Botanical Studied for Ability to Protect the Brain

by CP Staff

Research has recently shown that the adaptogenic herb Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) may also play an important role in protecting the brain from the pathological processes seen with Alzheimer’s disease, which is characterized by dementia and behavioral changes. The pathology of Alzheimer’s disease includes deposition of beta-amyloid protein fragments in the brain as well as the development of neurofibrillary tangles due to the accumulation of tau proteins. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that approximately 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. Previous research has indicated that antioxidants may help delay the progression of this disease.

In this new study, investigators evaluated the effects of two of the antioxidant phytochemicals in ashwagandha in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers tested two bioactive constituents, withanamide A and withanamide C, on rat neurons with beta-amyloid-induced cell damage.

The results showed that the beta-amyloid-caused death of neurons was negated by treatment with the withanamides. In addition, the withanamides bound to the active portion of the beta amyloid, which suggests that these constituents may have the ability to prevent fibril formation seen in Alzheimer’s disease.

The study authors concluded, “Further understanding of the mechanism of action and in vivo efficacy of these withanamides may facilitate its development as a prophylaxis.”

Reference:

Jayaprakasam B, Padmanabhan K, Nair MG. Withanamides in Withania somnifera fruit protect PC-12 cells from beta-amyloid responsible for Alzheimer’s disease. Phytother Res. 2010 Jun;24(6):859-63.