University of Malta
Chemicals extracted from the prickly pear and brown seaweed, two
ubiquitous Mediterranean plants, eased symptoms in organisms suffering from
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, according to new research.
Small molecules
from the plants interfere with the build-up of sticky protein clumps rendering
them less toxic to neurons. The results of the study hold promise for
ground-breaking treatment of age-related diseases.
The Mediterranean is a haven for lovers of crystal-clear seas
and sun-kissed landscapes. Now, thanks to the work of scientists from the
University of Malta and the Centre National de la Recherche
Scientifique (CNRS/University of Bordeaux), it has the added appeal of
being an actual fountain of youth.
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are classic age-related disorders characterised by the accumulation of sticky protein clumps that over time damage the nervous system to erode mobility or memory.
The human suffering they cause, as well as the strain on
healthcare, are enormous. But there is hope on the horizon.
Chemicals extracted from the prickly pear and brown seaweed, two
ubiquitous Mediterranean plants, have been elevated to possible drug candidates
to combat the neurodegenerative diseases.
'We have long been screening plants scattered across the
Mediterranean for small molecules that interfere with the build-up of toxic
protein aggregates. The robust effects of chemicals derived from the prickly
pear and brown seaweed confirm that our search has certainly not been in vain,'
said study co-author Neville Vassallo, MD, PhD, professor of molecular
physiology at the University of Malta School of Medicine and Surgery.
The research team began by running tests to determine the effect
of the plant extracts on brewer's yeast brimming with beta-amyloid clumps, a
hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Following exposure to the chemicals, the
yeast's health improved dramatically, a result that encouraged the researchers
to evaluate the molecules on fruit flies which had been genetically modified to
develop Alzheimer's symptoms.
On regular treatment with seaweed extract, the median lifespan
of diseased flies was prolonged by two days. A greater four-day extension was
observed when prickly pear extract was administered.
Considering that one day in the life of a fruit fly is
equivalent to around one year in humans, the results are dramatic.
Interestingly, the mobility of sick flies was improved by about 18% after
treatment, highlighting a significant improvement.
Scientists also discovered that the substances prolonged the
lifespan of flies with brains overloaded with alpha-synuclein, a gummy protein
implicated in Parkinson's disease, hence, underscoring an effect on
neurodegenerative mechanisms shared by both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
disease.
To this end, they found that the plant-derived molecules
interfered with the build-up of both beta-amyloid and alpha-synuclein proteins
to generate clumps that are less toxic to neurons. The study is reported in the
January issue of the journal Neuroscience Letters.
Lead study author Ruben J. Cauchi, PhD, a faculty member at the
Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking of the University of Malta,
remarked: 'We believe that the discovery of bioactive agents that target
pathways that are hit by multiple neurodegenerative conditions is the most
viable approach in our current fight against brain disorders. A clear advantage
of the drugs used in this study is that, in view of their excellent safety
profile, they are already on the market as nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals'.
Right now, the research team is working closely with the company
that extracts the magic molecules, the Institute of Cellular Pharmacology, to
make the most of the discovery. If the findings hold in clinical trials, the
Mediterranean is set to become a source for the 'elixir of life'.