Study Explores How Ayurveda May Help in Alzheimer's Treatment

New Delhi: Researchers at the Bose Institute in Kolkata, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, have demonstrated the potential of Ayurveda in providing new therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Led by Professor Anirban Bhunia, the team explored two innovative strategies to counter amyloid proteins and peptides, which are key contributors to Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

The first approach involved the use of chemically synthesized peptides to prevent the aggregation of amyloid beta proteins. The second, more unconventional method, repurposed an Ayurvedic drug known as Lasunadya Ghrita (LG), traditionally used for managing mental health conditions such as depression.

The researchers analyzed LG and identified its water-based extract, termed LGWE, as highly effective in disrupting amyloid beta fibrillation—a process central to Alzheimer’s pathology. LGWE was found to inhibit the early formation of oligomers and block fibrillation during the elongation stage. Importantly, LGWE also broke down amyloid aggregates into smaller, non-toxic molecules, surpassing the efficacy of the chemically designed peptides.

According to the researchers, these peptides are non-toxic, serum-stable, and effective in both preventing and reversing amyloid aggregation. However, the natural compounds in LGWE demonstrated superior performance, opening new possibilities for addressing amyloid-related conditions.

Collaborators from the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP), Kolkata, and IIT-Guwahati contributed to the study, published in the journal Biochemistry (ACS). Ayurveda experts from Lucknow University’s State Ayurvedic College and Hospital also provided valuable insights, emphasizing the enhanced efficacy of natural compounds over synthetic alternatives.

The findings underline the potential of Ayurveda as a viable solution for complex neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. By repurposing traditional medicine, the study offers promising avenues for drug development aimed at tackling the molecular underpinnings of these conditions.

The study’s success marks a significant step toward integrating ancient wisdom with modern science to combat Alzheimer’s disease, offering hope to millions worldwide.