Endpoint
Cortisol concentration
The main glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex. Its synthetic counterpart is used, either as an injection or topically, in the treatment of inflammation, allergy, collagen diseases, asthma, adrenocortical deficiency, shock, and some neoplastic conditions.
CAT:outcome/serum-cortisolreported in micrograms/dL3 findings from 3 compounds
What moved it
How to read these marks3 findings · 3 compounds · by evidence strength
| Compound | Direction | Findings | Strongest evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lactiplantibacillus plantarum | down | 1 | Evidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers. |
| 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan | up | 1 | Evidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence. |
| curcumin | down | 1 | Evidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence. |
Reported to move it
3 findings
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum — decreases
ModerateEvidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.Finding“The GKK1 group showed lower cortisol levels than the placebo group at 48 h post-EIMD (p = 0.023, 95% CI [−2.73 to −0.29], Cohen’s d = 0.680) (Table 6 and Figure 5B).”
Quoted verbatim from Effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GKK1 Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Fatigue, Muscle Damage, and Recovery in Healthy Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.. - Study
- RCT
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Dose
- two capsules daily, 1.0 x 10^11 CFU per day, 28 days before the damaging exercise
- Population
- Healthy sedentary adult men after a 100-jump plyometric muscle-damage protocol; serum cortisol at the 48 h post-exercise timepoint only; placebo capsules in the comparator arm
Effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GKK1 Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Fatigue, Muscle Damage, and Recovery in Healthy Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.2026PMID:42738954Industry fundedPermalink
5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan — increases
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.Finding“Only infusion with 40 mg 5-HTP led to an increase in plasma cortisol in both patients and controls.”
Quoted verbatim from Behavioral, neuroendocrine and biochemical effects of different doses of 5-HTP in panic disorder.. - Study
- crossover
- Dose
- 40 mg i.v.
- Population
- panic disorder patients and healthy controls, i.v. 5-HTP challenge
Behavioral, neuroendocrine and biochemical effects of different doses of 5-HTP in panic disorder.1996PMID:8791035Permalink
curcumin — decreases
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.Finding“Furthermore, curcumin decreases inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor α level, increases plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels, and decreases salivary cortisol concentrations compared with placebo group.”
Quoted verbatim from Chronic Supplementation of Curcumin Enhances the Efficacy of Antidepressants in Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study.. - Study
- RCT
- Duration
- 6 weeks
- Dose
- 1000 mg/day (2 capsules)
- Population
- adult men (31-59 years) with major depressive disorder, continuing their existing antidepressant medication regimen in both curcumin and placebo arms (adjunctive therapy)
Chronic Supplementation of Curcumin Enhances the Efficacy of Antidepressants in Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study.2015PMID:26066335Permalink
How it is measured
Cortisol concentration in serum, plasma or saliva by immunoassay or LC-MS/MS. The matrix, the clock time of sampling, and whether the value is a single point, an awakening response, or a diurnal area under the curve are recorded with each finding - these are not interchangeable and cortisol varies several-fold across the day.
Sources cited
3 papers
- Subject
- cortisol concentration
- Findings
- 3
- Papers
- 3
Effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GKK1 Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Fatigue, Muscle Damage, and Recovery in Healthy Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.record2026PMID:427389541 finding
Chronic Supplementation of Curcumin Enhances the Efficacy of Antidepressants in Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study.record2015PMID:260663351 finding
Behavioral, neuroendocrine and biochemical effects of different doses of 5-HTP in panic disorder.record1996PMID:87910351 finding