Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years for its multiple health properties, including diuretic, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects. Researchers from the Japanese universities and from the company Amino-Up Co., based in Hokkaido, have discovered new properties of this plant, developed then in order to create an exclusive ingredient, ETAS®.

ETAS® is an asparagus extract obtained from the lower part of the asparagus stems through a specific extraction procedure that shows clinically proven benefits, such as: alleviates the effects of stress by modulating cortisol levels in the blood, improves the quality of sleep, supports a good humoral state, cognitive functions and memory. The bioactive molecule of ETAS® has been identified in hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a fructose derivative.

The beneficial effects of ETAS® derive mainly from its ability to induce the expression of an important stress response protein: the Heat Shock Protein 70. HSPs are also called “stress proteins”, since their expression is induced by physical , chemical and biological stress, but also from psychological stress. HSPs help to protect our cells from the deleterious effects of stress and play a crucial role in the negative feedback system that controls cortisol levels.

Sleep disorders are commonly associated with stress and have a serious impact on the quality of life. A published clinical study has shown that taking ETAS® can improve the quality of sleep in people with low sleep efficiency or excessive sleep time. It is believed that ETAS® can regulate the REM and the non-REM deep sleep phase, leading to a better quality and quantity of night rest.

Not least, in the central nervous system the induction of HSP exerts a protective effect in pathological situations, such as neurological lesions or neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease). Two in vitro studies have shown that ETAS® is able to protect neuronal cells from chemical stress and damages derived from beta-amyloid peptide. These neuroprotective effects may be mediated by the induction of HSP, but may also result from a direct antioxidant activity, since HMF owns a natural scavenging activity of free radicals.

In line with its neuroprotective effect, ETAS® administered to healthy subjects in stressful conditions, led to an improvement in the psychological and cognitive score (increase in the number of correct responses to functional tests, improvement in the feeling of fatigue and in general mood ). These data confirm the potential of ETAS® as a support for cognitive function and mood modulation, in people suffering from fatigue, excessive stress or age-related impairments. The dosage, with clinically validated efficacy, is 100 mg / day and the effects are already evident after 7 days of treatment.

ETAS® is distributed in Italy by Aethra, business unit of Deimos Group.

Article published by Aethra in Alimenti Funzionali magazine, June 2019, n° 30.