Getting on my Nerves!
This Plant Extract Can Act as A Preventive Measure of a Neurodegenerative Disorder
Words by: Cyril Francis Wakit
Layout by: Alvin Kyla Shen Chua
A study on the phytochemical and neuronal activities of a traditional medicinal plant, scientifically known as Tarenna obtusifolia Merr., was pioneered by scientists which include professors of the University of Santo Tomas — College of Science, namely Prof. Mario A. Tan, PhD, and Prof. Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro, Dr. rer. nat., along with their co-authors.
This remarkable discovery was recently published and was entitled “Neuroprotective effects of vomifoliol, isolated from Tarenna obtusifolia Merr. (Rubiaceae), against amyloid-beta1–42-treated neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells”.
Aiming to continue the search for bioactive compounds from Rubiaceae plants, the researchers were the first to report in a phytochemical study of the biological activity of Tarenna obtusifolia Merr., along with their dedicated interests to include this plant as a source of potential preventive natural product against neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease.
As products against Alzheimer’s Disease protect against what are called amyloid beta, the researchers found out that the extract from the plant, known as vomifoliol extract, was able to inhibit the amyloid beta on studied neurological cancer cells or the so-called neuroblastoma.
Therefore, more results on vomifoliol extract may suggest a promising potential candidate against neurodegenerative diseases, warranting more investigations on its mechanism of action. It is indeed scientifically dazzling to get to know how plants can enlighten an avenue of future neurological medicine.
REFERENCE:
Tan, M. A., Gonzalez, S. J. B., Alejandro, G. J. D., & An, S. S. A. (2020). Neuroprotective effects of vomifoliol, isolated from Tarenna obtusifolia Merr. (Rubiaceae), against amyloid-beta1–42-treated neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. 3 Biotech, 10(10). doi:10.1007/s13205–020–02421-z.
