THE NUTRITIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC IMPORTANCE OF AVENA SATIVA - AN OVERVIEW
Avena sativa is a rich source of protein, minerals, lipids, β-glucan, avenanthramides, indole alkaloid, flavonoids, triterpenoidsaponins, lipids and sterols. It exerted many pharmacological effects including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, dermatological, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, gastrointestinal, hypolipidemic, neurol ogical, cardiovascular and many other biological activities. This paper will highlight its chemical constituents and potential therapeutic effect.