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Jędrejko K, Catlin O, Stewart T, Anderson A, Muszyńska B, Catlin DH. Unauthorized ingredients in "nootropic" dietary supplements: A review of the history, pharmacology, prevalence, international regulations, and potential as doping agents. Drug Test Anal 2023. [PMID: 37357012 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
The first nootropic prohibited in sport was fonturacetam (4-phenylpiracetam, carphedon) in 1998. Presented here 25 years later is a broad-scale consideration of the history, pharmacology, prevalence, regulations, and doping potential of nootropics viewed through a lens of 50 selected dietary supplements (DS) marketed as "cognitive enhancement," "brain health," "brain boosters," or "nootropics," with a focus on unauthorized ingredients. Nootropic DS have risen to prominence over the last decade often as multicomponent formulations of bioactive ingredients presenting compelling pharmacological questions and potential public health concerns. Many popular nootropics are unauthorized food or DS ingredients according to the European Commission including huperzine A, yohimbine, and dimethylaminoethanol; unapproved pharmaceuticals like phenibut or emoxypine (mexidol); previously registered drugs like meclofenoxate or reserpine; EU authorized pharmaceuticals like piracetam or vinpocetine; infamous doping agents like methylhexaneamine or dimethylbutylamine; and other investigational substances and peptides. Several are authorized DS ingredients in the United States resulting in significant global variability as to what qualifies as a legal nootropic. Prohibited stimulants or ß2-agonists commonly used in "pre-workout," "weight loss," or "thermogenic" DS such as octodrine, hordenine, or higenamine are often stacked with nootropic substances. While stimulants and ß2-agonists are defined as doping agents by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), many nootropics are not, although some may qualify as non-approved substances or related substances under catch-all language in the WADA Prohibited List. Synergistic combinations, excessive dosing, or recently researched pharmacology may justify listing certain nootropics as doping agents or warrant additional attention in future regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Jędrejko
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Oliver Catlin
- Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Timothy Stewart
- Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ashley Anderson
- International Sports Pharmacists Network, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Bożena Muszyńska
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Don H Catlin
- Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG), Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Medicine and Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
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2
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Crawford C, Walter AR, Avula B, Lindsey AT, Hunter AM, Ikhlas AK, Deuster PA. Relative safety and quality of various dietary supplement products U.S. Service Members ask about. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2022; 60:737-744. [PMID: 35156875 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2022.2036751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The purpose of this project was to determine types of dietary supplement products U.S. Service Members frequently ask about and identify risks associated with select products that consumers should be aware of when considering their use. METHODS Forty-one dietary supplement products frequently asked about through the Operation Supplement Safety's (OPSS.org) Ask-the-Expert portal were selected. Product analysis was performed to verify whether select products were accurately labeled and to identify any risky ingredients contained in these products. Operation Supplement Safety Risk Assessment Scorecard criteria were additionally used as a screening tool to assess a product's relative safety potential. RESULTS Among the select dietary supplements, 12 (29.3%) were marketed as pre-workout products; 14 (34.1%) for weight loss; four (9.8%) for male enhancement/testosterone boosters; and 11 (26.8%) as body building supplements. Eleven (26.8%) products had accurate labels; only eight of these had accurate labels plus no risky ingredients listed on the labels. Twenty-six (63.4%) products were misbranded; 10 (24.4%) were adulterated, and six (14.6%) were both misbranded and adulterated. Risky ingredients appeared on 23 (56%) of all product labels. Eight of these 23 products also had additional risky ingredients not listed on the labels but detected through analysis. According to the Scorecard based on label claims, 35 (85.4%) received a rating of "no-go/risky". CONCLUSIONS U.S. Service Members and the public at large should be aware that dietary supplements may contain risky ingredients and know how to identify ingredients on the label to evaluate potential risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Crawford
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Abraham R Walter
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Bharathi Avula
- National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
| | - Andrea T Lindsey
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Aimee M Hunter
- Department of Laboratory Animal Resources, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - A Khan Ikhlas
- National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
| | - Patricia A Deuster
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Crawford C, Boyd C, Brown L, Costello R, Cordell J, Frushour K, Junker C, Khan I, Ross J, Deuster PA. Prioritized research recommendations and potential solutions: addressing gaps surrounding dietary supplement ingredients for boosting brain health and optimizing cognitive performance. Nutr Res 2021; 96:9-19. [PMID: 34890857 DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2021.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In the market of dietary supplements, a low level of certainty exists in the state of the science, coupled with not always knowing what is in the product. Together these issues make weighing benefits/risks difficult and hinder the ability to guide evidence-based practice decisions. The authors sought to identify priorities and develop potential solutions to address research gaps so that information disseminated, can ultimately, be relied upon, when trying to make appropriate and safe decisions. Using a modified-Delphi process, 8 panelists reviewed evidence, provided from systematic review, on dietary supplement ingredients for brain health, and prioritized gaps identified and offered potential solutions. Research gaps specific to dietary supplements research included the need for quality testing of products, the question of bioavailability and absorption of ingredients, and optimal composition and standardization of supplements under investigation. Other gaps related to populations studied; a general sense of bias towards focusing research on diseased rather than maintaining or optimizing performance in healthy populations. Additionally, the lack of uniform cognitive performance measures and metrics used across research is a gap, as well as whether the metrics are accurate representations of or even generalizable to "real-life" participants wishing to optimize their performance. Methodological quality and ethical concerns in the conduct and reporting of science encompass all issues. If resources map to potential solutions outlined in this paper, then these proposed next steps offered will help facilitate meaningful research, move evidence into practice recommendations, and ultimately develop better decision-making tools for consumers to trust and rely upon for making safe supplement decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Crawford
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA.
| | - Courtney Boyd
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - LaVerne Brown
- Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Rebecca Costello
- Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | | | - Katie Frushour
- Special Warfare Human Performance Squadron, Kirtland AFB 87123, NM, USA
| | - Caesar Junker
- Department of Defense, Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, Bethesda 20817, MD, USA
| | - Ikhlas Khan
- National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi 38677, MS, USA
| | - Jared Ross
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Patricia A Deuster
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
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Whaley D, Sylvester JE, Deuster PA. A Threat to Military Combat Power: Dietary Supplements. Am J Med 2021; 134:1560-1563. [PMID: 34411520 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2021.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of dietary supplements by young warfighters is pervasive and comes with a readiness cost, especially in the deployed setting. Predatory targeting and marketing by various unscrupulous companies put this population at risk for a higher than baseline risk for adverse events. METHODS We report on 6 serious adverse events experienced by warfighters while deployed in Kuwait and Afghanistan. Presented is a discussion of current practice gaps and solutions, as well as details regarding how polypharmacy contributes to the seriousness of the threat posed by problematic supplements. RESULTS The morbidity associated with the 6 cases of dietary supplement adverse events compromised mission readiness and was costly in terms of health and health care expenditures. CONCLUSION The military dietary supplement issue needs exposure, review, and action at the highest levels of government.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Whaley
- Lt. Colonel, Chief of Pharmacy, Central Command, Camp Arifjan, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan and Kuwait.
| | - Jillian E Sylvester
- Major US Air Force, Outpatient Physician, 455th EMDG, Craig Joint Theater Hospital, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan
| | - Patricia A Deuster
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Defense Center of Excellence, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Md
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Crawford C, Boyd C, Deuster PA. Dietary Supplement Ingredients for Optimizing Cognitive Performance Among Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review. J Altern Complement Med 2021; 27:940-958. [PMID: 34370563 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2021.0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Dietary supplements promoted for brain health and enhanced cognitive performance are widely available. Claims made for these products are directed not only to the elderly wishing to prevent or mitigate cognitive decline, but also young healthy populations looking to boost their cognitive performance. It is unclear whether these claims made on product bottles and through advertising match the science. Objectives: To explore the evidence on the efficacy and safety of single dietary supplement ingredients frequently marketed with claims of enhanced cognitive performance among healthy adults. Design: A systematic review. Results: Nine of 54 dietary supplement ingredients identified through a scoping review met the eligibility criteria with at least 3 published studies identified per ingredient, yielding 69 unique publications. Ingredients evaluated included Bacopa monnieri, choline, creatine, omega-3 fatty acids, Ginkgo biloba, ginseng, Rhodiola rosea, tyrosine, and valerian root, all in supplement form and compared with a placebo, at various serving sizes and durations of use. Conclusions: The low level of certainty in the state of the science, coupled with not always knowing what is in a dietary supplement product, make weighing risks and benefits difficult; these data hinder the ability to develop recommendations about using such ingredients for consumers interested in boosting their cognitive performance. Whereas certain trends regarding promising serving sizes or duration for use, are pointed to in this synthesis, when combined, studies are inconsistent and imprecise, and many are methodologically flawed. Potential solutions to address research gaps are offered, for future research next steps, which is needed to strengthen the evidence and inform decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Crawford
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Courtney Boyd
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Patricia A Deuster
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Ghassab-Abdollahi N, Mobasseri K, Dehghani Ahmadabad A, Nadrian H, Mirghafourvand M. The effects of Huperzine A on dementia and mild cognitive impairment: An overview of systematic reviews. Phytother Res 2021; 35:4971-4987. [PMID: 33851462 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive impairments are a part of the neurocognitive disorders which deteriorate the normal cognitive function. An overview of systematic reviews (SRs) was conducted to summarize the findings of SRs and meta-analyses on the effectiveness of Huperzine A (Hup A) in dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A literature search was conducted since inception to December 2020. We used the AMSTAR tool to assess the methodological quality of SRs. The quality of evidence of primary studies was evaluated according to the SRs authors' assessment. Six SRs met our inclusion criteria. The results showed that Hup A has beneficial effects on cognitive function and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) in Alzheimer's disease, but in vascular dementia and MCI, there was little or no evidence to conclusion. There is insufficient evidence of the effectiveness of Hup A on the quality of life and global clinical assessment. None of the SRs reported any serious side effects. Despite the promising effects of Hup A on cognition and ADLs, there is insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of Hup A in cognitive impairments due to the high heterogeneity of SRs and the low quality of primary studies. High-quality, large multicenter RCTs with long-term follow-up in different settings are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafiseh Ghassab-Abdollahi
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Health Education & Promotion, School of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Khorshid Mobasseri
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Health Education & Promotion, School of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Dehghani Ahmadabad
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Health Education & Promotion, School of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Haidar Nadrian
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mojgan Mirghafourvand
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Jędrejko K, Lazur J, Muszyńska B. Risk Associated with the Use of Selected Ingredients in Food Supplements. Chem Biodivers 2021; 18:e2000686. [PMID: 33410585 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202000686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on four new product categories of food supplements: pre-workout, fat burner/thermogenic, brain/cognitive booster, and hormone/testosterone booster. Many food supplements have been shown to be contaminated with unauthorized substances. In some cases, the ingredients in the new categories of dietary supplements were medicinal products or new synthetic compounds added without performing clinical trials. Some of the new ingredients in dietary supplements are plant materials that are registered in the pharmacopoeia as herbal medicines. In other cases, dietary supplements may contain plant materials that have no history of human use and are often used as materials to 'camouflage' stimulants. In the European Union, new ingredients of dietary supplements, according to European Food Safety Authority or unauthorized novel food. Furthermore, selected ingredients in dietary supplements may be prohibited in sports and are recognized as doping agents by World Anti-Doping Agency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Jędrejko
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Medyczna 9 Street, PL, 30-688, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jan Lazur
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Medyczna 9 Street, PL, 30-688, Kraków, Poland
| | - Bożena Muszyńska
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Medyczna 9 Street, PL, 30-688, Kraków, Poland
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Sobiech M, Giebułtowicz J, Luliński P. Application of Magnetic Core-Shell Imprinted Nanoconjugates for the Analysis of Hordenine in Human Plasma-Preliminary Data on Pharmacokinetic Study after Oral Administration. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2020; 68:14502-14512. [PMID: 33227193 PMCID: PMC7735731 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c05985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we developed and validated a new analytical method to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of hordenine in plasma samples of human volunteers after oral administration of hordenine-rich dietary supplements. For this purpose, a magnetic molecularly imprinted sorbent was fabricated and characterized. The application of a magnetic susceptible material facilitates pretreatment step while working with a highly complex sample, reducing time and costs. An optimized, fast, and reliable separation step was combined with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, providing an analytical method for analysis of hordenine in human plasma after dietary supplement intake. The method was validated (lower limit of quantification of 0.05 μg/L), enabling the pharmacokinetic profile of hordenine to be determined. The highest concentration of hordenine was noted after 65 ± 14 min, reaching the value of 16.4 ± 7.8 μg/L. The average t1/2 was 54 ± 19 min. The apparent volume of distribution was 6000 ± 2600 L (66 ± 24 L/kg when adjusted for weight).
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Sobiech
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Giebułtowicz
- Department
of Bioanalysis and Drugs Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Luliński
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
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Dietary Supplements and Adverse Events. Mil Med 2020; 185:e1381-e1382. [DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usaa044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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