Ayurveda Offers New Possibilities for Alzheimer's Disease, New Research Suggests
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Synopsis
A recent study by Bose Institute researchers indicates that Ayurveda could be a new avenue for Alzheimer's treatment, utilizing both traditional and modern methods to combat amyloid beta aggregation.
Key Takeaways
- Ayurveda shows potential in treating Alzheimer's.
- Research focuses on amyloid protein aggregation.
- Lasunadya Ghrita exhibits efficacy against amyloid beta.
- Natural compounds outperform chemically synthesized peptides.
- Study highlights novel approaches in neurodegenerative disease treatment.
New Delhi, Jan 17 (NationPress) Researchers at the Bose Institute in Kolkata, which operates under the Department of Science and Technology, have revealed that Ayurveda may offer a promising avenue for addressing Alzheimer's Disease.
The research team, spearheaded by Professor Anirban Bhunia, utilized two unique approaches to target amyloid proteins and peptides, which are critical in various neurodegenerative conditions, notably Alzheimer's.
The initial method involved employing chemically synthesized peptides to inhibit the aggregation of amyloid beta.
Subsequently, they turned to a traditional Ayurvedic medicine known as Lasunadya Ghrita (LG).
This ancient Indian medicinal practice has previously shown potential in treating mental health disorders related to depression.
The non-toxic elements of LG and their derivatives were analyzed and adapted to combat the aggregation of amyloid beta 40/42.
According to the researchers at Bose Institute, "The aqueous extract of these substances, termed LGWE, not only interrupted the fibrillation process during its elongation phase but also impeded the formation of oligomers in the early stages of the fibrillation pathway."
Moreover, these compounds exhibited superior efficacy in fragmenting amyloid aggregates into smaller, non-toxic molecules compared to the chemically synthesized peptides, indicating their innovative role in disrupting amyloid-prone proteins.
These chemically synthesized peptides are described as non-toxic, serum-stable, and effective in both inhibiting and disaggregating amyloid proteins, as noted by Professor Bhunia and his colleagues from the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP) Kolkata and IIT-Guwahati, in their publication in the journal Biochemistry (ACS).
Additionally, Ayurvedic experts from the State Ayurvedic College and Hospital at Lucknow University, alongside other researchers from SINP, showcased how natural compounds can more effectively enhance the inhibition and breakdown of amyloid beta than their chemically synthesized counterparts.
This research underscores the potential of Ayurveda as a promising approach to tackling complex neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
