Frutarom’s Neuravena® improves stress coping abilities and cognitive function / Activity proven in current studies
Switzerland, October 2007 – Neuravena® (EFLA®955), Frutarom’s wild green oat extract, has been shown to enhance stress coping abilities as well as learning performance. The phytonutrients present in the extract are thought to affect the activity of cerebral enzymes closely related to mental health and cognitive function. The conclusions drawn from previous in-vitro studies have now been confirmed by two in-vivo investigations.
Study 1: Changes in brain activity
Nonspecific effects on the brain can be investigated by measuring changes in brain activity. In the first study the effect of orally administered Neuravena® on the electrical brain activity of rats was examined with the aid of the “Tele-Stereo EEG” methodol-ogy. Increasing individual doses of the oat extract were administered to the animals at 90-minute intervals. Changes in the electrical activity of the brain were measured continuously over a period of five hours.
Results of the study showed that Neuravena® has stimulating effects on brain activity, with the highest dose exerting the greatest effect. The observed effects on electrical brain activity, the so-called electrical fingerprint, is indicative of the stimulating proper-ties of Neuravena®. It also suggests a stimulating effect on the dopaminergic transmitter system, which is implicated in cognitive functioning as well as in motiva-tion, and also plays a role in depression. The results confirm the conclusions drawn from previous in-vitro tests, which revealed an inhibitory effect of Neuravena® on the enzyme monoaminoxidase B, which is responsible for degradation of the messenger substance dopamine.
A subsequent database comparison of the electrical fingerprint of Neuravena® with the activity profiles of various drugs affecting the central nervous system revealed that Neuravena stimulates brain activity similar to pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of dementia.
Study 2: Behavioural studies on stress coping abilities and learning perform-ance
A second study investigated the effect of Neuravena® on the central nervous system in a series of standardised behavioural trials. A group of 12 rats was administered a dose of 1 g/kg body weight with their food over a period of seven weeks, while an-other group was given the tenfold dose and a control group received a normal diet. The results indicated enhanced stress coping abilities and alertness as well as an improvement in general learning performance and speed of learning. Moreover, a positive effect on social behaviour was observed. A subsequent pathological exami-nation also confirmed that ingestion of Neuravena® is safe and well tolerated in sub-chronic treatment.
These results have been presented at the beginning of September at the 55th Inter-national Congress of the Society for Medical Plant Research in Graz, Austria.
New product positioning possibilities for dietary supplements and functional foods
As shown by the latest studies, Neuravena® promotes stress coping abilities and ex-erts a positive effect on cognitive performance, most probably mainly on concentra-tion and learning ability. In view of the growing market for mental health products considerable potential thus unfolds for the extract. With Neuravena®, Frutarom offers manufacturers of dietary supplements and functional foods a natural and well-tolerated ingredient, with which products tailor-made for our achievement-oriented society can be manufactured on a scientifically sound basis and appropriately positioned in the marketplace.
Like other extracts of the EFLA® line, Frutarom produces the green oat extract Neuravena® with the aid of the patented PIC-GMP-compliant EFLA®HyperPure proc-ess. The extract is manufactured exclusively from an oat variety cultivated especially for Frutarom by contract growing. This variety is characterized by a particularly high bioactivity and was selected by the company from among numerous other varieties by bioassay screening.
About Frutarom
Established in 1933, the Frutarom Group is a rapidly growing global flavor and fine ingredients company. Frutarom develops, manufactures and markets an extensive variety of high quality flavors and natural fine ingredients for customers in the food, beverage, flavor, fragrance, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food additive, and cosmetic industries. Frutarom's 15,000 products are sold to more than 5,000 customers in 120 countries around the world. The Frutarom Group has 1,200 employees worldwide and manufacturing facilities in Europe, North America, Israel and Asia.
Frutarom operates through two divisions:
- Flavors Division, which develops, produces and markets flavor compounds and food systems.
- Fine Ingredients Division, which develops, produces and markets natural flavor extracts, functional food ingredients, natural pharmaceutical/nutraceutical extracts, specialty essential oils, citrus prod-ucts and aroma chemicals.
Frutarom provides tasty and healthy solutions to its customers fulfilling our vision: To be the Preferred Partner for Tasty and Healthy Success.
Since 1993, Frutarom has successfully implemented a rapid growth strategy that combines organic growth at above-industry levels with strategic acquisitions of synergistic companies.
Frutarom Industries Ltd. is a public company whose stock is listed on the Tel Aviv and London Stock Exchanges. As of January 1, 2003 Frutarom has been included in the Tel Aviv 100 Index.
For further information, visit our website: www.frutarom.com