Venetron Rafuma Leaf Extract
Also known as: Rafuma leaf extract, Venetron®, Apocynum venetum L., Apocynum venetum
Overview
Venetron Rafuma Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of Apocynum venetum, a plant traditionally used in East Asian medicine for relaxation, anxiety reduction, and sleep improvement. It is commonly standardized and marketed as Venetron®. The extract is primarily used as a natural sleep aid and anxiolytic, with additional applications in mood support and stress reduction. Research on Venetron® is relatively mature, with several recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and mechanistic studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Evidence quality ranges from well-conducted RCTs to mechanistic in vitro and in vivo studies, with at least one large-scale clinical trial and a systematic evaluation of its receptor interactions. It is a botanical supplement and herbal extract primarily used for sleep, anxiety, and mood support.
Benefits
Venetron® offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily in sleep improvement, anxiety reduction, and mood enhancement. For sleep, it significantly reduces sleep latency and increases non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep duration without causing next-day grogginess. A clinical trial showed 50 mg before bedtime increased deep sleep time compared to placebo, indicating strong evidence for its efficacy as a sleep aid. In anxiety and stress reduction, a large U.S. RCT (n=370) demonstrated that 50 mg/day for 6 weeks significantly improved anxiety and perceived stress scores, achieving minimal clinically important differences (MCID) compared to placebo, providing high-quality evidence. For mood enhancement, an 8-week study in individuals with mild depression found about 50% of Venetron® users had major mood improvements, with 60% achieving normal mood scores. Additionally, animal studies suggest neuroprotective and antidepressant potential by reducing neuronal apoptosis and modulating proteins related to depression (e.g., Bcl-2, Bax, BDNF).
How it works
Venetron® primarily acts by modulating the GABA₊ receptor benzodiazepine (BZD) binding site, which enhances inhibitory neurotransmission. This action promotes sleep and reduces anxiety. In vitro binding assays and in silico molecular docking have confirmed its high affinity for the BZD site on GABA₊ receptors. The hypnotic effects of Venetron® are blocked by flumazenil, a BZD antagonist, further confirming this mechanism. Importantly, the extract does not impair delta activity during sleep, indicating it preserves sleep quality. Additional neuroprotective effects, contributing to mood benefits, may arise from its modulation of apoptosis-related proteins and neurotrophic factors like Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and CREB.
Side effects
Venetron® is generally well tolerated with a wide safety margin. Clinical studies have shown no serious adverse effects even at doses up to 150 mg/day (three times the typical dose) for 4 weeks. No withdrawal symptoms or tolerance have been observed with chronic use in animal models, suggesting a favorable long-term safety profile, though human long-term studies are limited. Currently, there are no significant drug interactions or contraindications reported in the literature. Common side effects are minimal or absent based on current clinical data. While generally safe, individuals should consult a healthcare professional before combining Venetron® with other sleep aids or medications, as clinical safety of such combinations needs further confirmation.
Dosage
The minimum effective dose for Venetron® is 50 mg per day, typically administered before bedtime to align with its sleep-promoting effects. The optimal dose range is considered to be 50–150 mg per day. Higher doses, up to 150 mg/day, have been tested safely in short-term studies (up to 4 weeks) without adverse effects. However, long-term safety beyond this dose requires further study. For sleep improvements, benefits can be acute, appearing within days, while mood benefits may require several weeks of consistent use. It is crucial to use a standardized extract, such as Venetron®, as quality and standardization are important for ensuring efficacy and consistent results.
FAQs
Is Venetron® safe for long-term use?
Current data support short- to medium-term safety (up to 8 weeks). While long-term human studies are limited, animal models show no withdrawal or tolerance, suggesting potential for extended use.
Does it cause next-day drowsiness?
No significant next-day grogginess has been reported in clinical studies. Venetron® improves sleep quality without impairing alertness the following day.
Can it be combined with other sleep aids?
One study indicated additive effects when combined with GABA. However, clinical safety of combining Venetron® with other sleep aids should be confirmed with a healthcare professional.
How soon do benefits appear?
Sleep improvements can be noticed acutely, often within days of starting supplementation. Mood benefits, however, may require several weeks of consistent use to become apparent.
Research Sources
- https://sip2sleep.com/blogs/news/rafuma-leaf-extract-for-sleep-what-you-need-to-know – This source provides a summary of clinical trials related to Rafuma leaf extract, indicating that a 50 mg dose improves deep sleep, mood, and stress, and is safe up to 150 mg. While useful for an overview, it is a secondary source and emphasizes the need for verification from primary research.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40409574/ – This PubMed entry likely refers to a mechanistic study (Wang et al., 2025) that used animal models and in vitro methods. It suggests Venetron® reduces sleep latency and increases NREM sleep by acting on the GABA₊ BZD site, with no observed withdrawal symptoms. This provides strong mechanistic evidence, though human clinical data are still needed for direct translation.
- https://www.maypro.com/blogs/press/large-u-s-clinical-trial-finds-venetron%C2%AE-effective-for-sleep-and-stress-management-in-anxious-adults – This source describes a large, double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT involving 370 adults with anxiety. The study found that Venetron® (50 mg/day) significantly improved sleep quality, reduced anxiety, and decreased stress over 6 weeks, achieving clinically meaningful differences. This is a high-quality RCT supporting the efficacy of Venetron®.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5822797/ – This PMC article details an animal study (Wu et al., 2018) using a CUMS depression model in rats. It demonstrated that Apocynum venetum leaf extract reduces neuronal apoptosis, improves depressive behaviors, and modulates key proteins like Bcl-2, Bax, and BDNF. This preclinical evidence supports the potential antidepressant mechanisms of the extract.
- https://ouci.dntb.gov.ua/en/works/7Xaa0r5Z/ – This URL appears to be a general database entry and does not provide specific research findings relevant to Venetron®'s effects or mechanisms. It is not directly summarized for its contribution to the understanding of the supplement's properties.
