Richard Parks A new study reveals that a synthetic compound derived from rosemary and sage could be a breakthrough treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers from The Scripps Research Institute in the U.S. have developed a more stable version of carnosic acid, a natural antioxidant, showing significant improvement in mice with Alzheimer’s-like symptoms. The compound, known as diAcCA, may offer new hope for tackling the condition.
Synthetic Compound Improves Memory and Brain Function in Mice
The study, published in the journal Antioxidants, explored the effects of diAcCA on mice genetically modified to display symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s disease. After three months of treatment, the results were promising:
- The mice demonstrated improved learning and memory capabilities.
- The number of synapses, or connections between neurons, increased.
- There was a noticeable reduction in amyloid plaques and tau tangles—two proteins associated with Alzheimer’s.
Professor Stuart Lipton, one of the study’s lead authors, highlighted that the compound helped reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. This led to an increase in the number of synapses and a reduction in harmful proteins like amyloid-β and phosphorylated tau.
“We found that by combating these processes with diAcCA, the mice showed significant brain function improvements,” Lipton said.
A More Stable and Effective Molecule
Carnosic acid is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but its natural form has a very short shelf life. The synthetic compound, diAcCA, is more stable, can be taken orally, and is converted into active carnosic acid more efficiently in the stomach.
In fact, the blood levels of diAcCA in the test mice were 20% higher than those seen when they consumed natural carnosic acid. “We tested memory through various methods, and all showed significant improvement,” Lipton explained. “It didn’t just slow the decline of brain function; it nearly returned it to normal levels.”
The mice tolerated the compound well, suggesting that it could be a viable option for future clinical trials involving humans.
Alzheimer’s Disease: A Growing Global Crisis
Alzheimer’s disease remains the leading cause of dementia, responsible for approximately 70% of all dementia cases. In Europe, nearly 7 million people are living with the disease, and this number is expected to double by 2030 as the population ages. This research provides new hope for a treatment that directly addresses the root causes of Alzheimer’s while improving symptoms.
The findings of this study open doors for the development of herb-based, accessible treatments for Alzheimer’s that could potentially alter the trajectory of this devastating disease.