In popular medicine, green oat herb (Avena sativa L.) preparations have been traditionally used to boost mental health since the Middle
Ages. As reported by the Commission E, in Europe preparations from the oat herb are
used as a nervous system restorative for acute and chronic anxiety and tension, stress
and excitation, as well as neurasthenia, although the effectiveness for the claimed
applications is not documented.
The genetic and phenotypic variability of a plant, as well as the extraction and extract
refining technology used for the development of the multicomponent botanical extract,
are critical to maximize the health benefits and minimize the side-effects of the
final product.
Therefore, we developed a special extract (EFLA®955 Wild Green Oat Neuravena) on the
basis of a bioassay-guided approach. According to this procedure, the activity and
safety profile of the plant, from the raw material to the ready-for-use extract, has
been tested by means of specific in-vitro test systems, making it possible to scientifically
support the traditional indications.
We have screened 36 accessions of Avena sativa L. in various CNS test systems and found a physiologically significant inhibitory
effect on monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) and phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE 4), two CNS enzymes
closely connected to mental health and cognitive function, in selected accessions.
Depending on the raw material and the extraction process used, dramatic activity differences
were observed.
We also present here additional results of the further characterisation of the final
extract for activity in a functional assay using a neuronal cell line and for safety
in in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies, supporting the efficiency of our rational
extract development method.
