cardiometabolic parameters among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials - In this meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials, supplementation with saffron/saffron extracts reduced fasting glucose, HbA1c, and systolic blood pressure in adults with cardiometabolic disorders. However, no effect was observed on BMI, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, or triglycerides.
Lion’s mane
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20834180/ - Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake - The results show that Lion’s Mane intake has the possibility to reduce depression, anxiety, and improve sleep quality.
Chaga
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11132974/ - Therapeutic properties of Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom): A review - Various extracts and compounds isolated from I. obliquus possess promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. In addition, I. obliquus has been found beneficial for the amelioration of various human ailments such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, hepatic disorders, renal diseases, and fatigue, thus making it an attractive natural alternative to pharmacological interventions.
Reishi
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21801467/ - Study of potential cardioprotective effects of Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi): results of a controlled human intervention trial - Reishi polysaccharides daily in persons with hyperlipidemia and/or hypertension (130/85 or above) for 12 weeks was able to improve parameters of glucose metabolism (insulin sensitivity and basal insulin levels) and some aspects of lipid metabolism
Cordyceps
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27140306/ - The Herbal Medicine Cordyceps sinensis Protects Pancreatic Beta Cells from Streptozotocin-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress - The herbal compound Cordyceps sinensis could protect pancreatic beta cells from the pro-apoptotic endoplasmic reticulum stress.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308814611007266?via%3Dihub - Protective effect of Cordyceps militaris against high glucose-induced oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells - Cordycepin displayed protective effects against oxidative stress, which was partly responsible for the cytoprotective effects of cordyceps militaris against high glucose-induced oxidative stress in endothelial cells. Overall, the obtained results show C. militaris helps preventing diabetic endothelial dysfunction and related complications.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19948751/ - A Contemporary Treatment Approach to Both Diabetes and Depression by Cordyceps sinensis, Rich in Vanadium – “We hypothesize one novel vanadium complex of vanadium-enriched Cordyceps sinensis (VECS), which is beneficial in preventing depression in diabetes, and influences the long-term course of glycemic control…. C. sinensis has an antidepressant-like activity, and attenuates the diabetes-induced increase in blood
glucose concentrations.”
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9011256/ - Exploring the mechanisms of action of Cordyceps sinensis for the treatment of depression using network pharmacology and molecular docking – “…The active ingredients of Cordyceps sinensis may exert antidepressant effects…”
