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NCT Number: NCT07777510

Black Elderberry Supplementation and Exercise Responses in Young Men

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Supplement

Age range

18 year–27 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kocatepe University

Afyonkarahisar, 03030, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 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.

Exclusion criteria

  • 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.

Treatment and study plan

Anthocyanin Group

Dietary Supplement

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

Placebo Group

Dietary Supplement

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

Primary outcomes

  1. Catalase (CAT) Activity

    Time frame: 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).

    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.

  2. Glutathione (GSH) Level

    Time frame: 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).

    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

  3. Malondialdehyde (MDA)

    Time frame: 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).

    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.

  4. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Activity

    Time frame: 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).

    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.

  5. Nitric Oxide (NO)

    Time frame: 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).

    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.

  6. Blood Lactate Concentration

    Time frame: 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.

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

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Kocatepe University

Other

Collaborators

  • Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Black Elderberry Supplementation on Blood Lactate Responses and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Young Men: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Aug 20, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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