Neurodegenerative Diseases

Presentation Slides

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Review Article

Magnesium, essential for harmonising nerve signals and preserving the blood-brain barrier, may be linked to neurodegenerative disorders when its balance is disrupted.

2022 International Journal of Molecular Sciences Magnesium and the Brain: A Focus on Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration
Maier JAM, Locatelli L, Fedele G, Cazzaniga A, Mazur A

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Review Article

Green tea's catechins demonstrate therapeutic effects against neurodegenerative diseases via anti-inflammatory, antioxidant actions, and activating diverse brain cellular pathways.

2022 Molecules Green Tea Catechins Attenuate Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cognitive Deficits
Afzal O, Dalhat MH, Altamimi ASA, Rasool R, Alzarea SI, Almalki WH, Murtaza BN, Iftikhar S, Nadeem S, Nadeem MS, Kazmi I

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Bananas and plantains contain compounds with anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidative properties that hold promise for potentially reversing neurological disorders.

2022 Foods Suitability of Banana and Plantain Fruits in Modulating Neurodegenerative Diseases: Implicating the In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence from Neuroactive Narratives of Constituent Biomolecules
Oyeyinka BO, Afolayan AJ

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Review Article

Fermented soybean products alleviate and possibly prevent neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

2021 Foods Fermented Soy Products: Beneficial Potential in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Jang CH, Oh J, Lim JS, Kim HJ, Kim JS

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Review Article

Saffron shows potential as a promising therapeutic agent in treating neurodegenerative ocular diseases.

2020 Neural Regeneration Research Beneficial effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in ocular pathologies, particularly neurodegenerative retinal diseases
Ramírez JM, Salazar JJ, Fernández-Albarral JA, de Hoz R, Ramírez AI, López-Cuenca I, Salobrar-García E, Pinazo-Durán MD

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Experimental Study

Honey, specifically its polyphenols, show promising signs of enhancing memory and counteracting neurodegenerative diseases by reducing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

2014 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Neurological Effects of Honey: Current and Future Prospects
Mijanur Rahman M, Gan SH, Khalil MI

Executive Summary

Write an executive summary in the form of a blog article on the topic of "Research into Chinese medicine treatment for Neurodegenerative Diseases" summarising the research below and using language that can be easily understood by patients and avoiding medical jargon using a professional and caring tone of voice.

Write an executive summary in the form of a blog article on the topic of "Researched Chinese medicine treatments for Neurodegenerative Diseases" summarising the research below in an objective and easy to understand way, and using language that can be easily understood by patients. Group the article into Chinese medicine treatments first, followed by nutrition and other treatments. Avoid using medical jargon and use a professional and caring tone of voice.

Write me a concise but easy to understand executive summary on the topic of "Chinese medicine treatments for Neurodegenerative Diseases" based on the following research that I will give you. Your summary should be 2 paragraphs long in Australian English spelling and include references to the studies.

A Review Article published in 2022 in the journal International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that Magnesium, essential for harmonising nerve signals and preserving the blood-brain barrier, may be linked to neurodegenerative disorders when its balance is disrupted. The researchers performed a narrative review, beginning with a quick overview of the role of magnesium in the brain. Magnesium is crucial for healthy nerve signal transmission and the upkeep of the blood-brain barrier, which protects the brain from harmful substances in the blood. Then, they discussed evidence suggesting a connection between disrupted magnesium balance and a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. In the discussion of the results, it was posited that a deficiency in magnesium might contribute to low-grade systemic inflammation, which is common in many illnesses. Specifically, they argued that such inflammation in the brain is a characteristic feature of neurodegenerative diseases. The review found evidence that disruptions in the body's magnesium balance could be associated with multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases.

A Review Article published in 2022 in the journal Molecules found that Green tea's catechins demonstrate therapeutic effects against neurodegenerative diseases via anti-inflammatory, antioxidant actions, and activating diverse brain cellular pathways. The research primarily evaluates the effect of polyphenolic compounds found in green tea, known as catechins, on neurodegenerative diseases. By conducting several interventional and observational studies on humans, the research explores the anti-cancer, anti-obesity, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties of these compounds. The biological, pharmacological, antioxidant, and metal chelating abilities of catechins, particularly their influence on different cellular pathways within the brain, are intensively studied. The results elucidate that catechins exhibit multiple neuroprotective effects. Their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help to inhibit excessive production of cytokines, and inflammatory pathways, while also controlling metal ions and free radicals. Researchers have further established that catechins may curb the phosphorylation of the tau protein and aggregation of amyloid beta, both key markers in neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, these compounds show potential in reducing alpha-synuclein levels and augmenting dopamine levels. Hence, they significantly contribute to the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and cognitive deficits.

A published in 2022 in the journal Foods found that Bananas and plantains contain compounds with anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidative properties that hold promise for potentially reversing neurological disorders. The methodology of the study revolved around scrutinizing the bioactive properties found in bananas and plantains. Researchers pinpointed various neuroprotective mechanisms within commonly consumed fruits, specifically bananas and plantains. The study examined protein expression regulation and targeted specific gene pathways, including nuclear and tumor necrosis factors, extracellular signal-regulated and mitogen-activated protein kinases, activator protein-1, and the glial fibrillary acidic protein. In their investigations, they also considered the underutilized peel components of these fruits. The results suggest that the multitude of bioactive compounds found in both the pulp and peels of bananas and plantains perform a variety of beneficial neuroprotective activities. These range from acting as antioxidants, preventing cell death (anti-apoptotic), and reducing inflammation (anti-inflammatory), to directly influencing the functionality of the nervous system (neuromodulatory). This discovery implicates plant-based foods, specifically bananas and plantains, as potentially significant substances in combating, halting, or mitigating the pathological mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders.

A Review Article published in 2021 in the journal Foods found that Fermented soybean products alleviate and possibly prevent neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. The study involved the fermentation of cooked soybeans with specified bacteria and fungi species, a process known to produce a range of bioactive compounds. These unique compounds, which are most often beneficial to health, are contained in fermented soybean products that are a staple in East Asian diets. In analyzing the results, the focus was on the potential of these fermented soy foods and their components in managing neurodegenerative diseases. Notably, the findings suggested a significant preventive and curative effect of these products on such ailments as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The paper, therefore, presents fermented soy foods as potentially reliable natural solutions to these neurodegenerative conditions.

A Review Article published in 2020 in the journal Neural Regeneration Research found that Saffron shows potential as a promising therapeutic agent in treating neurodegenerative ocular diseases. This research thoroughly explores the therapeutic properties of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), traditionally used in food and medicine, focusing on its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic activities. These properties stem from saffron's main metabolites, notably crocin and crocetin. In addition to investigating its commonly attributed properties, the study delves into the possible neuroprotective role of saffron in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, looking at both experimental models and clinical studies in patients. The findings reveal that saffron has shown beneficial effects in the treatment of ocular neurodegenerative conditions including diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. This study offers an in-depth review and report on ongoing investigations of saffron extract’s benefits for ocular diseases, particularly neurodegenerative ones.

A Experimental Study published in 2014 in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that Honey, specifically its polyphenols, show promising signs of enhancing memory and counteracting neurodegenerative diseases by reducing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. The research focuses on the analysis of the nootropic and neuropharmacological benefits of honey, with particular emphasis on its polyphenol constituents. Essentially, honey's nutritional and physiological effects on memory enhancement and various neurological activities have been examined. This study delves into the mechanistic approach in which honey, as a natural compound, can mitigate oxidative stress while enhancing the cellular antioxidant defense system - a cue to its potential role in neutralizing reactive oxygen species that have harmful effects on neurological health. The findings from the research suggest that honey and its polyphenols play a noteworthy role in neuronal health. They display a potential ability to improve memory deficits and other neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, honey polyphenols have been associated with apoptosis activities and the reduction of microglia-induced neuroinflammation. Furthermore, the direct involvement of these polyphenols in synaptic plasticity was found, which could have a substantial effect on the behavior-modulating neural circuitry. Overall, these findings indicate the possible therapeutic value of honey and its polyphenols on the health of the neurological system.

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