14 DAY TRIAL // A simple plant compound might hold the key to slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s, maybe even halt the onset of this neurodegenerative disease, a scientist with the Michigan State University in the US argues in a recent report in the journal Phytotherapy Research.
The compound is named withanamides. Having researched its properties, specialist Muraleedharan Nair and colleagues are now ready to move to testing its effectiveness in a series of clinical trials.
It is understood that these clinical trials will be carried out by Natural Therapeutics, a company started by the Michigan State University researcher himself. Since the science work is done, all that is missing for the tests to begin is for the specialist to acquire the necessary funding.
What's so special about this compound?
In his paper in the journal Phytotherapy Research, the scientist explains that the compound is naturally occurring in the seeds of a plant dubbed withania somnifera. The plant, chiefly found in dry regions in India, also goes by the name of ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry or winter cherry.
Experiments carried out in laboratory conditions have shown that withanamides is a surprisingly potent antioxidant and can even protect cells against the effects of a protein associated with Alzheimer’s.
Researcher Muraleedharan Nair says that, when this one protein begins to disintegrate in the body, it produces a fragment that, in turn, damages cells. Specifically, the fragment harms the cells' membrane, allows for plaque formation and even kills tissues.
In the case of Alzheimer’s patients in the early stages of this disease, the negative effects of this protein and the harmful fragment it produces correlate with the onset of damage to the brain's frontal lobe.
The Michigan State University specialist says that, according to evidence at hand, withanamides has the potential to keep the protein from damaging cells. In doing so, the compound could prove a worthy ally in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
“Our compound keeps the bad protein from entering the cell where it does its damage. Our studies have shown that withanamides effectively protects brain cells,” the scientist explains.
What the compound is expected to do
Researcher Muraleedharan Nair is confident that, during the clinical trials he hopes to very soon debut, he will manage to prove that the plant compound can not only slow the progression of Alzheimer’s but also halt the onset of this neurodegenerative disease.
The clinical trials should be completed in about 6 to 12 months after they begin. Should the tests prove successful, the scientist and his colleagues will ask that the US Food and Drug Administration give the green light to administering withanamides to Alzheimer’s sufferers.
