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Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Alzheimer's disease: Common herbs used in the kitchen could help slow down the progression of the disease, study finds
Imagine a common sprig of rosemary or sage gracing your roast chicken! Now, imagine that this modest herb may harbor a powerful ally in the fight against Alzheimer's. Yes, that's right. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Recent breakthroughs spotlight a compound called carnosic acid, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powerhouse present in these kitchen staples. In its natural form, carnosic acid is unstable, yet innovative science has transformed it into a stabilized prodrug, diAcCA, capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and selectively activating in damaged, inflamed brain cells. While still in the pre-clinical stages, this discovery lights a spark of hope, hinting that everyday herbs might play a role in slowing, or even preventing, cognitive decline. What does the study say? In a recent study published in the journal Antioxidants, researchers from the Scripps Research Institute discovered a compound called carnosic acid – found in rosemary and sage – with impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They suggest that this compound could be beneficial for neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's. Researchers Piu Banerjee and Dr. Stuart Lipton shared their findings with Fox News Digital. They said, 'In this study, we observed that administering this drug to mice that had advanced Alzheimer's-like disease significantly improved the number of neurons, as well as the number of synapses or connections between the brain cells.' They also noted, 'It reduced inflammation caused by current anti-amyloid antibody therapies and improved learning and memory behavior in the mice that received the drug.' Banerjee explained that carnosic acid is a 'prodrug,' meaning it's inactive until it enters the body, where it gets activated by oxidative and inflammatory stress. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'It specifically targets cells undergoing oxidative and inflammatory stress, without affecting healthy, normal brain cells,' she added. This makes it a safer option for treatment. The researchers believe carnosic acid might help reduce inflammation in aging brains. However, they urge caution. Courtney Kloske, director of scientific engagement for the Alzheimer's Association, stressed that while studying mice helps us understand the disease, we really need to conduct human studies for a complete picture. 'These findings are intriguing, but more research is needed to see how these compounds affect people living with or at risk for Alzheimer's,' she advised. Banerjee and Lipton also noted that just cooking with sage and rosemary won't deliver the same anti-inflammatory benefits. "Critically, one cannot take sufficient herbs safely to produce the same effect as our new drug,' Banerjee explained. Kloske added, 'At this point, no one should consume these herbs or carnosic acid to prevent or treat Alzheimer's or other cognitive impairments.' Origins and key compound: Carnosic acid in rosemary and sage Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and sage have both storied reputations—ancient scholars hung rosemary in their robes to boost memory. Modern research confirms that carnosic acid, alongside carnosol and rosmarinic acid, provides potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that can reach the brain. These compounds activate the Nrf2 pathway, which spurs the production of endogenous enzymes that combat oxidative stress – one of Alzheimer's disease's key drivers. From kitchen to Lab: Creating diAcCA Carnosic acid's instability limited its therapeutic potential – until researchers at Scripps created diAcCA, an acetylated prodrug version. When consumed, diAcCA converts into its active form in the gut, crossing into the bloodstream and, crucially, the brain. In mouse models mimicking Alzheimer's (5xFAD strain), three months of diAcCA treatment led to restoration of memory and learning to near-normal levels, increased synaptic density in hippocampal circuits, and reduced neuroinflammation and diminished amyloid-β and phosphorylated tau accumulation. These results were consistent across behavioral tasks, histology, and biochemistry, with no observed toxicity. Mechanisms at work: A multi-front attack diAcCA (and its metabolite carnosic acid) appear to combat Alzheimer's via several reinforcing mechanisms: Antioxidant defense: Activates Nrf2, turning on protective genes that tackle oxidative stress and stabilize cell redox balance. Anti‑inflammatory action: Blocks cytokine release (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF‑α) and inhibits inflammasome activation, reducing harmful microglial activity. Neurotrophic support: Boosts nerve growth factor, BDNF, and synaptic resilience. Cholinergic enhancement: Rosemary's 1,8‑cineole component inhibits acetylcholinesterase, helping sustain acetylcholine levels vital for memory. Reduced neurotoxic proteins: Helps clear amyloid‑β and tau aggregates via synaptic and inflammatory pathways. The future ahead: While diAcCA hasn't yet been tested in people, several encouraging signals emerge: FDA classifies carnosic acid as 'Generally Recognized as Safe', which may speed early‑stage trials. diAcCA appears well tolerated in mice, with even digestive system benefits, while smaller human trials using rosemary/sage extracts showed improved cognitive speed and memory performance in older adults. Meta‑analyses of animal studies reflect moderate‑to‑strong cognitive gains from rosemary extract. Banerjee expressed hope for the future, stating, 'I hope our drug will start human clinical trials soon. If it proves to be effective, it will be a great new drug for those suffering from Alzheimer's. We are cautiously optimistic for its success in human clinical trials!' Reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease linked to target protein for diabetes, as per a study
New York Post
4 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
This common kitchen herb ingredient could help target or slow Alzheimer's
Experts believe they've identified a chemical compound in certain herbs that could help mitigate or prevent Alzheimer's disease — but before anyone makes a run for the spice rack, there are a few catches. In a study published in the journal Antioxidants earlier this year, researchers from the Scripps Research Institute identified a compound called carnosic acid, which is prevalent in rosemary and sage. Advertisement The compound could prove therapeutic for neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, the experts concluded. Carnosic acid contains 'striking antioxidant [and] anti-inflammatory properties,' the researchers wrote in the findings. Scripps Research postdoctoral associate Piu Banerjee and board-certified neurologist Dr. Stuart Lipton, based in California, spoke with Fox News Digital about the results. 'In this study, we observed that administering this drug to mice that had advanced Alzheimer's-like disease significantly improved the number of neurons, as well as the number of synapses or connections between the brain cells,' the team said. Advertisement 4 Experts believe they've identified a chemical compound, carnosic acid, in certain herbs like rosemary and sage that could help mitigate or prevent Alzheimer's disease. Brent Hofacker – The experts added, 'It also reduced inflammation that is caused by the current anti-amyloid antibody therapies. We also observed an improvement in the learning and memory behavior of the mice that received the drug.' Banerjee and Lipton also noted that carnosic acid is a 'prodrug,' meaning it's inactive at first — but once it enters the body, it's activated by oxidative and inflammatory stress. 'It specifically targets cells undergoing oxidative and inflammatory stress, without affecting the healthy, normal brain cells,' Banerjee said. Advertisement 'This further makes it a safe option for therapeutics.' The experts agreed that carnosic acid could potentially improve the inflammation that generally occurs in most aging brains. There are cautions, however. Advertisement Courtney Kloske, director of scientific engagement for the Chicago-based Alzheimer's Association, told Fox News Digital that studies based on a mouse model of Alzheimer's can be helpful but are not conclusive. 4 Experts say carnosic acid could improve inflammation occurring in most aging brains. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – 'Models are important in helping us understand the basic biology of the disease, but we need human studies in representative populations for ideas to be fully validated,' Kloske said. 'Therefore, while these are intriguing findings, more research is needed to understand the impacts and outcomes of these compounds on people living with, or at risk for, Alzheimer's.' Cooking sage and rosemary won't provide the full anti-inflammatory effects, Banerjee and Lipton stressed. 4 'We need human studies in representative populations for ideas to be fully validated,' Courtney Kloske, director of scientific engagement for the Chicago-based Alzheimer's Association, says about the limitations of the information. – 'Critically, one cannot take sufficient herbs safely to produce the same effect as our new drug,' Banerjee said. The study, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged. Advertisement Kloske advised that, at this point, 'no one should consume these herbs (or carnosic acid) to prevent or treat Alzheimer's or other cognitive impairment.' 4 According to Scripps Research postdoctoral associate Piu Banerjee and board-certified neurologist Dr. Stuart Lipton, cooking sage and rosemary won't provide the full anti-inflammatory effects. Ganna – Dr. Lee Murray, a neurologist in Jackson, Tennessee, echoed Kloske's concerns. 'Before patients start incorporating rosemary and sage in every dish they eat, we need to remember these studies are pre-clinical,' Murray told Fox News Digital. Advertisement 'Currently, there is insufficient clinical evidence to recommend rosemary and sage as a standard therapy for Alzheimer's dementia.' Murray, however, said the data 'is encouraging' and opens the door to additional pathways for potential therapeutics. Banerjee said she hopes that 'our drug will start human clinical trials soon.' She added, 'If it proves to be effective, it will be a great new drug for those suffering from Alzheimer's … From the results of our animal studies, we are cautiously optimistic for its success in human clinical trials.'
Alalam24
22-06-2025
- Health
- Alalam24
A Single Dose Could Reshape Immunity Against the Deadliest Viruses
A team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Scripps Research Institute has developed a groundbreaking method to enhance the immune response against HIV using just a single vaccine dose, by combining two powerful immune-boosting agents. In experiments conducted on mice, results showed that the combination of traditional 'alum' and a new immune adjuvant called SMNP led to the production of more diverse and larger quantities of antibodies, compared to using the vaccine alone or with just one adjuvant. This development not only opens promising avenues for HIV prevention, but could also accelerate the creation of effective single-dose vaccines for other infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza. The researchers based their study on a modified HIV protein known as MD39, used as an antigen attached to alum particles with the addition of SMNP. Following vaccination, the team observed that this combination remained stable in lymph nodes for up to a month, giving the immune system more time to build a strong and targeted response. Professor J. Christopher Love, one of the lead researchers, explained: 'This method mimics what happens during natural infection, where the antigen remains in the body for a long time, giving immune cells the opportunity to strengthen their defenses.' By analyzing B cells in the mice, researchers found that the enhanced vaccine produced a broader and greater quantity of antibodies, increasing the likelihood of generating 'broadly neutralizing' antibodies capable of targeting multiple strains of HIV. Love added: 'The more opportunities we give the immune system to explore different options, the higher the chances of producing effective antibodies against a wider range of viruses.' The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, suggests that the approach can be applied to protein-based vaccines for various diseases. Additionally, the components used are already familiar to health authorities, which could speed up regulatory approval. Love concluded: 'The true strength of this approach lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. It doesn't require new technologies, just a smarter use of existing tools to develop stronger, faster vaccines.' The research was supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Koch Institute, the Ragon Institute, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Health Line
14-06-2025
- Health
- Health Line
HIV: As Scientists Inch Closer to a Vaccine, Cuts to Funding Could Stall Progress
The Trump administration reportedly plans to cut almost all funding for HIV vaccine research. Experts say the decision comes at a time when research in this field is making substantial progress. Many effective treatments are available for HIV, but these are lifelong commitments that manage a chronic disease rather than cure it. Treatments for HIV infection have come a long way since the 1980s, when too many lives were lost during the epidemic. Today, antiretroviral therapies and other treatments allow people with HIV to live longer lives and, in many cases, prevent the transmission of the virus that causes the disease to other people. Scientists now say the next step in the fight is a vaccine that protects against HIV. However, that next development could be on the chopping block. Trump administration officials reportedly plan to halt funding for a wide array of HIV vaccine research. Researchers told CBS News they have been informed by officials at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has instructed the agency not to issue any more funding during the next fiscal year for HIV vaccine research. NIH officials said HHS officials have instead decided to 'go with currently available approaches to eliminate HIV.' The decision will close down HIV vaccine research projects at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute and the Scripps Research Institute, according to a report in the journal Science. Officials at Moderna also told CBS News that their current clinical trials on HIV vaccines have been put on hold. Experts say the decision to cut funding for an HIV vaccine is short-sighted and reckless. 'I'm stunned by this decision,' said Jake Scott, MD, a clinical associate professor of medicine at Stanford University in California who specializes in infectious diseases. 'There is no scientific or medical evidence to justify these cuts at the exact moment this field is showing real promise,' he told Healthline. Carl Baloney Jr., the chief executive officer-elect of AIDS United, agreed. 'Eliminating funding for HIV vaccine research undermines decades of scientific progress and turns our back on a future where HIV could be preventable for all, regardless of where someone lives, their income, or access to healthcare,' he told Healthline. Why an HIV vaccine is important Experts say that treatments for HIV are incredibly effective. However, they note that most involve daily adherence and aren't necessarily readily available or affordable for many people. 'There are a lot of good options, but they can be really expensive,' Scott said. 'These medications are also not a cure. They are a lifetime burden.' The experts add that people with low levels of HIV in their system can still have weakened immune systems. That can raise the risk of serious infections as well as inflammation that can lead to conditions such as heart disease. 'A vaccine can help prevent all this,' said Scott. Experts note that a vaccine research program may be difficult to put back together even if a new administration restored funding in the near future. They say it took decades to build these programs and restarting them would take time. In addition, researchers will leave the field of HIV prevention to set up shop in another industry that is receiving funding. 'We could lose an entire generation of scientists,' said Scott. 'This is setting the field back a decade or more at a critical time.' 'This isn't just about canceling [a] clinical trial. It's about sidelining the scientists, institutions, and community partners driving innovation forward,' added Baloney. 'These setbacks could delay the development of a successful HIV vaccine by years or even decades.' How scientists fought against HIV The first treatment for HIV was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1987. Azidothymidine (AZT) was first developed in 1964 as a treatment for cancer. It was ineffective in that usage, but in the 1980s, scientists discovered AZT could suppress HIV replication without damaging healthy cells. It helped treat people with AIDS as well as people who were HIV positive but had no symptoms. In the 1990s, other nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) were developed and approved. Laboratory tests to measure viral load and cell counts accelerated this research. From there, scientists experimented with combining drugs to help counter the HIV virus's ability to mutate and replicate. In 1996, a triple-drug therapy proved effective in thwarting HIV replication and creating a barrier against drug resistance. Since then, these antiretroviral drugs have become more effective and more available. The effectiveness of these medications is nothing short of miraculous. In the 1980s, the average life expectancy after an AIDS diagnosis was one year. Today, people who adhere to combination antiretroviral drug therapies can expect to live a near-normal life span. In some cases, the medications can reduce the HIV viral load in a person to the point where the virus is undetectable and can't be transmitted to another person. How is HIV treated today? More than 50 types of HIV medications are now approved for use. Some of the more commonly used antiretroviral medications are: Combination NRTI drugs that include Truvada and Descovy. These medications work by preventing HIV from converting its RNA into DNA. This prevents the virus from making copies of itself.. Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) that include Vocabria and Biktarvy. These drugs work by blocking an enzyme that HIV uses to put HIV DNA into human DNA inside cells. Protease inhibitors (PIs) such as Lexiva and Crixivan. These medications work by blocking an enzyme that HIV needs as part of its life cycle. Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) that include Intelence and Viramune. These drugs work by preventing the HIV virus from making copies of itself. Entry inhibitors such as Fuzeon and Selzentry. These medications work by blocking HIV from entering CD4 T cells. In addition, there are drugs known as Cytochrome P4503A (CYP3A) inhibitors, such as Tybost and Norvir, that help boost the levels of HIV medications in the bloodstream. There are also medications known as post-attachment inhibitors that when used with antiretroviral drugs can help prevent HIV from entering immune cells. Trogarzo was the first of these drugs to become available, having been approved in 2018. In addition, there are attachment inhibitor medications, a newer form of HIV drug that works by attaching to a viral protein, which prevents that protein from entering healthy T cells. Only one type of this medication, Rubokia, is currently available, having been approved in 2020. Most people with HIV are given medications, but there also are long-acting injections that are given once a month or once every other month. Scott said these treatments are cures that have turned HIV into a 'managed chronic disease' to the point where he and other colleagues now refer to AIDS as 'advanced HIV.' Baloney said, however, there are limits to how much treatments can do. 'Current treatments and prevention tools have transformed HIV into a manageable chronic condition, but they are not a cure and they're not accessible to everyone,' he said. 'An HIV vaccine would be a game-changer, especially for communities facing systemic barriers to care.' Preventive measures for HIV Even with the available treatments, experts agree that it's better for a person if they don't contract HIV in the first place. They say condom use, along with dental dams and gloves, can be effective barriers to contracting HIV. Limiting sexual partners is also recommended, as are sterile needles for intravenous drug users. Getting tested for HIV is also an important component. It's estimated that more than 1 million people in the United States have HIV, and 13% of them don't know they have contracted the virus. There are medications available that can be taken as a precaution or after potential exposure to HIV. These drugs include: Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP): These medications can be taken as a daily pill or a bimonthly injection. The first injectable PrEP drug was Apretude, which was approved by the FDA in 2021. Truvada can also be used as PrEP therapy. These medications help prevent HIV from getting a foothold in the body. Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) drugs: These are designed to be taken within 72 hours of potential exposure to HIV. It is a pill ingested once a day for 28 days. Lenacapavir: This injectable drug has been tested in clinical trials as a potential PrEP therapy. The FDA is scheduled to vote on its approval on June 19. Experts say all these preventive measures are good practices, but they note that vaccines are still the most effective.
Int'l Business Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Trump Froze Nobel Prize Winning Lebanese-American Scientist's Grant. Then China Offered Him Funding at Any School
A Nobel Prize winning Lebanese-American who left his war-torn country for America in 1986 now has the opportunity to take his research to China after the Trump administration froze his federal grant. After earning his doctorate, Ardem Patapoutian became a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, San Francisco. In 2000, he joined the Scripps Research Institute as an assistant professor, and since 2015, he has also served as an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. In 2021, the renowned molecular biologist and neuroscientist was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch. Dr. Patapoutian joined a growing number of American academics speaking out after President Donald Trump's administration cut more than $1.5 billion from the National Institutes of Health's budget in February, leaving institutions like Scripps Research with a $38 million shortfall. After warning his Bluesky followers that the cuts would undermine biomedical research and push talent out of the U.S., Dr. Patapoutian told The New York Times that within hours, he received an email from China offering to relocate his lab to "any city, any university I want," with guaranteed funding for 20 years. Although Dr. Patapoutian ultimately declined, citing his love for his adopted countries, he warned that emerging scientists may have no choice but to leave, placing future U.S. scientific breakthroughs and research at risk. Originally published on Latin Times
