3,5-dihydroxy-2,4-cyclohexadienones and their derivatives, dietary compositions and fortified food containing them and their uses
The present invention refers especially to 3,5-dihydroxy-2,4-cyclohexadienones of the general formula (I) wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently from each other C 1-6 -alkyl, C 2-6 -alkenyl or x-oxo-C x -alkyl with x being an integer from 1 to 6, preferably R 1 and R 2 are independently from each other C 2-6 -alkenyl or y-oxo-C y -alkyl with y being an integer from 2 to 5, and wherein R 3 and R 4 are independently from each other hydroxy, C 1-6 -alkyl, C 2-6 -alkenyl or x-oxo-C x -alkyl with x being an integer from 1 to 6, preferably R 3 and R 4 are independently from each other hydroxy or y-oxo-C y -alkyl with y being an integer from 2 to 5, for use as mood balancing agents and stress relievers, as well as to dietary compositions and fortified food/feed/beverages containing such 3,5-dihydroxy-2,4-cyclohexadienones of the general formula (I), and their uses.
1. A method of relieving stress in pets or farm animals in need thereof comprising administering a stress reducing amount of lupulone.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the animals are selected from the group consisting of cats, dogs, poultry, cattle, swine, goats, sheep, minks, foxes and hares.
3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the animals are subject to a stressful condition selected form the group consisting of separation, change or loss of the owner, holiday separation, husbandry in so-called “animal hotels”, husbandry in animal shelters, dense husbandry and breeding.
4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the lupulone is present in fortified food, in fortified feed, in fortified beverages or in dietary supplements.