Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 1 in 9 adults (10.7%) over the age of 65 years (Alzheimer’s Association). Oxidative stress and the progressive loss of cholinergic neurons, which produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, are thought to be a major cause of memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. For this reason, current treatments include efforts to increase levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Medications known as cholinesterase inhibitors help treat memory loss by preventing the breakdown of this important neurotransmitter by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (Chen et al., 2022).
In a new study presented at the 2023 American Physiology Summit this past spring, researchers explored whether a leaf extract from a medicinal plant, Phyllantus amarus, could help treat Alzheimer’s Disease (Inneh and Enogieru, 2023). This plant is used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine and various extracts have been shown in laboratory studies to have antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diarrheal, anti-ulcer, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and pain reducing properties (Patel et al., 2011).
When the researchers treated Drosophila melanogaster with Phyllantus amarus leaf extract, they found that the plant reduced symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease as it increased longevity, locomotion, and antioxidants along with reducing levels of acetylcholinesterase (Inneh and Enogieru, 2023). While these results are encouraging, additional research is required to evaluate its efficacy and safety in treating Alzheimer’s disease in humans as studies suggest that some preparations of this medicinal plant can have adverse effects (Patel et al., 2011).
Sources:
Z-R Chen, J-B Huang, S-L Yang, F-F Hong. Role of cholinergic signaling in Alzheimer’s disease. Molecules. 27(6): 1816, 2022.
C Inneh, A Enogieru. Anticholinesterase and antioxidant potential of aqueous leave extract of Phyllantus amarus in aluminium chloride-induced Alzheimer’s Disease in Drosophila melanogaster. 2023 American Physiology Summit Abstracts. Physiology. 38(S1), 2023.
JR Patel, P Tripathi, V Sharma, SN Chauhan, VK Dixit. Phyllanthus amarus: Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology: A review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 138: 286-313, 2011.
Categories: Intelligence and Neuroscience
Tags: Alzheimer's disease, American Physiological Society, American Physiology Summit, Phyllantus amarus
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