Main > NEUROLOGY. > Alzheimer's Disease > Treatment > Curcumin (Curry Spice Pigment) > Org.: USA. Ua (Clinical Trial) > NPLS Contents
One study that explored how curcumin works comes from a team led by Author.
The researchers note that curcumin s structure resembles that of Congo red, a dye known to bind to amyloid-Beta oligomers and fibrils in vitro. Congo red, unfortunately, is both toxic and unable to cross the blood-brain barrier to reach amyloid-beta aggregates.
FIBRIL DISSIPATORS Some compounds that inhibit aggregation of amyloid-beta feature two charged or polar groups separated by a hydrophobic bridge.
Unlike the negatively charged Congo red, curcumin s hydrophobic nature might allow it to enter the brain, the researchers reasoned. In addition, curcumin has a long and benign history. It has been used in the form of turmeric as an antioxidant food preservative and as an anti-inflammatory turmeric extract in traditional Indian medicine. Author thinks that curcumin may combat both the oxidative damage and inflammation associated with Alzheimer s disease.
Through in vitro tests, Author s team has shown that curcumin inhibits the formation of amyloid-beta oligomers and fibrils. In addition, the researchers have found that curcumin injected into the bloodstream or fed to a mouse crosses over into the animal s brain and binds to amyloid-beta.
Better yet, adding curcumin to the diet of an aged mouse appears to break up amyloid-beta plaques in the animal s brain. "Our in vivo observations suggest that curcumin may be beneficial even after the disease has developed," Author s team explains. That capability would be invaluable because the outward symptoms of Alzheimer s disease do not become apparent until decades after amyloid begins to accumulate in the brain. Org. has begun human clinical trials of curcumin in patients with mild to moderate cases.
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