Monday Aug 4, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, doctors would say.  A study report published this week in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology now suggests that extract of Voacanga africana one African plant may be effective at treating Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and other mental disorders that often follow a stroke.  

The study essentially confirms what traditionally healers claim for Voacanga africana - the herb can decrease inflammation and ease symptoms of mental disorders.  This herb has been used by traditional healers for hundreds or not thousands of years in  São Tomé e Príncipe—an island near the western coast of Africa.

Scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies tested some extracts of the Voacanga africana and found evidence suggesting that extract of the plant protected cells against oxidative stress and prevented DNA damage, which is linked to age-related neurodegeneration, conferred an anti-inflammatory properties and blocked the build-up of beta-amyloid peptides in neurons, which is considered playing a role in Alzheimer's disease.

The scientists further isolated a particular compound from the extract of Voacanga africana named voacamine and found it largely responsible for the plant's anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.  No animal or human trials have yet been performed, but evidence suggests that it can be a pharmaceutical used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson's or stroke.

An estimated five million Americans live with Alzheimer's disease.  No cure is available for the disease at this time while a few number of modifiable risk factors have been identified.  The most important thing to do to prevent Alzheimer’s disease seems use a plant-based diet, which is full of antioxidants, polyphenols and B-vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids animal-derived foods cannot provide.  (David Liu, PHD)