A pure compound present in on a regular basis vegetables and fruit might maintain the important thing to defending nerve cells — and it is exhibiting promise as a possible remedy for ALS and dementia, based on new analysis from the College of Missouri.
“It is thrilling to find a naturally occurring compound that will assist folks affected by ALS or dementia,” Smita Saxena, a professor of bodily medication and rehabilitation on the Faculty of Medication and lead creator of the research, stated. “We discovered this compound had a robust impression when it comes to sustaining motor and muscle perform and lowering muscle atrophy.”
The research found that kaempferol, a pure antioxidant present in sure vegetables and fruit, reminiscent of kale, berries and endives, might assist nerve cell well being and holds promise as a possible remedy for ALS.
In lab-grown nerve cells from ALS sufferers, the compound helped the cells produce extra vitality and eased stress within the protein-processing middle of the cell known as the endoplasmic reticulum. Moreover, the compound improved general cell perform and slowed nerve cell injury. Researchers discovered that kaempferol labored by focusing on an important pathway that helps management vitality manufacturing and protein administration — two features which are disrupted in people with ALS.
“I imagine this is likely one of the first compounds able to focusing on each the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria concurrently,” Saxena stated. “By interacting with each of those parts inside nerve cells, it has the potential to elicit a strong neuroprotective impact.”
The problem
The catch? The physique would not take up kaempferol simply, and it might take a big quantity to see actual advantages in people. As an example, a person with ALS would wish to devour not less than 10-11 kilos of kale in a day to acquire a useful dose.
“Our our bodies do not take up kaempferol very effectively from the greens we eat,” Saxena stated. “Due to this, solely a small quantity reaches our tissues, limiting how efficient it may be. We have to discover methods to extend the dose of kaempferol or modify it so it is absorbed into the bloodstream extra simply.”
One other hurdle is getting the compound into the mind. The blood-brain barrier — a tightly locked layer of cells that blocks dangerous substances — additionally makes it more durable for bigger molecules like kaempferol to move by means of.
What’s subsequent?
Regardless of its challenges, kaempferol stays a promising candidate for treating ALS, particularly since it really works even after signs begin. It additionally reveals potential for different neurodegenerative ailments together with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
To make the compound simpler for the physique to soak up, Saxena’s crew on the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Well being constructing is exploring methods to spice up its uptake by neurons. One promising method entails packaging lipid-based nanoparticles — tiny spherical particles made from fat which are generally utilized in drug supply.
“The thought is to encapsulate kaempferol inside lipid-based nanoparticles which are simply absorbed by the neurons,” Saxena stated. “This may goal kaempferol to neurons to enormously enhance its useful impact.”
The crew is presently producing the nanoparticles with hopes of testing them by the tip of the yr.
