The Effect of Lemongrass on Aerobic Performance

NCT07195240 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 10394
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this experimental study is to examine the influence of Lemongrass extract on aerobic training parameters following a 6-week training programme in males. A secondary aim will be to explore the influence on sexual wellness. Participants will attend 23 visits to the laboratory involving:

• fitness testing (some to exhaustion).
• blood sampling (capillary and venous samples).
• a supervised 6 week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programme.
• consuming either the lemongrass extract or placebo in the form of tablets, once a day during the 6 week training.

Conditions

Sexual Wellness; Aerobic Capacity; Exercise Efficiency

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Aerobic Capacity

  To determine the effect of the intervention vs placebo on marker of aerobic capacity (VO2peak). It will be assessed using breath-by-breath gas analysis during a graded exercise protocol on a static bike. The test will start at the intensity immediately below the second inflection point identified on the lactate profile (conducted in visit 2). The intensity will increase by 30 w each minute until VO2peak which will be confirmed when at least one of the following criteria (according to CASES) are met: (1) a plateau in VO2 despite an increase in workload; (2) a respiratory exchange ratio (RER) higher than 1.15; (3) peak heart rate at least equal to 90% of the age-predicted maximum and/or (4) RPE of \>18; (5) a blood lactate concentration of \> 8mMol/L. Maximum aerobic power will be defined as the final completed work rate. This will be used for subsequent training prescription (125% of maximal aerobic power \[Pmax\]).

  This measure will assessed and measured twice: Baseline assessment: Visit 3 (Week 1, prior to the intervention). Post-intervention assessment: Visit 23 (Week 8, within 48 hours after the final training session).

• Aerobic Performance (blood lactate)

  To determine the effect of intervention vs placebo on secondary markers of maximal aerobic performance (blood lactate). A total of 14 (more if the submaximal exercise test progresses beyond 4 stages) capillary samples will be collected for each participant during the submaximal and graded exercise tests. This will be pre-exercise, then in the final minute of each ramped stage during the submaximal test. A final lactate sample will be collected upon completion of the VO2peak test. These samples will be analysed for lactate concentration immediately using a Biosen C-line analyser before being disposed of.

  This measure will be assessed three times. Familiarisation and lactate profiling: Visit 2 (Week 0). Baseline assessment: Visit 3 (Week 1, prior to the intervention), Post-intervention assessment: Visit 23 (Week 8, within 48 hrs after the final training).

• Aerobic Performance (heart rate)

  To determine the effect, if any, of intervention vs placebo on secondary markers of maximal aerobic performance (heart rate). Heart rate will be continuously monitored using a chest strap (Polar monitor) throughout the various exercise protocols (lactate profiling in visit 2 and 3, and the graded exercise task in visit 3 and 23).

  This measure will be assessed three times. Familiarisation and lactate profiling: Visit 2 (Week 0). Baseline assessment: Visit 3 (Week 1, prior to the intervention), Post-intervention assessment: Visit 23 (Week 8, within 48 hrs after the final training).

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Sexual Wellness

  This measure will assessed and measured twice: Baseline assessment: Visit 3 (Week 1, prior to the intervention). Post-intervention assessment: Visit 23 (Week 8, within 48 hours after the final training session).

• Serum

  This measure will assessed and measured twice: Baseline assessment: Visit 3 (Week 1, prior to the intervention). Post-intervention assessment: Visit 23 (Week 8, within 48 hours after the final training session).

Study Arms (2)

Active: Lemongrass Extract

EXPERIMENTAL

Tablet containing 200mg Lemongrass extract (Mibelle).

Dietary Supplement: Active: Lemongrass

Control: Placebo

EXPERIMENTAL

Tablet containing microcrystalline cellulose.

Dietary Supplement: Control: Placebo

Interventions

Active: Lemongrass DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

200mg of lemongrass extract

Active: Lemongrass Extract

Control: Placebo DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

microcrystalline cellulose

Control: Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age ≥ 40 and ≤ 60 years.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 19 and ≤ 35 kg/m2.
• Willingness and ability to comply with the protocol in the opinion of the Investigator.
• Judged by the Investigator to be in good health as assessed by a health screening questionnaire.
• Currently identifies as the same biological sex as at birth.
• Currently deemed to be between a physical activity status of sedentaryy to moderately trained (Meet World Health Organization minimum activity guidelines: Adults aged 18-64 years old completing at least 150 to 300 min moderate-intensity activity or 75-150 min of vigorous-intensity activity a week, plus muscle-strengthening activities 2 or more days a week).
• Have a blood pressure \< 140/90 mmHg.

You may not qualify if:

• A history of heart disease.
• Any disease that might interfere with the absorption of nutrients (e.g. Chron's disease, celiac disease).
• Recent musculoskeletal or soft tissue injury (within the last 3 months).
• The habitual use of medication that is antihypertensive or antidiabetic medication or might inhibit the ability to complete the study participation.
• Alcohol Intake of greater than 21 units per week.
• A change in bodyweight of more than 3kg within the month preceding the study.
• Currently following a weight-loss or weight-gain programme.
• Any known bleeding disorder or reaction to withdrawal of blood samples

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Northumbria University: lead
• Mibelle Group Biochemistry: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Northumbria University

Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• Glyn Howatson

  Northumbria Univeristy

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Emma Squires, Dr

CONTACT

07585775838; emma2.squires@northumbria.ac.uk

Gill Drinkald

CONTACT

gill.drinkald@northumbria.ac.uk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 5, 2025
• First Posted: September 26, 2025
• Study Start: October 24, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2026
• Study Completion: June 1, 2026
• Last Updated: April 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

GB (1)