Exploring the potential of a member of the forget-me-not family in treating neurodegenerative disorders

A group of researchers from the University of Malakand, Karachi University, and Kohat University of Science and Technology in Pakistan showed that Nonea micrantha Bioss. & Reut is potentially effective against neurodegenerative disorders. The study, which was published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, looked into the anticholinesterase and antioxidant activity of N. micrantha extracts.

• N. micrantha belongs to the Boraginaceae family of plants, which have been shown to have potent antioxidant properties. Members of this family have been used to treat sore throat, toothache, liver and stomach problems, and inflammation.
• For this experiment, methanol extract, as well as hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, aqueous, and crude saponin fractions from N. micrantha were used.
• Samples were subjected to gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS).
• Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities were determined using Ellman’s assay.
• Antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) free radical scavenging activities, total reducing power assay, and qualitative antioxidant assay.

These results showed that N. micrantha contains antioxidant and anticholinesterase compounds that can be isolated and further investigated for use in treatments against neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amnesia, and dementia.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

Learn more about other plants that can treat neurodegenerative disorders by visiting Herbs.news today.

Journal Reference:

Imran M, Ullah F, Ayaz M, Sadiq A, Shah MR, Jan MS, Ullah F. ANTICHOLINESTERASE AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIALS OF NONEA MICRANTHA BIOSS. & REUT ALONG WITH GC-MS ANALYSIS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 23 November 2017;17(499). DOI:10.1186/s12906-017-2004-9