Altered molecular pathways are partly responsible for neurodegeneration typical of Alzheimer’s Disease. A compound extracted from the leaves and bark of an African tree – the Voacanga Africana, has been used in folk medicine for centuries, and scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies (Califoenia, USA) identified that extracts of Voacanga africana performed exceptionally on assays (human and mouse cells) that tested the effects against neurodegeneration. Voacanga Africana extract was effective at protecting cells against oxidative stress, showed anti-inflammatory properties, was capable of blocking the build-up in brain neurons of beta-amyloid peptides characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. The study authors report that: “Our study identifies the alkaloid voacamine as a major compound in Voacanga africana with potent neuroprotective activities in these assays.”
Compound from African Tree May Protect the Brain
The leaves and bark of the Voacanga africana tree may hold potential to ward off Alzheimeru2019s Disease.
Antonio Currais, Chandramouli Chiruta, Marie Goujon-Svrzic, Gustavo Costa, Tania Santos, et al. “Screening and identification of neuroprotective compounds relevant to Alzheimer׳s disease from medicinal plants of S. Tome e Príncipe.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 155, Issue 1, 8 August 2014, Pages 830–840.
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