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

Abstract

Since ancient times, oak wood polyphenols are consumed concomitantly with beverages that are stored and aged in oak wood barrels. Among these polyphenols are roburins, which belong to the class of ellagitannins and only occur in oak. To date, water-extracted standardized French Quercus robur wood extract, commercially known as Robuvit Ò , has been investigated in 1172 subjects in over 20 published clinical trials. The results of the clinical studies are consistent with reported effects of urolithins regarding increased mitophagy, pointing to enhanced energy capacity. The Robuvit metabolite urolithin A, B, and C levels and the number of urolithin producers were found to be increased after intake of the extract. Mitophagy is a process, which assigns energy inefficient mitochondria to disassembly, followed by reconstruction to new and more efficient replacements. This effect of Robuvit was observed in different study groups. Supplementation of Robuvit is ascribed to aid chronically fatigued or burnt-out individuals to regain higher energy and activity levels. Robuvit has been further shown to improve conditions such as renal insufficiency, liver insufficiency, mild heart failure, posttraumatic stress disorder and fatigue after surgery and facilitate recovery from mild health impairments such as flu or hangover. There are also indications that Robuvit helps improve erectile function and general loss of vigor in elderly men. Ex vivo gene expression experiments using metabolites collected from Robuvit consumers point to increased ribosomal biogenesis in endothelial, neuronal, and keratinocyte cells. Higher ribosome density accelerates the peptide production to meet protein demand, making Robuvit a potential enhancer of physical endurance and performance. A study with recreational athletes, supplemented with Robuvit daily, reported significantly increased performance in triathlon.

Potential Use of Quercus dalechampii Ten. and Q. frainetto Ten. Barks Extracts as Antimicrobial, Enzyme Inhibitory, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Agents

“…Besides the already proven bioactivities, oak bark extracts were intensively tested in last years for other potential health benefits; a positive impact against oxidative stress biomarkers and the improvement of fatigue syndrome were reported both in pre-clinical and clinical evaluation for Robuvit ® , a dietary supplement containing an Q. robur standardized extract (min. 40% phenolic compouns) [ 13 , 14 , 15 ], while for the bark extracts of the same species was observed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect tested in a larvae experimental model [ 16 ].…”