Effects of Ashwagandha (roots of Withania somnifera) on neurodegenerative diseases.
- Kuboyama T, Tohda C and Komatsu K (2014).
- Biol Pharm Bull.
- PubMed:
- 24882401
This study looked at the protective effect of extracts from Aloysia triphylla, a type of herb, against lipid-peroxidation in the brain. They found that the extracts had a strong inhibition of lipid-peroxidation and exhibited free radical trapping ability. Additionally, the extracts showed antioxidant activity and could act as strong scavengers of reactive oxygen species. These results suggest that Aloysia triphylla could be used as a therapeutic agent for diseases where oxidative stress and lipid-peroxidation contribute to damage. Essentially, this study shows that herbs like Aloysia triphylla can be a great source of dietary antioxidants.
Researchers analyzed the essential oils obtained from Geranium purpureum and G. phaeum through hydrodistillation. They identified 154 constituents, mostly fatty acids and fatty-acid-derived compounds, with hexadecanoic acid and (E)-phytol as the major components. They assessed the chemotaxonomic significance of the variations in essential oil production and composition of Geranium and closely related Erodium taxa from Serbia and Macedonia. The study confirmed the close phylogenetic relationship between the investigated Geranium and Erodium taxa and found evidence supporting the correlation between oil yield and oil composition.
Researchers evaluated the roots of Berberis aetnensis C. Presl. and Berberis libanotica Ehrenb. ex C.K. Schneid. for their potential use in treating Alzheimer's disease. They tested the roots for anticholinesterase and antioxidant properties. This is the first study to evaluate these plants for these properties. The results indicated that both plants could be useful in the treatment of AD. This study highlights the potential of natural compounds in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
This study explored the potential of using a plant extract from Marsilea quadrifolia Linn. to treat epilepsy in rats. Two different models of induced epilepsy were used to test the extract's effectiveness: maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Results showed that the extract had significant anti-epileptic effects in both models. This suggests that MQ extract has potential as a new treatment for epilepsy.
A study evaluated the effects of an extract from Sida cordifolia plant and its different fractions on rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease (PD) in rats. Biochemical and neurochemical changes were assessed in different brain regions, along with behavioral and histopathological evaluations. The most significant improvements were observed in the group treated with the aqueous fraction of the extract (AFSC). This fraction showed antioxidative properties, attenuating oxidative damage, eosinophilic lesions, and dopamine level decrease induced by rotenone. The study suggests the potential therapeutic use of AFSC in PD treatment due to its antioxidative actions.