The Safety and Efficacy of MoodElite T-4003-1 on Improving Mood in a Healthy Adult Population With Mild to Moderate Depressive Symptoms Not Eligible for Therapeutic Intervention

The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of MoodElite T-4003-1 on improving mood in a healthy adult population with mild to moderate depressive symptoms not eligible for therapeutic intervention.

The objective of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of 42-day supplementation of MoodElite T-4003-1 on improving mood in healthy adults. The efficacy of MoodElite T-4003-1 on mood will be assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Profile of Mood States (POMS) Questionnaire. POMS is a self-reported assessment of mood that is adaptable to capturing transient and fluctuating feelings, or relatively enduring affect states and contributes to a comprehensive assessment by providing indications of potential mood disturbance. Self-reported sleep efficiency, perceived sleep debt, and sleep difficulty will be assessed by a Sleep Quality Questionnaire and supported by sleep scoring from actigraphy readings. As vitality is related to both mood and sleep, the Vitality and Quality of Life questionnaire will be used to measure changes in energy levels and quality of life over the 42-day study period. The effects of MoodElite T-4003-1 will be compared to a placebo and comparator product, EasyMind T-4008-1. EasyMind T-4008-1 contains extracts from Paeonia lactiflora, Gardenia jasminoides, Albizia julibrissin, Paeonia suffruticosa and has been shown to reduce anxiety-like behaviour in a rodent model using chronic restraint stress through reduction of corticosterone (cortisol) (unpublished results).

For the study population, the eligibility criteria limits the presence of confounding variables that could influence study outcomes. Participants will be healthy men and women between 18 and 65 years of age. Individuals will be recruited based on having mild to moderate depressive symptoms, as assessed by the BDI-II. The BDI-II contains 21 items and evaluates both psychological and physical symptoms related to depression. Participants with diagnosed chronic or major depression or psychiatric disorders will be excluded to ensure only those with mild, non-pathological depressive symptoms are enrolled. Any participants taking prescribed or over the counter mood altering medications will be excluded, as not to interfere with the evaluation of the effects of MoodElite T-4003-1 on mood. Participants taking supplements for mood support at a stable dose for at least three months will be evaluated by the QI to determine eligibility. Shift workers or individuals who have recently travelled across one or more time zones will be excluded to limit any confounding effects on outcomes.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals 18-65 years of age, inclusive
2. Individual is not of child-bearing potential, defined as those who have undergone a sterilization procedure (e.g. hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, complete endometrial ablation) or have been post-menopausal for at least one year prior to screening

   Or,

   Individuals of child-bearing potential must have a negative baseline urine pregnancy test and agree to use a medically approved method of birth control for the duration of the study. All hormonal birth control must have been in use for a minimum of three months. Acceptable methods of birth control include:
   * Injectable contraceptives (Depo-Provera, Lunelle), or hormone implant (Norplant System)
   * Double-barrier method
   * Intrauterine devices
   * Non-heterosexual lifestyle or agrees to use contraception if planning on changing to heterosexual partner(s)
   * Vasectomy of partner at least 6 months prior to screening
3. Individuals with mild to mild-moderate depressive symptoms, as determined by a score of 14-24 on the BDI-II at screening, and as assessed by the Qualified Investigator (QI)
4. Education level no less than that of primary school
5. Individuals who can read and write in English and can understand the BDI-II
6. Agrees to maintain current lifestyle habits as much as possible throughout the study depending on your ability to maintain the following: diet, medications, supplements, exercise, and sleep and avoid taking new supplements during the study period
7. Provided voluntary, written, informed consent to participate in the study
8. Healthy as determined by medical history and laboratory results as assessed by QI

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Women who are pregnant, breast feeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study
2. Allergy, sensitivity, or intolerance to the investigational product's active or inactive ingredients
3. History of diagnosed chronic or major depression as assessed by the QI
4. Participants undergoing behavioural therapy for depression. Participants who have completed at least 8 sessions of behavioural therapy with no improvement will be considered by the QI
5. Suicidal ideation as assessed by the BDI-II
6. History of psychiatric disorders such as organic brain disorders, bipolar affective disorder, personality disorder, as assessed by the QI
7. Diagnosed insomnia or other sleep disorders as assessed by the QI
8. Current employment that calls for shift work or have worked shift work in the last 3 weeks
9. Travel across 1 or more-time zones in the last 2 weeks and/or is anticipating more travel
10. Current use of prescribed medications, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, or supplements taken for treatment of depression or used to help sleep
11. Current use of prescribed medications that interact with Hypericum perforatum
12. Unstable metabolic disease or chronic diseases as assessed by the QI
13. Unstable hypertension. Treatment on a stable dose of medication for at least 3 months will be considered by the QI
14. Major surgery in the past 3 months or individuals who have planned surgery during the course of the study. Participants with minor surgery will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the QI
15. Cancer, except skin basal cell carcinoma completely excised with no chemotherapy or radiation with a follow up that is negative. Volunteers with cancer in full remission for more than five years after diagnosis are acceptable
16. Individuals with an autoimmune disease or are immune compromised as assessed by the QI
17. Use of medical cannabinoid products
18. Current chronic use of cannabinoid products (\>8 times/month) and is unwilling to stop for the duration of the study beginning 1 week prior to baseline. History of chronic and occasional use and the purpose of use to be assessed by QI on a case-by-case basis
19. Alcohol intake \>2 standard drinks per day as assessed by the QI
20. Alcohol or drug abuse within the last 12 months
21. Clinically significant abnormal laboratory results at screening as assessed by the QI
22. Participation in other clinical research studies 30 days prior to enrollment will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the QI
23. Individuals who are unable to give informed consent
24. Any other condition or lifestyle factor, that, in the opinion of the QI, may adversely affect the participant's ability to complete the study or its measures or pose significant risk to the participant