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 | | FRUTAROM’S NEURAVENA BOOSTS MENTAL HEALTH AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION | | | International Food Ingredients | | 30/05/2008 | | | With its bioactivity-tested wild green oat extract Neuravena, Frutarom is offering food supplement and functional food manufacturers a patented and science-based health ingredient for various applications. Neuravena has been shown to enhance stress coping abilities as well as learning performance, as the extract’s phytonutrients are thought to affect the activity of cerebral enzymes closely related to mental health and cognitive function. Neuravena can be used in functional food applications such as beverages, dairy products, bakery and confectionary.
In order to select the most efficient extract, Frutarom screened dozens of oat varieties for activity in various Central Nervous System (CNS) test systems, focusing on different targets connected to the traditional areas of green oat use. This bioassay screening revealed a clinically significant inhibitory effect on two enzymes closely connected to mental health and cognitive function – monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) and phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE 4). Depending on the raw material used, the inhibitory activity on the two enzymes varied dramatically. The final development of the extract was based on the MAO-B and PDE 4 inhibition tests using the best performing green oat variety – Neuravena.
To assess Neuravena’s activity profile in greater detail, the impact of the oral application of the extract on the electrical activity of the brain was investigated in freely moving rats. It was found to influence brain activity and to have stimulating properties. Neuravena seems to activate the dopaminergic transmitter system, which is implicated in cognitive functioning and motivation and is related to depression. In the study model, the extract approached the results obtained from drugs used to treat dementia.
Results of placebo controlled behavioural tests in rats concluded that Neuravena improves general learning performance and speed of learning. Additionally, it has been proven to ameliorate stress coping abilities and increase alertness.
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