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• References
Parkinson's disease which affects the neurons in the brain is associated with dopamine, and Alzheimer's disease which involves formation of plaques in the brain, both have been associated with increased markers of inflammation in the brain. Oxidative stress contributes to the cascade leading to dopamine cell degeneration in Parkinson's and plaque formation in Alzheimer's. Oxidative damage to lipids (DHA in the brain), and proteins occurs in Parkinson's disease.Toxic products such as 4-hydroxynonenal can react with proteins to impair cells.(1)(2) Thus, the focus of adjunctive Parkinson's and Alzheimer's treatments involve protecting the neurons from further oxidative damage. Other researchers concur that there is increasing evidence that suggests that inflammation in the brain, either as a consequence of injury or exposure to infectious agents, may play a role in Parkinson's disease.(3) Inflammation of the brain, later development, and involvement with the immune system appear to be contributing to the various neuro-degenerative diseases.(4) Other researchers have proposed that vitamin E administration may serve as a partial strategy for the prevention or treatment of Parkinson's disease.(5) Vitamin E is the main antioxidant that has penetration into the central nervous system. Interestingly enough, when plasma antioxidants were measured in Parkinson's patients, the levels of vitamin C were significantly lower than in normal controls.(6) Vitamin C is an antioxidant that stays mostly in the blood and the tissues. It is not fat-soluble, and so does not enter the brain. This evidence points to the fact that many of the patients diagnosed with these neurological diseases are under oxidative stress, and have an insufficient amount of antioxidants to handle the free radicals being produced. Oxidative cellular injury has been implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).(7) Docosahexanoic acid(DHA), a major fatty acid in the brain, has been implicated in restoration and enhancement of memory-related functions. Antioxidants that are well received into the brain include:
In one study conducted in Japan, DHA administration in rat models suppressed lipid peroxide and reactive oxygen species levels in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus (both areas of the brain that are affected in Alzheimer's). Thus, DHA is a possible prophylactic means for preventing learning deficiencies in Alzheimer's disease.(8) Recently new approaches using Sage and Rosemary for Alzheimer's and possibly Parkinson's disease, have also suggested significant effects on attention and behavior. Both of these herbal medicines contain essential oils as major constituents that have anti-inflammatory activity in the body and most likely in the brain as well. Essential oils found in these plants contain compounds called monoterpenoids (alpha and beta-pinene and 1, 8-cineole are some of the compounds) that are both fat-soluble (able to enter the brain) and have shown to be anti-inflammatory (eicosanoid inhibition). Using strong plant anti-oxidants is a very important aspect of brain targeted anti-oxidant therapy, with possible anti-inflammatory activity as well.(9)(10) Carnosic acid, a component of rosemary, appears to enhance the production of nerve growth factor which is vital for the growth, function and maintenance of nerve tissue.(11) Rosemary is also an acetylcholine esterase inhibitor, which is the same mechanism of action by which commonly prescribed medications for Alzheimer's disease work. © 2004 Botanical Resource, Inc. all copy & summary rights registered. |