Natural Compounds and Plant Extracts as Therapeutics Against Chronic Inflammation in Alzheimer’s Disease – A Translational Perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1175-1191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadine Apetz ◽  
Gerald Munch ◽  
Suresh Govindaraghavan ◽  
Erika Gyengesi
Author(s):  
Georgiana Uță ◽  
Denisa Ștefania Manolescu ◽  
Speranța Avram

Background.: Currently, the pharmacological management in Alzheimer's disease is based on several chemical structures, represented by acetylcholinesterase and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor ligands, with still unclear molecular mechanisms, but severe side effects. For this reason, a challenge for Alzheimer's disease treatment remains to identify new drugs with reduced side effects. Recently, the natural compounds, in particular certain chemical compounds identified in the essential oil of peppermint, sage, grapes, sea buckthorn, have increased interest as possible therapeutics. Objectives.: In this paper, we have summarized data from the recent literature, on several chemical compounds extracted from Salvia officinalis L., with therapeutic potential in Alzheimer's disease. Methods.: In addition to the wide range of experimental methods performed in vivo and in vitro, also we presented some in silico studies of medicinal compounds. Results. Through this mini-review, we present the latest information regarding the therapeutic characteristics of natural compounds isolated from Salvia officinalis L. in Alzheimer's disease. Conclusion.: Thus, based on the information presented, we can say that phytotherapy is a reliable therapeutic method in a neurodegenerative disease.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1007-1017 ◽  
Author(s):  
James G. McLarnon

A combinatorial cocktail approach is suggested as a rationale intervention to attenuate chronic inflammation and confer neuroprotection in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The requirement for an assemblage of pharmacological compounds follows from the host of pro-inflammatory pathways and mechanisms present in activated microglia in the disease process. This article suggests a starting point using four compounds which present some differential in anti-inflammatory targets and actions but a commonality in showing a finite permeability through Blood-brain Barrier (BBB). A basis for firstchoice compounds demonstrated neuroprotection in animal models (thalidomide and minocycline), clinical trial data showing some slowing in the progression of pathology in AD brain (ibuprofen) and indirect evidence for putative efficacy in blocking oxidative damage and chemotactic response mediated by activated microglia (dapsone). It is emphasized that a number of candidate compounds, other than ones suggested here, could be considered as components of the cocktail approach and would be expected to be examined in subsequent work. In this case, systematic testing in AD animal models is required to rigorously examine the efficacy of first-choice compounds and replace ones showing weaker effects. This protocol represents a practical approach to optimize the reduction of microglial-mediated chronic inflammation in AD pathology. Subsequent work would incorporate the anti-inflammatory cocktail delivery as an adjunctive treatment with ones independent of inflammation as an overall preventive strategy to slow the progression of AD.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 418-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioana-Miruna Balmus ◽  
Alin Ciobica

Alzheimer’s disease leads to progressive cognitive function loss, which may impair both intellectual capacities and psychosocial aspects. Although the current knowledge points to a multifactorial character of Alzheimer’s disease, the most issued pathological hypothesis remains the cholinergic theory. The main animal model used in cholinergic theory research is the scopolamine-induced memory loss model. Although, in some cases, a temporary symptomatic relief can be obtained through targeting the cholinergic or glutamatergic neurotransmitter systems, no current treatment is able to stop or slow cognitive impairment. Many potentially successful therapies are often blocked by the blood–brain barrier since it exhibits permeability only for several classes of active molecules. However, the plant extracts’ active molecules are extremely diverse and heterogeneous regarding the biochemical structure. In this way, many active compounds constituting the recently tested plant extracts may exhibit the same general effect on acetylcholine pathway, but on different molecular ground, which can be successfully used in Alzheimer’s disease adjuvant therapy.


Author(s):  
Lucie Cahlíková ◽  
Kateřina Macáková ◽  
Nina Benešová ◽  
Jakub Chlebek ◽  
Anna Hošťálková ◽  
...  

Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Amato ◽  
Simona Terzo ◽  
Flavia Mulè

The positive role of nutrition in chronic neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) suggests that dietary interventions represent helpful tools for preventing NDs. In particular, diets enriched with natural compounds have become an increasingly attractive, non-invasive, and inexpensive option to support a healthy brain and to potentially treat NDs. Bioactive compounds found in vegetables or microalgae possess special properties able to counteract oxidative stress, which is involved as a triggering factor in neurodegeneration. Here, we briefly review the relevant experimental data on curcuminoids, silymarin, chlorogenic acid, and compounds derived from the microalga Aphanizomenon flos aquae (AFA) which have been demonstrated to possess encouraging beneficial effects on neurodegeneration, in particular on Alzheimer’s disease models.


2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piet Eikelenboom ◽  
Jeroen JM Hoozemans ◽  
Rob Veerhuis ◽  
Eric van Exel ◽  
Annemieke JM Rozemuller ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S544-S544
Author(s):  
N. Kokras ◽  
M. Dimitriadou ◽  
I. Sotiropoulos ◽  
A.L. Skaltsounis ◽  
A. Tsarbopoulos ◽  
...  

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative neuropsychiatric disorder, is often comorbid with depression and anxiety. Neuropsychiatric disorders are also characterized by sex differences. However, most preclinical pharmacological studies are conducted using only males. Herein, we used male and female twelve-month-old mice (3xTg) expressing mutated forms of human proteins Tau, APP and Presenilin1. These mice are considered a valid animal model of AD. We investigated the effects of the natural compound trans-crocin-4 (TC-4), which is derived from Crocus sativus and the olive compound oleuropein on the cognitive, depressive and anxious profile of 3xTg mice. We found that male and female 3xTg mice exhibited reduced locomotor activity and oleuropeine treatment (100 mg/kg i.p., for 21 days) did not reverse this phenotype. In addition, anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors were not affected by genotype, sex or oleuropeine treatment. Interestingly, oleuropeine exhibited a tendency to enhance cognitive performance in male 3xTg mice. Treatment with TC-4 (50 and 150 mg/kg, i.p., acutely or chronically for 10 days) affected locomotor activity in a sex-differentiated manner. Interestingly, acute TC-4 clearly enhanced cognitive performance in all groups although it reduced center entries in the open field. Additionally, chronic TC-4 treatment enhanced novel object discrimination mainly in male 3xTg mice. Our findings highlight the potential of those natural compounds, which warrant further investigation but also emphasize the benefits of including both males and females in preclinical pharmacological studies.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


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