The History of Kesum…

Kesum (Polygonum minus) is a culinary spice traditionally used in Southeast Asian cuisine. It is used for anti-aging, as a digestion aid, post-partum tonic, and for supporting vision. The leaves are rich in flavonoids, carotenes, vitamin C, α-tocopherol (vitamin E), calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper and zinc. Kesum, also known as “Smart Weed,” has been associated with improving memory and cognition, and protecting neural health.

Patented, Standardized, Clinically Tested & Proven…

IQ200® Polygonum minus extract is standardized to quercetin-3-glucuronide ≥0.45% and total phenolic content ≥100mg GAE/g dE. IQ200® is protected by US Patent US9877993B2 for cognition and cosmetic use. IQ200® is a breakthrough new, water-soluble, high antioxidant food-based herb with mild taste that can be formulated in drinks, sachets and capsules/tablets.

 

Clinical studies show improvements in cognitive flexibility, processing speed and executive function in adults. Research demonstrated improvements in working memory and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), as well as activation of the brain prefrontal cortex responsible for executive function associated with planning, decision making, speech and behavior.

Superior Antioxidant Protection…

Kesum has been shown to have the highest total phenolic content among other common spices. IQ200® shows strong antioxidant properties that slow the oxidative processes and free radical damage as demonstrated in DPPH, FRAP, and CAP-e (Cell-based Antioxidant Protection in erythrocytes) antioxidant activity value.

IQ200® Improves Learning & Memory…

In a pre-clinical study, mice were treated with scopolamine to induce deficits in spatial navigation task. Mice were given either 50 mg/kg P. minus, 100mg/kg P. minus, 50mg/kg Ginkgo biloba, Donepezil (Alzheimer’s care drug) or vehicle (water), 14 days prior to Barnes maze testing. Those treated with 100mg/kg of IQ200® behaved the same as the controls and did not show a scopolamine deficit in learning. IQ200® reduced the total path length, total latency time taken to find the escape route, and reduces total errors made in escape route selection. The effect is equivalent to Donepezil.

Human Clinical Trials Results …

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, arm-crossover trial, 20 subjects aged 35-65 were given either 150mg of IQ200® or placebo before test.

 

IQ200® Significantly Improved Cognitive Function Score Compared to Baseline

In another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 35 subjects between age 35-55 were given either 250mg of IQ200® or placebo twice daily for 6 weeks.

The effects of six months IQ200® supplement among older adults with mild cognitive impairment …

In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 36 older adults (60 to 75-year-old) with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) were given 250mg of IQ200® or placebo twice daily for 6 months. IQ200® significantly improved memory, mood, brain activation and triglycerides.

 

Sub group analysis between population with good mood and poor mood showed significant improvement in WASI score in good mood population. The poor mood population had significant improvement in social functioning and digit span (attention). Inflammatory biomarkers iNOS and MDA were also reduced.

 

IQ200® Significantly Improved Memory By 10%

Percentage mean change of Visual Reproduction II was significantly increased by 9.8% in IQ200® group vs decreased by 6.8% in the placebo group. (p=0.012).

IQ200® Significantly Improved Negative Mood Profiles by 33%

IQ200® Significantly Activates Brain Function

The volume rendered brain using region of interest (ROI) analysis at baseline and 6 months showed more areas were activated including inferior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, and precentral gyrus. Right Dorso=lateral pre-frontal cortex (DLPFC) activation during 0-back, 1-back and Stroop tasks on a volume rendered brain at baseline (a) and 6th month (b), family-wise error (FWE) corrected p < 0.05. More activation was observed during the brain tasks at the right DLPFC regions included precentral gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, and middle frontal gyrus at 6th-month intervention when compared to baseline. Triglycerides in IQ200 group reduced by 19.05% vs placebo +10.7% (P=0.0029).

 

(Blue area: 0-back task; Red area: 1-back task; Green area: Stroop task; Magenta area: 0-back and 1-back tasks; Cyan area: 0-back and Stroop tasks; Yellow area: 1-back and Stroop tasks)