A plant has been found to help cure Alzheimer's disease
Researchers have found that a substance found in hydrangea leaves may be an effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease.A new study has found that a substance extracted from the leaves of the hydrangea plant may be effective in combating protein plaques. These are thought to contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
The substance in question is phyllodulcin, which is found in hydrangea macrophylla. Dried hydrangea leaves are commonly used in Asian countries to make medicinal tea, and phyllodulcin is known as a powerful natural sweetener. It is 400-800 times sweeter than sucrose. In addition, recent studies have shown that phyllodulcin can cross the blood-brain barrier and inhibit amyloid beta protein aggregation in the brain.
To test their hypothesis, the researchers used mice. They were genetically modified to develop amyloid plaques that model AD. They gave the mice phyllodulcin or a control substance orally once every three days for a month. The scientists then tested the animals' learning and memory before analyzing their brain tissue.
Phyllodulcin was found to inhibit amyloid beta aggregation and disrupted existing aggregations. The researchers also found that the extract reduced neurotoxicity associated with beta-amyloids and reduced memory impairment.
"Our study is the first to report that phyllodulcin may alter the underlying pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, suggesting the possibility of preventing dementia or delaying disease progression," the researchers wrote.
The study is published in the journal Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy.