Constituents and Metabolites of a French Oak Wood Extract (Robuvit®) in Serum and Blood Cell Samples of Women Undergoing Hysterectomy

Abstract

Ellagitannins are signature constituents of oak wood and their consumption has been associated with various health benefits. In vivo, they undergo metabolic degradation including gut microbial metabolism yielding urolithins. Only limited data is available about compounds being present in blood after intake of an extract from French oak wood, Robuvit ®. In the course of a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical investigation, 66 patients undergoing hysterectomy received placebo or 300 mg Robuvit ® per day before and over 8 weeks after surgery. Serum and blood cell samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The number of urolithin producers and the urolithin levels increased after intake of Robuvit ®. In serum samples, the median concentration of urolithin A was 14.0 ng/ml [interquartile range (IQR) 57.4] after 8 weeks. Urolithin B was determined at 22.3 ng/ml (IQR 12.6), urolithin C at 2.66 ng/ml (IQR 2.08). In blood cells, lower concentrations and only urolithins A and B were detected. A statistically significant association of lower postsurgical pain scores with metabotype A was detected (p < 0.05). To conclude, supplementation with French oak wood extract raised urolithin generation in patients and suggested health advantages for urolithin-producers.

The Oak–Wood Extract Robuvit® Improves Recovery and Oxidative Stress after Hysterectomy: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

“…Another limitation is that we did not control the dietary habits and treatment of patients after hysterectomy with antibiotics. This could influence the formation of different metabolites of Robuvit with different biological activities by different bacterial flora in individual patients [60]. To conclude, supplementation with Robuvit for 4 weeks improved convalescence of patients following hysterectomy, probably through its antioxidant activity as well as by the inhibiting of MMP-9 activity.…”

Review of Clinical Effects and Presumed Mechanism of Action of the French Oak Wood Extract Robuvit

“… 9 In a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical study, the effect of Robuvit supplementation on patients undergoing hysterectomy was investigated. 5 Interestingly, the urolithin levels in patients consistently increased over 8 weeks of Robuvit supplementation, which suggests that a chronic intake of Robuvit can induce or amplify the gut bacteria responsible for the urolithin production, leading to an increase in the number of urolithin producers ( Fig. 3 ).…”

“…The reported improved mitochondria regeneration, enhanced ribosomal biogenesis, increased muscle mass, and the elevated antioxidant capacity caused by urolithins give a rational basis for the results of clinical trials with Robuvit, which was shown to accelerate overall energy. 8,[22][23][24] Decreased fatigue symptoms 22,23 and better sleep, 16,23,27 faster recovery after disease 7,[10][11][12]17,19,26 or surgery, 5,14 improved mood, 8,16,27 enhanced erectile function, 22,24 reinforced antioxidant defense mechanisms in periods of stress, 18 or enhanced muscle mass gain after intense exercise 6 are the effects that have been described in diverse clinical studies (Fig. 5).…”

“…In the middle , urolithin B concentrations are given and the right provides the urolithin C amounts in the blood serum. Data from Volpp et al 5 …”

“… 4 Conveying benefits of this esteemed oak to humans led to the introduction of Robuvit ® standardized French oak wood extract to the market in 2014, manufactured by Horphag Research. To structure and summarize the numerous health benefits of this dietary supplement, evidenced by clinical trials, 5–28 is the main topic of this review. Its composition, bioavailability, and safety aspects will also be discussed, along with plausible mechanisms of action.…”