Role of Acacia catechu and Scutellaria baicalensis in Enhancing Immune Function Following Influenza Vaccination of Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to examine the role of an Acacia catechu and Scutellaria baicalensis formulation, UP446, on supporting immune function in response to influenza vaccination. Methods: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study consisted of a 56-day intervention period with a 28-day pre-vaccination period, an influenza vaccination on Day 28 and 28-day post-vaccination period. Fifty healthy adults 40–80 years of age who had not received their flu vaccine were randomized to either UP446 or Placebo. At baseline, Days 28 and 56, immune and oxidative stress markers were measured in blood and a quality of life questionnaire was administered. Participants completed the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS)-24 daily. Results: In the post-vaccination period, total IgA and IgG levels increased in participants supplemented with UP446 vs. those on Placebo (p ≤ 0.026). As well, influenza B-specific IgG increased 19.4% from Day 28 to 56 and 11.6% from baseline at Day 56 (p ≤ 0.0075). Serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was increased in the pre-vaccination period and from baseline at Day 56 with UP446 supplementation (p ≤ 0.0270). Conclusion: These results suggest a 56-day supplementation with UP446 was beneficial in mounting a robust humoral response following vaccination. Increasing GSH-Px in the pre-vaccination period may help improve antioxidant functions and potentially mitigate the oxidative stress induced following vaccination.