Akay Bioactives has reported new clinical data suggesting its ThymoDream black cumin seed extract may offer a plant-based approach to sleep support that is comparable to synthetic melatonin.
The findings come from a randomised, double-blind, active-controlled crossover trial published in the journal Frontiers in Sleep.
The study involved 24 healthy adults with non-restorative sleep, who received either 200 mg of ThymoDream or 5 mg of synthetic melatonin for seven nights, followed by a seven-day washout period before crossing over to the other intervention.
Sleep was assessed using actigraphy, while researchers also measured plasma melatonin, dim-light melatonin onset (DLMO), serum cortisol and daytime sleepiness.
The results
Both interventions improved sleep measures, although the effects differed between the two ingredients.
ThymoDream was associated with a significant increase in total sleep time, with participants recording an average of 12.6 minutes more sleep than during the melatonin intervention.
Sleep efficiency and wake after sleep onset did not differ significantly between treatments, while melatonin produced a greater reduction in sleep latency.
The researchers also found differences in melatonin profiles.
Following seven days of ThymoDream supplementation, the average dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) shifted from around 11 PM at baseline to approximately 9.30 PM, indicating an earlier onset of endogenous melatonin secretion.
Plasma melatonin levels increased progressively following ThymoDream intake, with the authors reporting a more sustained profile than that observed following synthetic melatonin.
Daytime sleepiness was another area where ThymoDream showed a difference. Across all 24 participants, Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores fell significantly.
Among the nine participants who had elevated daytime sleepiness at baseline, scores decreased by 25.7% after seven days of ThymoDream, while the reduction with melatonin was not significant.
ThymoDream also reduced mean serum cortisol from 25.22 to 19.82 μg/dL after seven days, although the mixed-model analysis did not show a statistically significant treatment difference between ThymoDream and melatonin.
“Melatonin may be widely used, but it’s not suitable for everyone,” said Frederik Krabbe Errebo, Head of Business Unit, Akay Bioactives.
"These findings show that ThymoDream offers a plant-based approach that works with the body’s natural processes while delivering measurable benefits for sleep, with select outcomes comparable to melatonin use and with fewer reports of daytime sleepiness."
For consumers seeking clean-label solutions for sleep support, this represents a compelling option supported by clinical science.
The ingredient is a patented Nigella sativa extract containing at least 5% thymoquinone and 0.5% carvacrol, produced using Akay’s cold-press technology.
The company says it is designed for applications including softgels and liquid-filled capsules.
The new trial builds on earlier research into ThymoDream, including a 2023 Frontiers in Nutrition randomised placebo-controlled study in 70 participants, which reported improvements in sleep efficiency, total sleep time, sleep onset latency and wake after sleep onset after seven days at 200 mg/day.
However, the latest head-to-head trial remains relatively small — plus, the paper does note that Akay funded the study and that several authors were employees of Akay Natural Ingredients.
