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February 2025 – Researchers at The University of Alabama have uncovered promising results in the search for new treatments for Parkinson’s disease. A compound known as Gardenin A, which was initially shown to have beneficial effects in fruit flies, has now demonstrated neuroprotective properties in mice. This research, a collaboration with scientists at Oregon Health and Science University, could lead to the development of preventative therapies or treatments for Parkinson’s in humans.
The findings, published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, offer hope for those battling the debilitating cognitive and motor symptoms of Parkinson’s. The study was led by Dr. Lukasz Ciesla, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, and Dr. Urmila Maitra, a researcher in his lab. Gardenin A, a flavonoid compound found in a common South Asian shrub, showed significant promise in reducing both cognitive and motor impairments associated with Parkinson’s disease.
The research extends earlier studies that tested various flavonoids—natural plant compounds thought to have health benefits—in fruit flies. The next step involved analyzing tissue samples from Oregon Health and Science University to further assess the potential of these compounds for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.
Dr. Ciesla explained, “A few years ago, a study found that certain diets could reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Much of the focus was on flavonoids, but we didn’t know why they had this protective effect.” While several flavonoids showed potential in fruit fly models, Gardenin A stood out as the most promising candidate, showing neuroprotective effects when tested in mice.
Genetic and Environmental Influences
One of the key advancements in this study was the use of a genetic model to examine the effects of Gardenin A. Previous studies relied on toxin-induced models to simulate Parkinson’s disease. The new findings revealed that the compound provided benefits in both genetic and toxin-induced models, highlighting its broad potential as a therapeutic agent. This is significant because both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the onset of Parkinson’s, and a successful treatment must be effective across these variables.
“We call this a gene-environment interaction,” Dr. Ciesla said. “A specific genetic background can make someone more or less susceptible to environmental factors like toxins, which are linked to Parkinson’s development.”
Dr. Ciesla plans to expand his research into other neurodegenerative diseases, including Lewy body dementia, due to Gardenin A’s potential to improve memory-related symptoms.
Improving Mobility and Memory
Parkinson’s disease is often characterized by motor dysfunction, but Dr. Ciesla’s team found that Gardenin A not only improved the movement of mice but also showed positive effects on memory. This is a notable finding, as current treatments for Parkinson’s typically focus on motor symptoms and do not address cognitive decline.
“There’s currently no treatment for Parkinson’s that improves both motor and cognitive symptoms simultaneously,” Dr. Ciesla said. “This compound shows real promise in addressing both aspects of the disease.”
Gardenin A appears to resolve neuroinflammation, a key factor in neurodegeneration, which may explain its protective effects. Unlike Gardenin B, a related compound with antioxidant properties but lacking anti-inflammatory effects, Gardenin A showed the ability to reduce neuroinflammatory markers and improve brain health.
Dr. Ciesla emphasized that these findings mark an important step in leveraging nature’s compounds to better understand and treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Disclaimer
The findings reported in this article are based on animal model studies and further research is required before Gardenin A can be considered for clinical use in humans. These early results are promising, but human clinical trials are necessary to determine the safety and efficacy of Gardenin A as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Always consult a medical professional for advice regarding health conditions and treatments.
