A standardized extract of Greek Mountain Tea Concental​ positively modulates neurotransmitters: New evidence for cognitive performance improvements

Greek Mountain Tea (Sideritis scardica Griseb.) belongs to the Lamiaceae family and it is traditionally consumed as tea in the Balkans as a gastroprotective and to relieve common colds [1].

Finzelberg introduced a hydroethanolic extract from Greek Mountain Tea (Concental​) for the improvement of cognitive performance. Actual research has revealed that dietary consumption of the standardised extract of Greek Mountain Tea as a polyphenol-containing supplement significantly improves cognitive capabilities and mood and increases cerebral blood flow [2]. Further investigations have demonstrated its potential to inhibit or delay the senescence process related neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease [3].

The multilevel positive effect on the body appears to originate from the abundant occurrence of phenolic compounds in Greek Mountain Tea extracts, as p.e., acteoside, which is a phenylpropanoid with several biological activities and health benefits such as neuroprotective effects via antioxidant action against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species [4].

The present work aimed to explore the activities of acteoside, a phytochemical present in Greek Mountain Tea extract in comparison to the extract itself. Moreover, uptake and binding assays were performed to observe some effects on different neurotransmitters like noradrenaline and serotonin and GABA-A site binding.

The results revealed that Greek Mountain Tea extract showed a higher re-uptake inhibition of several nerotransmitters compared to the biomarker acteoside ([Table 1]).

Table 1 Inhibition of neurotransmitters uptake and GABA-A site binding by Greek Mountain Tea extract and Acetoside.

These data confirm that Acteoside should be considered as one active biomarker in standardised extracts of Greek Mountain Tea. Moreover, it demonstrates the relevance of botanical extracts in health care.

 

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
16. November 2023