Black Elderberry Supplementation and Exercise Responses in Young Men

NCT07777510 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 0909-DR-23
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 19
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

his randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigated whether black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) supplementation affects blood lactate responses, oxidative stress biomarkers, and exercise-related physiological responses in young men who regularly exercise. Participants completed four assessment sessions: a pre-test and three supplementation phases involving a single dose, alternate-day supplementation for 14 days, and daily supplementation for 14 days. The anthocyanin group received black elderberry supplementation, while the control group received an identical placebo. Blood lactate, oxidative stress biomarkers, body composition, and exercise performance were assessed under standardized laboratory conditions across the study phases.

Conditions

Supplement

Keywords

Black elderberry; Anthocyanin supplementation; Blood lactate; Oxidative stress; Exercise performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Catalase (CAT) Activity

  Plasma catalase (CAT) activity was assessed at the pre-test and at the end of each supplementation phase. At the pre-test, venous blood was collected before the exercise protocol. During each supplementation phase, venous blood was collected 15 minutes after completion of the exercise protocol. In each supplementation phase, the final dose was administered approximately 2 hours before the exercise test. CAT activity was measured using a commercial ELISA kit (BT-LAB, Bioassay Technology Laboratory, Zhejiang, China) and reported in nmol/min/mL.

  Pre-test (before the exercise protocol) and 15 minutes after the exercise protocol at the end of each supplementation phase (single-dose, 14-day alternate-day, and 14-day daily supplementation).

• Glutathione (GSH) Level

  Plasma glutathione (GSH) level was assessed at the pre-test and at the end of each supplementation phase. At the pre-test, venous blood was collected before the exercise protocol. During each supplementation phase, venous blood was collected 15 minutes after completion of the exercise protocol. In each supplementation phase, the final dose was administered approximately 2 hours before the exercise test. GSH level was measured using a commercial ELISA kit (BT-LAB, Bioassay Technology Laboratory, Zhejiang, China) and reported in µmol/g

  Pre-test (before the exercise protocol) and 15 minutes after the exercise protocol at the end of each supplementation phase (single-dose, 14-day alternate-day, and 14-day daily supplementation).

• Malondialdehyde (MDA)

  Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was assessed at the pre-test and at the end of each supplementation phase. At the pre-test, venous blood was collected before the exercise protocol. During each supplementation phase, venous blood was collected 15 minutes after completion of the exercise protocol. In each supplementation phase, the final dose was administered approximately 2 hours before the exercise test. MDA concentration was measured using a commercial ELISA kit (BT-LAB, Bioassay Technology Laboratory, Zhejiang, China) and reported in nmol/mL.

  Pre-test (before the exercise protocol) and 15 minutes after the exercise protocol at the end of each supplementation phase (single-dose, 14-day alternate-day, and 14-day daily supplementation).

• Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Activity

  Plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was assessed at the pre-test and at the end of each supplementation phase. At the pre-test, venous blood was collected before the exercise protocol. During each supplementation phase, venous blood was collected 15 minutes after completion of the exercise protocol. In each supplementation phase, the final dose was administered approximately 2 hours before the exercise test. SOD activity was measured using a commercial ELISA kit (BT-LAB, Bioassay Technology Laboratory, Zhejiang, China) and reported in U/mL.

  Pre-test (before the exercise protocol) and 15 minutes after the exercise protocol at the end of each supplementation phase (single-dose, 14-day alternate-day, and 14-day daily supplementation).

• Nitric Oxide (NO)

  Plasma nitric oxide (NO) concentration was assessed at the pre-test and at the end of each supplementation phase. At the pre-test, venous blood was collected before the exercise protocol. During each supplementation phase, venous blood was collected 15 minutes after completion of the exercise protocol. In each supplementation phase, the final dose was administered approximately 2 hours before the exercise test. NO concentration was measured using a commercial ELISA kit (BT-LAB, Bioassay Technology Laboratory, Zhejiang, China) and reported in µmol/L.

  Pre-test (before the exercise protocol) and 15 minutes after the exercise protocol at the end of each supplementation phase (single-dose, 14-day alternate-day, and 14-day daily supplementation).

• Blood Lactate Concentration

  Blood lactate concentration measured from capillary blood samples using a portable lactate analyzer (EDGE).

  Baseline (pre-test), during the 3rd minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 30 minutes post-exercise during recovery; measurements repeated after Baseline (pre-test), single-dose, alternate-day, and daily supplementation phases.

Study Arms (2)

Anthocyanin Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) supplementation according to the study protocol, including single-dose, alternate-day, and daily supplementation phases.

Dietary Supplement: Anthocyanin Group

Placebo Group

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants received placebo capsules identical in appearance and administration schedule to the black elderberry capsules.

Dietary Supplement: Placebo Group

Interventions

Anthocyanin Group DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants received 300 mg black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) extract capsules according to the study protocol.

Anthocyanin Group

Placebo Group DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants received placebo capsules containing maltodextrin according to the study protocol.

Placebo Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 27 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male participants aged 18-27 years.
• Engaged in regular exercise at least three times per week during the previous three months.
• No history of cardiovascular, metabolic, or endocrine disease.
• No use of dietary supplements during the preceding month.
• Provided written informed consent before participation.

You may not qualify if:

• Known allergy or intolerance to black elderberry or other berry-based supplements.
• Serious musculoskeletal injury or surgery within the previous six months.
• Failure to comply with the study protocol.
• Development of any health problem that prevented continuation of the exercise protocol.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kocatepe University: lead
• Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Kocatepe University

Afyonkarahisar, Afyonkarahisar, 03030, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 13, 2026
• First Posted: August 20, 2026
• Study Start: May 6, 2024
• Primary Completion: July 27, 2024
• Study Completion: July 27, 2024
• Last Updated: August 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)