Researcher Unveils Safer Treatments for Alzheimer's

A researcher from Nigeria, Israel Onifade, has pinpointed plant substances that may assist in treating Alzheimer's disease.

Onifade's research revealed that specific plant alkaloids have the ability to inhibit β-secretase, an enzyme associated with the accumulation of damaging plaques in the brain.

He stated in a document he signed on Wednesday that these plaques significantly contribute to memory loss and cognitive deterioration in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

The researcher explained that "multiple intricate sequences of events occur due to the gradual buildup of beta-amyloid, leading to issues like the loss of neuronal synapses, neuronal cell death, and imbalances in neurotransmitters, all of which contribute to the clinical signs of dementia."

Onifade, serving as a Program Research Specialist II at Health Research, Inc., under the New York State Department of Health, has identified compounds such as demissidine, solasodine, tomatidine, and solanidine as possible therapeutic agents.

He mentioned that contrary to current medications, which come with significant adverse effects and limited efficacy, these plant substances could provide a more secure option.

Much of the research has concentrated on amyloid-β's part in the disease's onset, resulting in the creation of medications aimed at Aβ, like β- and γ-secretase inhibitors.

Nonetheless, these inhibitors have been linked to adverse side effects, limited effectiveness, and challenges in penetrating the blood-brain barrier.

"Demissidine, solasodine, tomatidine, and solanidine are alkaloids that might act as effective dual inhibitors of both β- and γ-secretase enzymes in vitro," he mentioned.

However, Onifade emphasized that additional laboratory and clinical research is necessary to validate their efficacy.

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