Herbs Boost Memory, Protect Brain
The herb sage enhances memory and mental function. It also has neuroprotective properties. Although not a cure, it could be a therapeutic treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of neurodegenerative disease.
Those with Alzheimer’s disease usually experience a drop in acetylcholine. Sage inhibits an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which breaks down the acetylcholine in our brains.
Many of the current drugs have unpleasant side effects and are rarely effective. Targeted nutrition typically has superior impact on symptoms with no side effects. Further investigation is needed to find out why sage is so effective but researchers think it’s a combination of chemicals in the oil, which have an effect on AChE. The oils also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
“This underscores the value of the work by the old herbalists. They shouldn’t be ignored because they were writing centuries ago,” said lead researcher Nicola Tildesley.
“This research has serious implications for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. It will inform drug research and development.”
The research was funded by Oxford Natural Products. The MPRC is carrying out another clinical trial where sage is being tested on people with Alzheimer’s disease. Further investigation is needed to find out why sage is so effective but researchers think it could be a combination of chemicals in the oil which have an effect on AChE and which give it antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are targets of Alzheimer’s disease treatment.
Several essential oils, including Lemon Citrus limonum, Rosemary Rosmarinus officialis and Spanish Sage (Salvia lavandulifolia)have been shown to act in a similar way to conventional drugs, inhibiting cholinesterase without any negative side effects. It has also been shown that using these essential oils in their natural state vs. isolating chemical constituents has a greater effect on preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine.
Salvia plants are traditionally noted for their antioxidant effects and ability to enhance head and brain function, improve memory, quicken the senses, and delay age-associated cognitive decline. Several studies have confirmed the many salvia species have promising, cognitive-enhancing effects. Rosemary also is known for improving memory.
Further research is required to examine the longer-term cognitive-enhancing effects of salvia species on cognition, memory and the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
While many people are searching for the best essential oils for Alzheimer’s disease, many sellers are claiming they offer the best essential oils for Alzheimer’s disease, no one can say what essential oils will work best with your body chemistry, but there is an increasing awareness of the influence of different hormones and neurotransmitters on cognitive activity. Essential oils can help stimulate these natural systems. Sage (salvia) is one of the most promising forms. Salvia plants and their compounds can influence several biological mechanisms associated with cognition, including their effects on amyloid-β, cholinergic activity, neurons, oxidation, inflammation and mood swings.
Salvia plants are a rich source of polyphenol compounds with over 160 identified polyphenols, comprising an array of phenolic acids and flavonoids. These phenolic compounds include caffeic acid and its derivatives, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acids, sagecoumarin, lithospermic acids, sagernic acid, and yunnaneic acids. The most prevalent flavonoids include luteolin, apigenin, hispidulin, kaempferol and quercetin. Plants of the genus Salvia also are rich in essential oils.
The accumulation of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) is a characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease and its deposition is considered partially responsible for the cognitive dysfunction seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
It is theorized that aggregated Aβ is accountable for the progressive nature of the disease, as the unregulated build-up of aggregates are neurotoxic, causing dysfunction to cholinergic neurons and calcium homeostasis, and promoting the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory responses.
Salvia miltiorrhiza has been shown to protect mice from Aβ-induced neurotoxicity by inhibiting increases in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Tanshinones from S. miltiorrhiza can also protect against Aβ-induced toxicity by ameliorating mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), matrix metalloproteinase 2 and nuclear transcription factor-κ.
Animal studies have demonstrated that supplementation with S. sahendica attenuated memory deficits, modulated cAMP response element binding protein and its down-stream molecules and decreased apoptosis in Aβ-injected rats. In mice exposed to an acute injection of Aβ, rosmarinic acid also prevented Aβ-induced nitration of proteins in the hippocampus. Rosmarinic acid also prevented memory impairments induced by Aβ toxicity.
Protective effects from Aβ toxicity have also been observed following the administration of the Salvia constituents, salvianolic acid, carnosic acid and quercetin.
Genus salvia, commonly known as sage, is the largest genus in the Lamiaceae family. It comprises many species traditionally used as brain-enhancing tonics. In vitro and animal studies have confirmed that several Salvia species contain a large array of active compounds that may enhance cognitive activity and protect against neurodegenerative disease. Their potential effects in dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, are still unfolding.
