Avenanthramide - Anti-inflammatory and Anti-itch Properties

Anti-inflammatory and Anti-itch Properties

Ancient literature describes the anti-inflammatory and antipruritic properties of oatmeal. In 1978 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) external review panel noted that colloidal oatmeal was safe and effective for the symptomatic relief of dry skin and itching.

Recent studies were conducted to verify whether avenanthramides are also responsible for the antipruritic activity of oat extracts. The results of human in vivo skin prick tests combined with an in vitro model, investigating the inhibitory activity of avenanthramides on the histamine net release from rat peritoneal mast cells stimulated by substance P showed a clear indication that avenanthramides found in oat extract play a major role in the reduction of itching and redness in skin. Because of the fundamental role of histamine in itch sensation, these results can be considered as a clear indication that oat extracts with a standardized content of avenanthramides are useful materials to reduce histamine related itch sensation and redness in skin.

Most recently, extracts containing avenanthramides have been used in veterinary medicine in various topical forms, such as shampoos, sprays and ear cleansing solutions, by AvenaPro Pet Solutions for the relief of companion animals exhibiting adverse skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis.