The Effect of Sideritis Scardica (SidTea+) Extract Supplementation on Health and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Healthy Individuals

The mountain tea of genus Sideritis has more than 150 species, which are mainly distributed in the Mediterranean area. In the literature, extensive reference is made to the secondary metabolites of Sideritis, the main ones of which are terpenoids (i.e., iridoids and kauranes) and phenolic derivatives (i.e., flavonoids, phenolic acids, phenylethanoid glycosides). Polyphenols exhibit a wide range of biological activities, such as anti-atherogenic, anti-cancer, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Among phenolic derivatives, major significance is given to flavonoids, due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-allergic properties in various pathologies. Flavonoids mainly act as antioxidants, inhibiting free radical-induced cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation. Moreover, these compounds are known to inhibit tumor growth and proliferation and act as weak agonists or antagonists of estrogens by regulating endogenous hormonal activity. In these ways, they can protect against chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer and regulate menopausal symptoms.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effect of a Sideritis Scardica extract (SidTea+) supplement from the Greek mountain Taygetos on health and oxidative stress indicators in healthy individuals. The results of the present investigation will help to elucidate the effects of an extract derived from a plant product on markers of health and oxidative stress in apparently healthy individuals.

Methodology: 30 healthy individuals will be enrolled in the study. Participants will give their informed consent after they will be informed about the purposes, procedures, risks and benefits associated with the study. Participants will be randomly allocated to either a Sideritis spp or a placebo supplementation group and they will consume 1500 mg/day of Sideritis or placebo, distributed in three equal doses (every 8 hours) for one month. At baseline and post-intervention, volunteers will be assessed for their anthropometric profile, muscle function and cardiorespiratory capacity and will provide a resting blood sample for the assessment of oxidative stress and health biomarkers. Participants will be asked to record their diet for 3 days prior to the study and they will be asked to follow the same dietary pattern for 3 days before the post-intervention assessments.