Non-therapeutic methods comprising the use of ginsenosides

Abstract

The present invention relates to a non-therapeutic method comprising the use of ginsenosides to improve the reaction time of a subject as well as the ability of a subject to multitask and to improve executive function.

Description

[0001] NON-THERAPEUTIC METHODS COMPRISING THE USE OF GINSENOSIDES FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a non-therapeutic method comprising the use of ginsenosides to improve the reaction time of a subject as well as the ability of a subject to multitask and to improve executive function.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Plant extracts rich in ginsenosides have been used in traditional medicine remedies. Traditionally, these plant extracts have been used to promote calmness, relaxation and a sense of serenity. Their healing properties have been recognized for thousands of years.

[0005] There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the positive effects on health and particularly on cognitive function of compositions comprising plant extracts rich in ginsenosides. Namely, clinical studies have reported on the positive effects of compositions comprising plant extracts rich in ginsenosides on mood, energy and age-related cognitive decline. These positive health effects have been linked to increased levels of certain gut microbes and increased production of short-chain fatty acids.

[0006] Importantly, the effects of compositions comprising plant extracts rich in ginsenosides on increasing performance in a competitive setting have not been extensively explored. An example of performance in a competitive setting, with many commercial implications, is sport performance. As such, there is a growing need to develop strategies to boost sport performance.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention relates to a non-therapeutic method comprising the administration of an effective amount of a composition comprising a Panax genus root extract that is rich in ginsenosides in order to improve the ability of a subject to divide his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks, improve reaction time of a subject when performing a non-stationary activity and / or improve executive function of a subject.

[0009] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1. Simulator driving performance on the Road America Track. Time gained on the fastest lap time compared to baseline.Figure 2. Time to full throttle in the corners of the Road America Track. Data was acquired in a simulator of the Road America Track. Differing letters indicate statistical significance. Figure 3. Map of the simulator of the Road America Track.

[0011] Figure 4. A representative telemetry tracing of one participant on the Road America Track. The white colored lines represent the acute condition, and the grey colored lines represent the acute on chronic condition. The image highlights turn 7 where the acute on chronic condition resulted in a faster time to 100% throttle. First line on the top is Engine RPM, second line is car speed (km / h), third line is steering wheel angle and las bottom line is brake pedal pos (%).

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The authors of the present invention have found that compositions comprising a Panax genus root extract rich in ginsenosides results, when administered to a subject, in an improved ability to divide the subject's attention in an effective manner as well as a decrease in the reaction time of a subject when performing a non-stationary activity and an improvement in executive function. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, the effect may be the result of the ginsenosides present in the extract from the root of a plant from the Panax genus.

[0014] Accordingly, in a first aspect the invention relates to a non-therapeutic method comprising the administration of an effective amount of a composition comprising a Panax genus root extract that is rich in ginsenosides to improve the ability of a subject to divide his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks, improve reaction time of a subject when performing a non-stationary activity and / or improve executive function in a subject.

[0015] As used herein the term "non-therapeutic method", refers to a process, action, application or the like on a subject that:

[0016] is not directed to the improvement of a condition or disease, directly or indirectly, or to slowing the progression of a condition or disease, or to ameliorating one or more symptoms of a condition or disease of said subject, and

[0017] is not directed to delay the onset of the disorder or disease, or prevent the individual from developing the disorder or disease at all.

[0018] As used herein the term "effective amount" refers to an amount of the composition comprising the Panax genus root extract rich in ginsenosides such as to cause the desired effect (e.g. improve the ability to divide attention effectively between multiple tasks, improve the reaction time when performing a non-stationary activity or improve the executivefunction). The effect may be objective (e.g. measurable by some test or marker) or subjective (e.g. the subject gives an indication of or feels an effect).

[0019] As used in the context of this invention the term “composition” refers to the composition comprising a Panax genus root extract rich in ginsenosides which has been described in the previous embodiments.

[0020] As used herein the term “ginsenoside” refers to a class of natural product steroid glycosides and triterpene saponins. Compounds in this family are found almost exclusively in the plant genus Panax, more specifically in their root. The ginsenosides are provided as a root extract from the Panax genus As used herein the term “extract” refers to a substance obtained by processing a natural source (i.e. root of Panax genus plants) to isolate specific bioactive compounds while minimizing unwanted materials such as, waxes and tanins. Methods for extraction of ginsenosides from the root of Panax genus plants are well known to people skilled in the art (for example described in WO2021185897)

[0021] In a particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the extract is a Panax genus root extract. In a more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the Panax genus plant is selected from one or more of Panax quinquefolius, Panax ginseng and Panax notoginseng.

[0022] In another particular embodiment of the non-thereapeutic method of the invention the composition comprising a Panax genus root extract that is rich in ginsenosides is also known with the commercial name Cereboost™.

[0023] In a particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the multiple tasks include at least one task that requires to maintain central visual attention and at least one second task that requires a peripheral eye-hand motor response. As used herein the expression “task that requires to maintain central visual attention” refers to the ability to focus on and process visual information from the central part of the visual filed. As used herein the expression “task that requires a peripheral eye-hand motor response” refers to the ability to detect stimuli in the peripheral vision and quickly coordinate a motor response without shifting central visual attention. This skill is crucial in activities which require quick reactions to events occurring outside of the direct line of sight.

[0024] As used herein the term “non-stationary activity” refers to an activity that requires movement while simultaneously processing information and making decisions as well as engaging with the environment. In a particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the non-stationary activity is a team sport, an individual sport, a combat sport, a racket sport, a winter sport, a water sport, an adventure sport and / or a motor sport. In a more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the teamsport is selected from the group consisting of American football, soccer, basketball, cricket, baseball, volleyball, hockey, rugby, handball and water polo. In a more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the individual sport is selected from the group consisting of tennis, golf, athletics, swimming, cycling, skiing and archery. In another more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the combat sport or martial art is selected from the group consisting of karate, judo, taekwondo, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Muay thai, Krav Maga, boxing, jiu-jitsu and wrestling. In another more particular embodiment the racket sport is selected from the group consisting of badminton, table tennis, tennis and squash. In yet another more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention the winter sport is skiing or snowboarding. In another more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention the water sport is selected from the group consisting of rowing, surfing, synchronized swimming, windsurfing, kitesurfing, scuba diving, spearfishing, rafting. In another more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the adventure sport is selected from the group consisting of rock climbing, skydiving, paragliding, paragliding, BASE Jumping, spelunking. In another more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the motor sport is selected from the group consisting of Formula 1, karting, motorcycle racing, off-road racing, NASCAR and sport car driving. In an even more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the motor sport is sport car driving. In another particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the non-stationary activity is selected from the group consisting of gymnastics, cheerleading and fencing.

[0025] As used herein the term “executive function” is also understood as cognitive control. These terms refer to a set of cognitive processes that support goal-directed behavior by regulating thoughts and actions. It includes basic cognitive processes such as attentional control, cognitive inhibition, inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. These functions enable individuals to select and monitor actions that facilitate the attainment of chosen objectives. Higher-order executive functions, which require the simultaneous use of multiple basic executive functions, encompass planning and fluid intelligence, including reasoning and problem-solving. Additionally, executive function involves the ability to focus attention, respond quickly to stimuli, and manipulate information in working memory, all of which are crucial for effective self-regulation and achieving goals. As used herein the term “cognitive inhibition” refers to the ability of the brain to suppress irrelevant or distracting information, allowing for focused attention. As used herein the term “working memory” refers to temporarily holding and manipulating information for short-termuse in tasks like reasoning, learning and decision making. As used herein the term “cognitive flexibility” refers to the ability to adapt thinking or behavior in response to changing environments or stimuli. As used herein the term “fluid intelligence” refers to the ability of a subject to reason, solve novel problems and adapt to new situations without relying on prior knowledge or experience.

[0026] As explained above, the methods of the invention result in the improvement or the amelioration in a subject of:

[0027] i. the ability to divide his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks , ii. the reaction time when performing a non-stationary activity and / or iii. executive function

[0028] Methods for measuring the ability of a subject to divide his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks are well known to people skilled in the art. Examples of this methods are Split attention test on Senaptec sensory stations. These tests measure an individual's ability to respond to multiple tasks simultaneously. In some embodiments of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, an amelioration in the ability of a subject to divide his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks will be understood to mean an increase in the ability to respond to the constantly changing task as measured by the split attention test on a Senaptec sensory station. The term “improve” will be understood to mean an increase of at least 1%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 100% in the ability to respond to multiple tasks simultaneously of a subject after taking the composition rich in ginsenoisdes compared to the subject before taking the composition rich in ginsenosides as measured by the split attention test on a Senaptec sensory station.

[0029] As used herein the term “reaction time” refers to the time elapsed between the detection of an stimuli and the reaction to said stimuli (in the context of a non-stationary activity such as driving, an example is the time elapsed between encountering an unexpected object in the path of the car and the event of steping on the brake pedal). Methods for measuring the reaction time are well known to people skilled in the art. Examples of methods to measure reaction time are choice reaction time tests, ruler drop tests, computer based reaction time assessments or reaction time assessments carried out on Senaptec sensory stations. The term “improve” will be understood to mean an increase of at least 1%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 100% in the reaction time of a subject after taking the composition rich in ginsenosides compared to the reaction time of a subject before taking the composition rich in ginsenosides.The compositions for use in the methods according to the present invention may contain any combination of the more than 40 ginsenosides that can be isolated and purified from the root of the Panax genus and which are described in the literature (see e.g. Leung, and Wong. Pharmacology of ginsenosides: a literature review. Chin Med 5, 20, 2010). Examples of the ginsenosides that may form part of the compositions for use according to the present invention include Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2, Rhl and Ro. The two main categories of ginsenosides, depending on the chemical structure, are protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides and protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides. Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc and Rd belong to the protopanaxadiol-type category, while Re, Rf, Rg1 , Rg2 belong to the protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides. In a particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the Panax genus root extract comprises at least one ginsenoside selected from Rg1, Re, Rc, Rb1, Rb2 and Rd.

[0030] In a particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the ginsenosides represent from about 3% to about 100% by weight of the extract. In a more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention the ginsenosides represent 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7 %, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50 %, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 100% by weight of the extract. In an even more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the ginsenosides represent from about 5% to about 19% by weight of the extract, from about 8% to about 15% by weight of the extract or from about 10% to about 13% by weight of the extract. As used herein the term “by weight” refers to the concentration of a substance in a composition based on its weight relative to the total weight of the composition. When used to define the ginsenoside content in the Panax genus root extract, the term refers to the weight of the ginsenosides relative to the total weight of the Panax genus root extract.

[0031] In another particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, Rg1 represents from about 1% to about 4% by weight of total ginsenosides, Re represents from about 4% to about 35% by weight of total ginsenosides, Rc represents from about 5% to about 35% by weight of total ginsenosides, Rb1 represents from about 40% to about 70% by weight of total ginsenosides, Rb2 represents from about 2% to about 15% by weight of total ginsenosides and / or Rd represents from about 9% to about 30% by weight of total ginsenosides. In a more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, Rg1 represents about 3% by weight of total ginsenosides, Re represents about 16% by weight of total ginsenosides, Rc represents about 16% by weight of total ginsenosides, Rb1 represents about 48% by weight of total ginsenosides, Rb2 representsabout 4 % by weight of total ginsenosides and / or Rd represents about 13% by weight of total ginsenosides.

[0032] Ginsenosides can be of natural origin or from synthetic origin. Natural sources containing ginsenosides are the root of plants from the Panax genus. Examples of plants from the Panax genus whose roots can be used to extract ginsenosides are Panax quinquefolius, Panax ginseng and Panax notoginseng.

[0033] In a particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the ginsenosides are of natural origin. In a more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the ginsenosides are provided as a Panax genus root extract. In an even more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the Panax genus root extract that is rich in ginsenosides is provided as an extract of the root of a plant from the Panax genus selected from Panax quinquefolius, Panax ginseng and Panax notoginseng.

[0034] In some embodiments of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the composition is administered in an effective amount wherein the effective amount of the composition is from about 100 mg to about 2000 mg, or from about 500 mg to about 1500 mg or from about 100 mg to 400 mg. In a more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the effective amount of the composition is 100 mg. In another more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the effective amount of the composition is 200 mg. In another more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the effective amount of the composition is 300 mg. In another more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the effective amount of the composition is 400 mg.

[0035] In a particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention the effective amount of the composition is from 100mg to 400 mg, such as from 100mg to 300mg, such as from 150 mg to 250 mg such as 200mg, and the ginsenosides represent from about 5% to about 19% by weight of the extract, from about 8% to about 15% by weight of the extract or from about 10% to about 13% by weight of the extract.

[0036] In a particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the period of administration of the effective amount of the composition is at least once per day. In a more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the effective amount of the composition is administered at least once a day, at least twice a day or at least thrice a day.

[0037] In some particular embodiments of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the composition comprising a Panax genus root extract rich in ginsenosides is provided as anutraceutical composition or as a food composition comprising an effective amount of the composition comprising a Panax genus root extract.

[0038] As used herein, the expression “nutraceutical composition” refers to a formulation that includes one or several bioactive compounds and that provides a health benefit beyond nutrition. Such nutraceutical compositions can be used to prevent, manage and / or treat different health conditions. In some particular embodiments of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the nutraceutical composition compriseses the composition rich in ginsenosides. In some embodiments of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the nutraceutical composition is in any galenic form that is suitable for administering to the body, especially in any form that is conventional for oral administration, e.g. in solid forms such as (additives / supplements for) food or feed, food or feed premix, fortified food or feed, tablets, pills, granules, dragees, capsules and effervescent formulations, such as powders and tablets, or in liquid forms, such as solutions, emulsions or suspensions as e.g. beverages, pastes and oily suspensions. The pastes may be incorporated in hard or soft shell capsules, whereby the capsules feature e.g. a matrix of (fish, swine, poultry, cow) gelatine, plant proteins or ligninsulfonate.

[0039] As used herein, the expression “food composition” refers to protective hydrocolloids (such as gums, proteins, modified starches), binders, film-forming agents, encapsulating agents / materials, wall / shell materials, matrix compounds, coatings, emulsifiers, surface active agents, solubilising agents (oils, fats, waxes, lecithins etc.), adsorbents, carriers, fillers, co-compounds, dispersing agents, wetting agents, processing aids (solvents), flowing agents, taste-masking agents, weighting agents, jellyfying agents, gel-forming agents, antioxidants and antimicrobials.

[0040] In a particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the composition is administered at a single dose at least 12 hours, at least 11 hours, at least 10 hours, at least 9 hours, at least 8 hours, at least 7 hours, at least 6 hours, at least 5 hours, at least 4 hours, at least 3 hours, at least 2 hours, at least 1 h, at least 45 minutes or at least 30 min, prior to the moment in which the subject needs to carry out the activity which requires dividing his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks or before the moment in which the subject will start the non-stationary activity or before the subject will perform the executive function. In the context of this invention the administration regime described above is also refered to as having an acute effect. In a more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the composition is administered at a single dose 2 hours, prior to the moment in which the subject needs to carry out the activity which requires dividing his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks or before the momentin which the subject will start the non-stationary activity or before the subject will perform the executive function.

[0041] In another particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the composition is administered once per day for at least 1 day, at least 2 days, at least 3 days, at least 4 days, at least 5 days, at least 6 days, at least 7 days, at least 8 days, at least 9 days, at least 10 days, at least 11 days, at least 12 days, at least 13 days, at least 14 days, at least 15 days, at least 16 days, at least 17 days, at least 18 days, at least 19 days, at least 20 days, at least 21 days, at least 22 days, at least 23 days, at least 24 days, at least 25 days, at least 26 days, at least 27 days or at least 28 days prior to the day in which the subject needs to carry out the activity which requires dividing his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks or before the date in which the subject will carry out the non-stationary activity or before the subject will perform the executive function. In the context of this invention this administration regime is also refered to as having a chronic effect. In a more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the composition is administered once per day for at 14 days prior to the day in which the subject needs to carry out the activity which requires dividing his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks or before the date in which the subject will carry out the non-stationary activity or before the subject will perform the executive function.

[0042] In a particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention the composition is administered:

[0043] once per day for at least 1 day, at least 2 days, at least 3 days, at least 4 days, at least 5 days, at least 6 days, at least 7 days, at least 8 days, at least 9 days, at least 10 days, at least 11 days, at least 12 days, at least 13 days, at least 14 days, at least 15 days, at least 16 days, at least 17 days, at least 18 days, at least 19 days, at least 20 days, at least 21 days, at least 22 days, at least 23 days, at least 24 days, at least 25 days, at least 26 days, at least 27 days or at least 28 days prior to the day in which the subject needs to carry out the activity which requires dividing his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks or prior to the date in which the subject will carry out the non-stationary activity or before the subject will perform the executive function and

[0044] at least 12 hours, at least 11 hours, at least 10 hours, at least 9 hours, at least 8 hours, at least 7 hours, at least 6 hours, at least 5 hours, at least 4 hours, at least 3 hours, at least 2 hours, at least 1 h, at least 45 minutes or at least 30 min prior to the moment in which the subject needs to carryout the activity which requires dividing his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks or before the start of the non-stationary activity or before the subject will perform the executive function.

[0045] In the context of this invention this administration regime is also refered to as having an acute on chronic effect. In a more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention the composition is administered daily for at least 14 days prior to the day in which the subject needs to carry out the activity which requires dividing his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks or before the date in which the subject will carry out the non-stationary activity or before the subject will perform the executive function and wherein the composition is additional administered on the day in which the activity is carried out at least two hours prior to the start of said activity.

[0046] In some embodiments of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the composition is in a form that is suitable for administration to the body. In a more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the composition is in a form for oral administration. Non-limitng examples of forms for oral administration are solid forms such as (additives / supplements for) food or feed, food or feed premix, fortified food or feed, tablets, pills, granules, dragees, capsules and effervescent formulations, such as powders and tablets, or in liquid forms, such as solutions, emulsions or suspensions as e.g. beverages, pastes and oily suspensions. The pastes may be incorporated in hard or soft shell capsules, whereby the capsules feature e.g. a matrix of (fish, swine, poultry, cow) gelatine, plant proteins or ligninsulfonate.

[0047] In some particular embodiments of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the subject is a mammal. As used herein the term "mammals" refers to a human or non-human animal, including, but not limited to, mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, cats, pigs, cows, horses and non-human primates, including, but not limited to, monkeys and chimpanzees. In some more particular embodiments of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the subject is a human. In some other more particular embodiment of the non-therapeutic method of the invention, the subject is a dog or a horse.

[0048] ****

[0049] The present invention will be further described by reference to the following, non-limiting examples.

[0050] EXAMPLES

[0051] The aim of this research is to investigate the cognitive advantages of Cereboost™, an extract derived from American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), in enhancing athleticperformance among professional drivers. This study highlights Cereboost™'s potential to improve both mental and athletic capabilities.

[0052] : Benefits of the inventive solution

[0053] This is a one-arm, open-label, non-placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to determine the benefits of Cereboost™ in improving both objective and subjective sports performance through enhancements in mental performance.

[0054] 1.1. Materials and methods

[0055] Experimental Design

[0056] The objective of the present investigation was to determine the effect of acute and chronic supplementation of Cereboost™ on cognitive and driving performance in race car drivers. Participants were recruited from Indianapolis, IN, USA, which has a high population of race car drivers. Participants traveled to the Training facility in Indianapolis multiple times to assess the influence of Cereboost™ on their executive function, and simulator driving performance.

[0057] Cereboost™ is a Panax quinquefolius root extract with a ginsenosides contain of about 10% to about 13% by weight of the extract. The different ginsenosides concentration is as follows: Rg1 represents about 3% by weight of total ginsenosides, Re represents about 16% by weight of total ginsenosides, Rc represents about 16% by weight of total ginsenosides, Rb1 represents about 48% by weight of total ginsenosides, Rb2 represents about 4 % by weight of total ginsenosides and Rd represents about 13% by weight of total ginsenosides.

[0058] The first visit prioritized participant acclimation were participants completed the assessments to prevent any effect of learning on the outcome variables. Twenty-four hours later participants arrived in the morning and completed the tests as a “baseline measure.” The participant then consumed 200 mg of Cereboost™ and returned to the facility two hours later. The participant then repeated the measurements for the “acute phase of testing” (Acute measurement). Participants than consumed 200mg of Cereboost™ once a day for two weeks. At the end of the two weeks participants returned to the facility and performed the measurements in the morning (Chronic measurement). The participants then consumed200mg of Cereboost™ and returned two hours later to repeat the measurements (Acute on Chronic measurement).

[0059] Participants

[0060] A total of 129 licensed race car drivers were contacted about the study with 78 expressing interest in participating. Fifty-eight participants completed the acute testing with 42 completing the chronic phase of testing. Ten percent of participants were female, and the average age of all participants was 26.4±8.6 years.

[0061] Senaptec Sensory Station

[0062] The Senaptec Sensory Station is the most reliable and robust tool to assess cognitive function and executive function. The participants completed two rounds of testing at each visit.

[0063] The “Split Attention Test” on the Senaptec Sensory Station measures an individual's ability to manage and respond to multiple tasks simultaneously. This test combines a central cognitive task with a peripheral motor task. Users must respond to a constantly changing task at the center of the screen (a letter) while also reacting to peripheral targets (colored dots) appearing around the screen. This test is designed to evaluate and train the ability to divide attention effectively, which is crucial for activities that require multitasking and quick decision-making (race car driving).

[0064] The outcome measures of the split Attention test are:

[0065] 1. Total: The total number of targets presented during the test. A higher number of targets indicates the participant completed the task at a quicker speed.

[0066] 2. Go Hit: The number of correct responses to "Go" targets, indicating successful identification and reaction.

[0067] 3. No Go Hit: The number of correct inhibitions to "No Go" targets, showing the ability to withhold a response when necessary.

[0068] 4. Late: The number of responses that were too slow or delayed, indicating a lapse in reaction time.

[0069] 5. Overall Accuracy: The percentage of correct responses out of the total number of targets, reflecting the user's overall performance.

[0070] 6. Precision: The accuracy of responses in terms of hitting the correct targets without false positives.7. Speed: The average reaction time to the targets, measuring how quickly the user can respond.

[0071] Racing Simulator

[0072] Participants drove for 30 minutes on a racing simulator in a Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo at the Road America track, which has been previously demonstrated to be a valid tool to assess race car driving performancel . The car setup and track conditions were identical for all participants and phases of Cereboost™ supplementation. Lap time, driving errors, and number of laps completed were recorded. Additionally, the full race car telemetry system was downloaded to provide insight into driving performance.

[0073] Statistics

[0074] All data was analyzed in JMP Pro v16.0 (Sass, Cary, NC). Normality of the data was confirmed and then an Analysis of Variance was performed comparing condition (baseline, acute, chronic, and acute on chronic) to the variables defined above. Furthermore, data is presented as raw values and present change from baseline. An alpha level of 0.05 was set a priori and if significant (P<0.05) a Tukey’s HSD post hoc test was run. All values are presented as mean ± standard error.

[0075] 1.2. Results:

[0076] Senaptec Sensory Station

[0077] The results from the Senaptec Sensory Station are displayed in Table 1. There was a significant effect of Cereboost™ for the “late” variable on the split attention test, indicating that chronic and acute on chronic conditions had improved reaction time by 86.6 and 80.0%, respectively, compared to baseline. Other parameters were also improved over time such as No go hit 50%, accuracy 5.1% and speed 8%.

[0078] Table 1 : Split Attention Test % of change Vs Baseline

[0079] Condition Total Go Hit No Go Late Accuracy Precision Speed Hit

[0080] Acute -1.2 +0.0 +0.0 +6.6 +1.6 -0.3 +4.2 Chronic +3.4 -1.5 +0.0 +86.6* +4.1 -0.6 +3.2 Acute on +6.3 -0.36 +50.0 +80.0* +5.1 +0.3 +8.0 ChronicRacing Simulator

[0081] Professional drivers in an actual Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo racing on the Road America track will have racing laps lasting 130 seconds with qualifying laps lasting 124 seconds (based on skill and track conditions). The participants in the present investigation completed the simulator laps in a similar time demonstrating they possessed similar skills to professional race car drivers. There was an influence of Cereboost™ on fastest lap time, after the acute on chronic condition which elicited a three second faster lap time than the other conditions, (Figure 1). Previous reports have suggested that elite level IndyCar teams spend $100,000 to gain a 0.1 second advantage during competition, therefore, this improvement of 3 sec is highly relevant for athletic performance such as driving.

[0082] When examining the telemetry data from the simulated driving sessions it was determined that participants during the Cereboost™ chronic and acute on chronic conditions reached 100% throttle in the corners faster (Figure 2) than participants in the baseline and acute conditions. The Road America race course contains 10 turns (Figure 3) that require drivers to slow down before entering the turn. In order to achieve the fastest lap time, drivers must travel through the corners as quickly as possible and the ability to generate 100% throttle in the corners will elicit the fastest lap times. A representative telemetry tracing is presented in Figure 4, where the white colored lines represent the acute condition, and the grey colored lines represent the acute on chronic condition for the same participant. The visual display indicates that the participant obtained 100% throttle faster in the acute on chronic condition which resulted in a faster speed through the corner and an overall faster lap time.

[0083] 1.3 Summary:

[0084] The present investigation demonstrates the effects of Cereboost™ on executive function, cognitive and athletic performance in professional race car drivers. The study reveals that chronic supplementation with Cereboost™ led to improved reaction times on the Split Attention Test and enhanced performance in a racing simulator. Notably, drivers were able to achieve "full throttle" in corners more quickly than in baseline conditions, resulting in a significant 3-second reduction in their fastest lap times.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A non-therapeutic method comprising the administration of an effective amount of a composition comprising a Panax genus root extract that is rich in ginsenosides to improve the ability of a subject to divide his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks,improve reaction time of a subject when performing a non-stationary activity and / orImprove executive function of a subject.

2. The non-therapeutic method according to claim 1 wherein the multiple tasks include at least one task that requires to maintain central visual attention and at least one second task that requires a peripheral eye-hand motor response.

3. The non-therapeutic method according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the non-stationary activity is a team sport, an individual sport, a combat sport, a racket sport, a winter sport, an adventure sport and / or a motor sport, specially wherein the motor sport is sport car driving.

4. The non-therapeutic method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the Panax genus root extract comprises at least one ginsenoside selected from Rg1, Re, Rc, Rb1, Rb2 and Rd.

5. The non-therapeutic method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the ginsenosides represent from about 3% to about 100% by weight of the extract, specially wherein the ginsenosides represent from about 5% to about 19% by weight of the extract, from about 8% to about 15% by weight of the extract or from about 10% to about 13% by weight of the extract.

6. The non-therapeutic method according to any of the preceding claims wherein:Rg1 represents from about 1% to about 4% by weight of total ginsenosides, Re represents from about 4% to about 35% by weight of total ginsenosides, Rc represents from about 5% to about 35% by weight of total ginsenosides, Rb1 represents from about 40% to about 70% by weight of total ginsenosides, Rb2 represents from about 2% to about 15% by weight of total ginsenosides and / orRd represents from about 9% to about 30% by weight of total ginsenosides.

7. The non-therapeutic method according to claim 6 wherein:Rg1 represents about 3% by weight of total ginsenosides.Re represents about 16% by weight of total ginsenosides.Rc represents about 16% by weight of total ginsenosides.Rb1 represents about 48% by weight of total ginsenosides.Rb2 represents about 4 % by weight of total ginsenosides and / orRd represents about 13% by weight of total ginsenosides.

8. The non-therapeutic method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the Panax genus root extract that is rich in ginsenosides is provided as an extract of the root of a plant from the Panax genus selected from one or more of Panax quinquefolius, Panax ginseng and Panax notoginseng.

9. The non-therapeutic method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the effective amount of the composition is from about 100 mg to about 2000 mg, or from about 500 mg to about 1500 mg or from about 100 mg to 400 mg, such as 200 mg.

10. The non-therapeutic method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the effective amount of the composition is administered at least once a day, at least twice a day or at least thrice a day.

11. The non-therapeutic method according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein the composition is administered at a single doses at least 12 hours, at least 10 hours, at least 8 hours, at least 6 hours, at least 4 hours, at least 2 hours, at least 1 h, at least 30 min, prior to the moment in which the subject needs to carry out the activity which requires dividing his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks or before the moment in which the subject will start the non-stationary activity or before the subject will perform the executive function.

12. The non-therapeutics method according to any of claims 1 to 11 wherein the composition is administered once per day for at least 7 days, at least 14 days, at least 21 days or at least 28 days prior to the day in which the subject needs to carry out the activity which requires dividing his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks or before the date in which the subject will carry out the non-stationary activity or before the subject will perform the executive function.

13. The non-therapeutic method according to any of claims 1 to 12 wherein the composition is administered:once per day for at least 7 days, at least 14 days, at least 21 days or at least 28 days prior to the day in which the subject needs to carry out the activity which requires dividing his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks or prior to the date in which the subject will carry out the non-stationary activity or before the subject will perform the executive function andat least 1 hour, at least 2 hours, at least 3 hours or at least 4 hours prior to the moment in which the subject needs to carry out the activity which requires dividing his / her attention effectively between multiple tasks or before the start of the non- stationary activity or before the subject will perform the executive function.

14. The non-therapeutic method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the composition is for oral administration.

15. The non-therapeutic method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the subject is a human.

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