Relora Benefits Short-Term Anxiety

MIAMI—In a clinical study conducted by Miami Research Associates, researchers found a patented extract of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense may offer relief for premenopausal women experiencing mild transitory anxiety (Nutr J. 2008;7:11) (DOI: 10.1186/1475-2891-7-11). Healthy, overweight premenopausal females (n=40), ages 20 to 50, who said they typically eat more in response to stressful situations and scored above the national mean for women on self-reporting anxiety received 250 mg of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense (as Relora®, from Next Pharmaceuticals) or an identical placebo three times a week for six weeks. In comparison to the placebo, Relora was effective in reducing temporary, transitory anxiety, although it was not effective in reducing long-standing feelings of anxiety or depression. Salivary cortisol, amylase levels, appetite, body morphology and sleep quality/latency were not significantly changed by Relora in comparison to placebo. There were no significant adverse events.