Oleocanthal Against Alzheimer’s
Olive oil is an important ingredient of the cuisine of the Middle East and the Mediterranean countries. In liturgy it is associated with all ceremonies right from cradle to the grave. The chemical composition and medicinal values of the oil has been subject of intensive investigations over many years. In 2005 Gary K Beauchamp of Monell institute found out that the oral irritation quality was found to be due to Oleocanthal( present to the extent of 9 mg per 50 g of the oil) having also anti-inflammatory action similar to Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is known to be- associated with a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s when used regularly.
Oleocanthal, is now reported to have an ability to change the structure of the protein deposits in the brain found in Alzheimer’s disease and to prevent the ability of these proteins to damage brain nerve cells.
According to Dr. Paul A S Breslin of the Monell Centre Medlin, this finding can pave the way to development of preventive measures and better therapeutics to fight Alzheimer’s disease.
The toxic proteins of the plaque known as ADDLs disrupt the function of the nerve cells by binding to the neural synapses of the brain leading to overall disruption of brain function resulting in dementia.
The onset of binding of ADDLs to nerve cell synapses is thought to initiate Alzheimer’s disease. Oleocanthal alters the structure of ADDLs in such a way as to deter their binding to synapses,” said William L. Klein, PhD, Professor of Neurobiology & Physiology, at Northwestern University and co-leader of this research with Breslin is of the opinion that “translational studies are needed to link these laboratory findings to lead to clinical interventions.
The identification of ADDLs by Klein and his colleagues in 1998, threw light on the causes, progression and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Also known as beta-amyloid oligomers, ADDLs differ structurally from the amyloid plaques in brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
In vitro studies by Monell and Northwestern researchers found that ADDLs on incubation with oleocanthal changed the structure and increased the size of the protein. This led to study the effect of oleocanthal in changing ability of ADDLs to bind to synapses of cultured hippocampal neurons connected with learning and memory the first to be affected in Alzheimer’s disease. It was seen that small amounts of oenocanthal effectively reduced binding of ADDLs to hippocampal synapses. It was also observed that oenocathal protects the synapses from structural damage by ADDLs.
Oleocanthal was also found unexpectedly to make ADDLs as stronger targets for antibodies. This action offers an opportunity for creationof more effective immunotherapy treatments using antibodies to bind to and attack ADDLs.
The implications are far reaching according to Breslin. If antibody treatment of Alzheimer’s is enhanced by oleocanthal, the collective anti-toxic and immunological effects of this compound may lead to a successful treatment for an incurable disease. Only clinical trials can reveal its efficacy.
Detailed studies in future to understand the mechanism of change to structure of ADDLs caused by oleocanthal changes ADDL structure may give better insight of the pharmacological actions of oleocanthal, ibuprofen, and structurally related plant compounds. Leading to discovery pathways related to disease prevention and treatment.
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