Potential benefits of phytochemicals against Alzheimer's disease

Wightman, Emma (2017) Potential benefits of phytochemicals against Alzheimer's disease. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 76 (2). pp. 106-112. ISSN 0029-6651

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0029665116002962

Abstract

Our current therapeutic drugs for Alzheimer's disease are predominantly derived from the alkaloid class of plant phytochemicals. These drugs, such as galantamine and rivastigmine, attenuate the decline in the cholinergic system but, as the alkaloids occupy the most dangerous end of the phytochemical spectrum (indeed they function as feeding deterrents and poisons to other organisms within the plant itself), they are often associated with unpleasant side effects. In addition, these cholinesterase inhibiting alkaloids target only one system in a disorder, which is typified by multifactorial deficits. The present paper will look at the more benign terpene (such as Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng, Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) and Salvia lavandulaefolia (sage)) and phenolic (such as resveratrol) phytochemicals; arguing that they offer a safer alternative and that, as well as demonstrating efficacy in cholinesterase inhibition, these phytochemicals are able to target other salient systems such as cerebral blood flow, free radical scavenging, anti-inflammation, inhibition of amyloid-β neurotoxicity, glucoregulation and interaction with other neurotransmitters (such as γ-aminobutyric acid) and signalling pathways (e.g. via kinase enzymes).

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: This paper was presented at the Nutrition Society Scottish Section Meeting held at The Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh on 21–22 March 2016.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, Phytochemicals, Alkaloid, Terpene, Phenolic
Subjects: B400 Nutrition
C800 Psychology
Department: Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User: Becky Skoyles
Date Deposited: 21 Feb 2017 13:44
Last Modified: 17 Dec 2023 16:45
URI: https://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/29802

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