Effects of lemon verbena extract (Recoverben®) supplementation on muscle strength and recovery after exhaustive exercise: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial

J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018 Jan 23;15:5. doi: 10.1186/s12970-018-0208-0. eCollection 2018. . Buchwald-Werner S1, Naka I1, Wilhelm M2, Schütz E3, Schoen C3, Reule C3. Author information 1 Vital Solutions GmbH, Hausingerstrasse 6, 40764 Langenfeld, Germany. 2 2Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Albert-Einstein-Allee 55, 89081 Ulm, Germany. 3 BioTeSys GmbH, Schelztorstrasse 54-56, D-73728 Esslingen, Germany. Abstract Background: Exhaustive exercise causes muscle damage accompanied by oxidative stress and inflammation leading to muscle fatigue and muscle soreness. Lemon verbena leaves, commonly used as tea and refreshing beverage, demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a proprietary lemon verbena extract (Recoverben®) on muscle strength and recovery after exhaustive exercise in comparison to a placebo product. Methods: The study was performed as a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study with parallel design. Forty-four healthy males and females, which were 22-50 years old and active in sports, were randomized to 400 mg lemon verbena extract once daily or placebo. The 15 days intervention was divided into 10 days supplementation prior to the exhaustive exercise day (intensive jump-protocol), one day during the test and four days after. Muscle strength (MVC), muscle damage (CK), oxidative stress (GPx), inflammation (IL6) and volunteer-reported muscle soreness intensity were assessed pre and post exercise. Results: Participants in the lemon verbena group benefited from less muscle damage as well as faster and full recovery. Compared to placebo, lemon verbena extract receiving participants had significantly less exercise-related loss of muscle strength (p = 0.0311) over all timepoints, improved glutathione peroxidase activity by trend (p = 0.0681) and less movement induced pain (p = 0.0788) by trend. Creatine kinase and IL-6 didn't show significant discrimmination between groups. Conclusion: Lemon verbena extract (Recoverben®) has been shown to be a safe and well-tolerated natural sports ingredient, by reducing muscle damage after exhaustive exercise. Trial registration: The trial was registered in the clinical trials registry (clinical trial.gov NCT02923102). Registered 28 September 2016. KEYWORDS: Aloysia citriodora; Exhaustive exercise; Glutathione peroxidases; Lemon verbena; Muscle soreness; Muscle strength; Recoverben®; Recovery; Sports nutrition; eiMD PMID: 29410606 PMCID: PMC5781260 DOI: 10.1186/s12970-018-0208-0 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Free PMC Article https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5781260/