Also Treats Parkinson’s Disease
A compound found in the skins and fruit of pomegranates could offer Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease researchers a new avenue for treating the disease.
Data from Alzheimer’s Disease International estimates worldwide cases of dementia will triple by 2050 — a collection of illnesses widely regarded as a premier health concern of the 21st century, due to its destructive capabilities and lack of treatment options. Now scientists are showing the compound punicalagin, a polyphenol found in pomegranates, could inhibit inflammation in brain cells known as microglia.
Dr. Olumayokun Olajide, a University researcher interested in the anti-inflammatory properties of natural products, led the research. He and his team ran tests of punicalagin on the cultured brain cells of rats. They looked at the interplay between the compound and any traces of inflammation found in the microglia.
Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease rely on inflammatory damage to destroy cells.
The proof-of-concept study found punicalagin reduced levels, but the optimal dosage demands further research before work can begin on humans. In the meantime, Olajide says, pomegranate juice could act as an effective stand-in.
“Regular consumption of pomegranate has many health benefits,” he said, “including prevention of neuro-inflammation related to dementia.”
Consumers should buy products that are 100 percent pomegranate juice, as prior research has discovered that not all juices are what they seem. In 100-percent concentrations, roughly 3.4 percent will be the key compound.
Prion disease is now the fastest-growing cause of death in the world. The truth is more elusive than a cure. The medical term for prion disease is transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, which includes ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, mad cow disease, chronic wasting disease. The operative word is “transmissible.” Prions infect the entire body of those who have the disease, which poses a threat to the people around them.
