TruZen®, provided by TruGen3®, supplies 90 mg of Sceletium tortuosum extract, standardized to 3% alkaloids in a convenient vegetarian liquid filled capsule. This unique herbal extract is specially formulated to support healthy mood and emotional wellness.
DISCUSSION
Sceletium tortuosom is a traditional herb of South Africa that has been used for millennia to support appetite, energy levels and general emotional feelings of wellbeing. Known also as kanna or kougoed(in the language Afrikaans), the small plant grows in the winter, lying close to the ground, with distinctive succulent leaves and white, yellow or pale pink flowers. The principle active constituents of the plant are mesembrine, mesembrenone and mesembrenol, alkaloids that can interact with the brain’s dopamine and serotonin receptors. Mesembrine in particular has been studied for its effects with the body’s normal regulation of monoamine release and serotonin uptake, both actions, which can have supportive effects on optimal mood and relaxation. Sceletium is not typically known to be habit forming or have unwanted cognitive side effects.
In one double blind, placebo controlled study involving healthy college aged adults, a single dose of Sceletium extract was shown to support the amygdala’s response to fearful situations, indicating that Sceletium may be able to modulate the body’s normal response to perceived stressors. Another randomized, double blind three- month study in healthy adults showed that Sceletium extracts were well tolerated and safe at the doses studied. Additional studies support Scleletium’s use in promoting feelings of contentment, emotional wellness and overall neurological function.
FORMULA (#5009)
Supplement Facts Serving Size 1 softgel
Sceletium tortuosum extract (Standardized to 3% alkaloids, whole plant)…………….90 mg
Other ingredients: Vegetable Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (capsule).
SUGGESTED USE
Adults take 1 liquid capsule or as directed by your healthcare professional.
REFERENCES
Terburg D, Syal S, Rosenberger LA, Heany S, Phillips N, Gericke N, Stein DJ, van Honk J. Acute Effects of Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin), a Dual 5-HT Reuptake and PDE4 Inhibitor, in the Human Amygdala and its Connection to the Hypothalamus. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2013 Dec;38(13):2708-16. doi: 10.1038/npp.2013.183.
Harvey AL, Young LC, Viljoen AM, Gericke NP. Pharmacological actions of the South African medicinal and functional food plant Sceletium tortuosum and its principal alkaloids.J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Oct 11;137(3):1124-9.
Chiu S, Gericke N, Farina-Woodbury M, Badmaev V, Raheb H, Terpstra K, Antongiorgi J, Bureau Y, Cernovsky Z, Hou J, Sanchez V, Williams M, Copen J, Husni M, Goble L. Proof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled Study of Cognition Effects of the Proprietary Extract Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin) Targeting Phosphodiesterase-4 in Cognitively Healthy Subjects: Implications… Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:682014. doi: 10.1155/2014/682014.
Nell H, Siebert M, Chellan P, Gericke N. A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial of Extract Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin) in healthy adults. J Altern Complement Med. 2013 Nov;19(11):898- 904.
Van Wyk BE. A review of commercially important African medicinal plants. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Dec 24;176:118-34.
