Naturally Occurring Verbascoside
Also known as: Verbascoside, acteoside
Overview
Verbascoside, also known as acteoside, is a naturally occurring caffeoyl phenylethanoid glycoside found in various plants, including lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla) and Lippia citriodora. It is a potent natural polyphenol recognized for its significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. As a dietary supplement ingredient, verbascoside is utilized for its ability to combat oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, support joint health, aid in muscle recovery, and promote wound healing. Its key characteristics include strong reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capabilities, modulation of inflammatory pathways, and promotion of mitochondrial biogenesis. Research on verbascoside is moderately mature, supported by in vitro, animal, and human clinical trials, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs). While systematic reviews exist for animal nutrition, human meta-analyses are still limited. The available evidence, including several RCTs with adequate sample sizes, supports its biological plausibility and efficacy.
Benefits
Verbascoside offers several evidence-based benefits. Its primary effect is potent antioxidant activity, demonstrating superior ROS scavenging compared to ascorbic acid in vitro, reducing oxidative stress markers like 8-OHdG, and increasing antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and GPx. It also exhibits significant anti-inflammatory effects by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β) through the downregulation of the PKC/HMGB1/RAGE/NFκB pathway. For muscle recovery, supplementation with verbascoside-rich lemon verbena extract has been shown in an RCT to improve muscle strength, reduce pain, and decrease markers of muscle damage (CK, IL-6) post-exercise. In joint health, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that a supplement containing standardized lemon verbena extract (14% verbascoside) combined with omega-3 fatty acids significantly reduced joint pain and stiffness by 53% and 78% respectively after 9 weeks, with effects starting within 3-4 weeks. Furthermore, verbascoside has shown promise in wound healing, improving gingival epithelial cell viability under high glucose conditions, which is relevant for diabetic complications. Potential secondary effects include neuroprotection and reduction of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These benefits are particularly relevant for individuals with joint discomfort, athletes undergoing strenuous exercise, and diabetic individuals with impaired wound healing. Clinical significance includes over 50% reduction in joint pain in pilot RCTs and significant reductions in muscle damage markers.
How it works
Verbascoside exerts its effects primarily through its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Its antioxidant activity involves direct scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the induction of endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), and catalase. This induction occurs largely through the activation of the Nrf2 transcription factor, which regulates the expression of antioxidant genes. In terms of anti-inflammatory action, verbascoside modulates key inflammatory signaling pathways, specifically by downregulating the PKC/HMGB1/RAGE/NFκB pathway, thereby reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and IL-1β. It also promotes mitochondrial biogenesis by upregulating PGC1-α and NRF1. Verbascoside has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier, suggesting systemic distribution and potential neuroprotective effects. While human bioavailability data is limited, animal studies indicate effective systemic absorption and distribution.
Side effects
Verbascoside-containing extracts have demonstrated a favorable safety profile in human randomized controlled trials, with no serious adverse events reported at the studied doses. Common side effects have not been reported in clinical trials. Uncommon or rare side effects are not well-documented, and current human studies do not indicate significant safety concerns. Regarding drug interactions, no specific interactions have been reported. However, caution is advised when combining verbascoside with other antioxidants or anti-inflammatory drugs due to the potential for additive effects. There are no established contraindications for verbascoside, but more data is needed to confirm its safety in pregnant or lactating women and individuals with severe comorbidities. While beneficial effects have been noted in diabetic conditions, further research is required to assess its safety in children and the elderly.
Dosage
The optimal dosage for verbascoside is not definitively established, as human studies often use extracts standardized to verbascoside content rather than isolated verbascoside. Clinical trials for joint health have utilized lemon verbena extract standardized to 14% verbascoside, with effects observed after 9 weeks of supplementation. For muscle recovery, acute dosing around exercise has shown benefits. In vitro studies suggest concentrations around 50 µM for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. There is no clearly defined maximum safe dose, as no toxicity has been reported in clinical trials at tested doses. For joint health, effects typically appear after 3-4 weeks of daily supplementation. For muscle recovery, benefits are noted within hours to days post-exercise. It is recommended to use extracts standardized for verbascoside content to ensure consistency. While no specific cofactors are required, co-administration with other antioxidants, such as omega-3 fatty acids, may enhance its effects, as seen in joint health studies.
FAQs
Is verbascoside safe?
Yes, clinical trials have reported no significant adverse effects, indicating a favorable safety profile at studied doses.
How long before effects are seen?
Improvements in joint symptoms typically appear after approximately 3 weeks of consistent use, while muscle recovery benefits can be observed within hours to days post-exercise.
Can it be combined with other supplements?
Yes, it can likely be combined with other supplements. Studies have shown synergistic effects when combined with omega-3 fatty acids for joint health.
Does it work for everyone?
Benefits have been demonstrated in specific populations, such as those with joint discomfort, athletes, and individuals with diabetes. However, individual responses may vary.
Is it better than vitamin C?
Verbascoside has shown stronger antioxidant activity than ascorbic acid in in vitro studies, but its clinical superiority over vitamin C has not been definitively established.
Research Sources
- https://www.medsci.org/v18p2641.htm – This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of lemon verbena extract (LVE) on muscle recovery in healthy adults. It found that LVE significantly increased antioxidant enzymes (GPx), reduced markers of muscle damage (CK, IL-6, 8-OHdG), and alleviated muscle pain, while also improving muscle strength post-exercise. The study highlights LVE's potential for acute muscle recovery.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8464661/ – This in vitro study explored verbascoside's effects on gingival epithelial cells under high glucose conditions. It demonstrated that verbascoside improved cell viability and wound healing, while reducing oxidative stress and inflammation by modulating the PKC/HMGB1/RAGE/NFκB pathway. The findings suggest verbascoside's potential for diabetic wound complications.
- https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2010.0410 – This pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated a supplement containing lemon verbena extract (14% verbascoside) and omega-3 fatty acids in subjects with joint discomfort. It reported significant reductions in joint pain and stiffness (53-78%) compared to placebo after 9 weeks, with effects observed within 3-4 weeks. The study suggests a beneficial role for this combination in joint health.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10812750/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis, primarily focusing on animal nutrition, summarized verbascoside's strong antioxidant activity. It highlighted its ability to modulate antioxidant enzymes via Nrf2, cross the blood-brain barrier, and reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The review provides comprehensive mechanistic insights into verbascoside's biological actions.
