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Supplementary file 1_Influence of a full-spectrum aqueous extract of black cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) fruits on focus/alertness and executive function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-and active- controlled, 14-day comparative study in healthy working professionals.docx Jestin V. Thomas (9085088) M. E. Mohan (17787191) Syam S. Das (23695341) Nithyanandam Allimuthu (23695344) Sheena Devasia (23695347) P. A. Aneesa (23695350) Krishnakumar Illathu Madhavamenon (23695353) Baby Chakrapani Pulikkaparambil Sasidharan (15301777) Neuroscience Amomum subulatum black cardamom caffeine CNS vital signs cognition executive function Background<p>Nootropics enhance cognitive functions, including memory, attention, alertness, mood, and reaction time, through diverse neurobiological mechanisms. Caffeine, one of the most widely consumed nootropics, improves cognitive performance primarily by promoting wakefulness and alertness; however, these effects are generally transient. Consequently, there is growing interest in plant-derived, food-grade nootropics that can provide sustained cognitive benefits with a favorable safety profile. In this context, the nootropic efficacy of a full-spectrum aqueous extract of black cardamom fruits (MA2-24), administered alone and in combination with caffeine, was evaluated in the clinical trial.</p>Methods<p>This randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, 4-arm parallel group study for 14 days included healthy participants randomized into four groups (n = 24/group): placebo (250 mg), MA2-24 (250 mg), caffeine (200 mg), or MA2-24 + caffeine (250 + 200 mg). Cognitive performance was assessed on the 1st, 7th and 14th day at 1-, 3-, 5-, and 8-h post-intervention time points using validated CNS Vital Signs (CNSVS) tasks.</p>Results<p>Linear mixed-effects analyses revealed significant effects of treatment, study day, and post-dose assessment time on cognitive performance, with significant interaction effects across outcomes. Supplementation with MA2-24 improved cognitive performance, particularly in measures of attention, processing speed, cognitive flexibility, and executive function, as reflected by increased correct responses, faster reaction times, and fewer errors in the Shifting Attention, Symbol Digit Coding, and Stroop tests. Significant improvements with MA2-24 were observed during the early post-dose period (1–3 h) across multiple cognitive outcomes compared with placebo (p < 0.05). Co-administration of MA2-24 with caffeine produced greater improvements at the later post-dose assessments (5–8 h), particularly on Day 14 (p < 0.05).</p>Conclusion<p>CNSVS tests demonstrated that MA2-24 possesses significant nootropic potential in domains of attention, cognitive flexibility, executive function and processing speed, as evidenced by increased correct responses, faster reaction times, and fewer errors when consumed both as a standalone intervention and in combination with caffeine.</p>Clinical trial registration<p>https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?EncHid=MTE0NzIx&Enc=&userName=, identifier CTRI/2024/09/074472.</p> 2026-09-30T13:25:27Z Dataset Dataset 10.3389/fnins.2026.1879347.s001 https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Supplementary_file_1_Influence_of_a_full-spectrum_aqueous_extract_of_black_cardamom_Amomum_subulatum_Roxb_fruits_on_focus_alertness_and_executive_function_a_randomized_double-blind_placebo-and_active-_controlled_14-day_comparative_study_in_/34032609 CC BY 4.0