Protective effects of curcumin and Ginkgo biloba extract combination on a new model of Alzheimer's disease.

A study evaluated the effects of a combination of curcumin and Ginkgo biloba extract on Alzheimer's disease (AD). Results showed that the combination achieved higher levels of curcumin in the brain and plasma, compared to curcumin alone. The combination treatment reversed cognitive impairment induced by AD in rats, with a more pronounced effect on inhibiting various neurological markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The combination therapy might be an alternative therapy in the management/prevention of neurological disorders, and future research should focus on synergic effects of herbal drugs.

Assi AA et al (2023).

Inflammopharmacology.

DOI:

10.1007/s10787-023-01164-6

PubMed:

36856916

Papaver somniferum in seventeenth century (Italy): archaeotoxicological study on brain and bone samples in patients from a hospital in Milan.

Scientists analyzed preserved brain tissue and bone samples from 17th century patients of a Milan hospital. In a multidisciplinary study, toxicological and other analyses were performed on biological samples from nine individuals. Archeotoxicological testing showed the presence of opium-derived compounds, including codeine and morphine. The researchers concluded that Papaver somniferum, a plant used for its narcotic, analgesic, astringent, coagulant, and antitussive properties, was used in pharmacological therapies administered to patients. The study highlights treatments given to patients before their death and provides insight into medical practices in the 1600s.

Giordano G et al (2023).

Sci Rep.

DOI:

10.1038/s41598-023-27953-1

PubMed:

36854677

Effect of Natural Plant Products on Alzheimer's Disease.

Varshney H and Siddique YH (2024).

CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets.

DOI:

10.2174/1871527322666230228102223

PubMed:

36852809

Hypericum perforatum L. Nanoemulsion Mitigates Cisplatin-Induced Chemobrain via Reducing Neurobehavioral Alterations, Oxidative Stress, Neuroinflammation, and Apoptosis in Adult Rats.

A study investigated whether a medicinal plant, HP L., and its nanoemulsion could protect the brain from harmful effects of the chemotherapeutic agent, Cisplatin. HP.NE was tested on rats and showed that it improved motor activity and memory, increased antioxidant defense, reduced inflammation, and lowered brain levels of harmful molecules. HP.NE was found to be more effective at lessening oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in brain tissue than HP L. alone. These findings suggest that HP L. and its nanoemulsion could be useful in reducing neurotoxicity induced by chemotherapy.

Khalil HMA et al (2023).

Toxics.

DOI:

10.3390/toxics11020159

PubMed:

36851034

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of sesquiterpenoids isolated from Laggera pterodonta.

Li J et al (2023).

Front Plant Sci.

DOI:

10.3389/fpls.2023.1074184

PubMed:

36844064

Corrigendum: Bryophyllum pinnatum compounds inhibit oxytocin-induced signaling pathways in human myometrial cells.

Unfortunately, this abstract does not provide any information about the study or its findings as it only corrects the DOI of a previously published article. Without the original abstract or article, it is impossible to provide a summary for the general user.

Santos S et al (2023).

Front Pharmacol.

DOI:

10.3389/fphar.2023.1141346

PubMed:

36843937

Neuroprotective and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of alkaloids from Solanum lyratum Thunb.: An in vitro and in silico analyses.

Researchers extracted and isolated seven new alkaloids and 13 known alkaloids from the herb Solanum lyratum Thunb. They determined the structure of the new compounds and found that two of them, (-)-(7'S)-N-feruloyltyramine A and (+)-(7'R)-N-feruloyltyramine A, provided neuroprotective effects against cell damage and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects. The findings suggest that S. lyratum has potential as a source of new functional components for the pharmaceutical industry.

Chang Y et al (2023).

Phytochemistry.

DOI:

10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113623

PubMed:

36842735

Hydroxysafflor yellow a confers neuroprotection against acute traumatic brain injury by modulating neuronal autophagy to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasomes.

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) is a compound found in Carthamus tinctorius L. that has been shown to protect against neurological diseases, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). The methods and mechanisms behind HSYA's neuroprotective effects are not entirely understood.

Lai Z et al (2023).

J Ethnopharmacol.

DOI:

10.1016/j.jep.2023.116268

PubMed:

36842723