Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death among the US population. Alzheimer’s is a multifactorial disease characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta, neuroinflammation, and elevated acetylcholinesterase activity. Alzheimer's affects an individual’s reading, thinking, remembering and reasoning abilities. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. There are medications available that temporarily improve cognitive abilities. This article will focus on the role of nutraceuticals in managing Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) are the most popular herbs reported to be effective in managing symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Ashwagandha is known for its neuroprotective effects. A study reported that ashwagandha supplementation enhanced cholinergic balance and reduced hippocampus neuronal inflammation induced by microwave radiation in a mice model. Additionally, a significant reduction in oxidative stress markers was observed post-ashwagandha supplementation1. A similar study reported the neuroprotective and cognition-enhancing effects of W. somnifera extract in Wistar rats. Ashwagandha supplementation reduced dieldrin-mediated oxidative stress as measured by reduced malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels in the brain2.
A separate study reported the effect of Bacopa monnieri in enhancing cognition in rats. Bacopa extract was observed to improve the escape latency time in the Alzheimer’s disease model3. B. monnieri was reported to show anti-Alzheimer activity in rat models as evidenced by restoration of Bax/Bcl-2 imbalance, reduced cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration4. Another study reported the effect of Bacopa extract in reducing Tau protein aggregation in vitro, which is otherwise elevated in Alzheimer’s5.
It is clear from the above scientific evidence that nutraceuticals (Withania somnifera and Bacopa monnieri) possess neuroprotective and cognition-enhancing potential. This could be of potential benefit to Alzheimer’s patients.
References
(1) Gupta, V.; Srivastava, R. Ashwagandha Diminishes Hippocampal Apoptosis Induced by Microwave Radiation by Acetylcholinesterase Dependent Neuro-Inflammatory Pathway in Male Coturnix Coturnix Japonica. Neurochem Res 2024, 49 (7), 1687–1702. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-024-04127-7.
(2) Ghosh, T.; Suke, S.; Yadav, C.; Ahmed, R.; Banerjee, B. Ashwagandha Reverses the Dieldrin-Induced Cognitive Impairment by Modulation of Oxidative Stress in Rat Brain. Pharmacognosy Res 2019, 11 (1), 92. https://doi.org/10.4103/pr.pr_77_18.
(3) Uabundit, N.; Wattanathorn, J.; Mucimapura, S.; Ingkaninan, K. Cognitive Enhancement and Neuroprotective Effects of Bacopa Monnieri in Alzheimer’s Disease Model. J Ethnopharmacol 2010, 127 (1), 26–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.09.056.
(4) Sushma; Sahu, M. R.; Murugan, N. A.; Mondal, A. C. Amelioration of Amyloid-β Induced Alzheimer’s Disease by Bacopa Monnieri through Modulation of Mitochondrial Dysfunction and GSK-3β/Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling. Mol Nutr Food Res 2024, 68 (13). https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.202300245.
(5) Dubey, T.; Kushwaha, P.; Thulasiram, H. V.; Chandrashekar, M.; Chinnathambi, S. Bacopa Monnieri Reduces Tau Aggregation and Tau-Mediated Toxicity in Cells. Int J Biol Macromol 2023, 234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123171.