Rosmarinic acid is polyphenol found in Mediterranean herbs including rosemary, sage, mint basil and thyme.
Population based studies have found several benefits associated with polyphneols like rosmarinic acid for reducing heart disease and cancer risk.
We recently wrote about a clinical trial with Perilla frutescens extract high in rosmarinic acid for reducing allergies.
You may wonder “is rosmarinic acid absorbed?” and the results of a clinical trial published in the European Journal of Nutrition. can help answer that question.
Here are the study details
– Six healthy males were enrolled in the clinical trial
– Blood plasma and urine was collected and analyzed for rosmarinic acid, methylated rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid, ferulic acid and m-coumaric acid
Here is more research related to plants and phytochemicals from the Mediterranean Diet.
Here are the main results
– Plasma levels of rosmarinic acid was highest at 0.5 hrs after taking the Perilla frutescens tablet
– Plasma levels of methyl rosmarinic acid was highest 2 hrs after taking the Perilla frutescens tablet
– Plasma levels of ferulic acid was highest 0.5 hrs after taking the Perilla frutescens tablet
– Plasma levels of rosmarinic acid reached 1.15 micromolar after taking the Perilla frutescens tablet
– Plasma levels of ferulic acid reached 0.36 micromolar after taking the Perilla frutescens tablet
– Plasma levels of methyl rosmarinic acid reached 0.65 micromolar
– The main metabolites found in the urine were sulfoglucronide conjugates of rosmarinic acid
Take away message
Health benefits have been associated with rosmarinic acid and the results of this study suggest rosmarinic acid is absorbed and can be detected in the blood and urine.
One of the benefits appears to be improving symptoms of allergies which we have written about previously.
Reference
Baba et al. Absorption, metabolism, degradation and urinary excretion of rosmarinic acid after intake of Perilla frutescens extract in humans. European Journal of Nutrition. 2005; Volume 44 (Issue 1): pages 1-9.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Allergies, Antioxidant, Clinical Trials