Helixmith "Plant-Based Complex Extract Shows Effectiveness When Co-Administered with ADHD Medication"

by Seo Sojeong

Published 26 Jan.2021 10:50(KST)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jung] Helixmith announced on the 26th that the plant-based complex extract 'Cheonmadeung Complex Extract (HX106)' has been confirmed to enhance the therapeutic effects of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as an adjunctive treatment. The research results were published in the international academic journal Integrative Medicine Research.

HX106 is a plant-based complex extract developed by Helixmith's natural products research team. It was proven to improve working memory and was approved as a individually recognized ingredient by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2015.

In this paper, it was confirmed that when HX106 is used together with the ADHD medication methylphenidate, it further enhances the attention improvement effects of methylphenidate. The research team conducted a clinical trial by dividing 29 children with ADHD who were taking methylphenidate into two groups. The first group took methylphenidate and a placebo, while the second group took methylphenidate together with HX106 for 4 weeks.

Using the ADHD clinical scale K-ARS (Korean version of DuPaul ADHD Rating Scale) to compare the two groups, the group that took HX106 together showed improvement and was effective in enhancing attention. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analysis also showed that the group combining HX106 exhibited improved activation and connectivity in brain regions related to attention control.

ADHD is a neuropsychiatric disorder caused by abnormalities in the frontal lobe, leading to difficulties in behavior, cognition, and emotion. Its main symptoms are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It mainly appears in childhood, and if not properly managed during growth, there is a high risk of developing various disorders such as tic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, learning disabilities, and depression.