New rosemary-derived compound shows promise for Alzheimer's treatment

Researchers have made progress on a potential Alzheimer's treatment using a compound from common herbs like rosemary and sage. A team from The Scripps Research Institute in the United States studied a derivative of carnosic acid, known as diAcCA. In their experiments, they treated mice with diAcCA for three months. These mice had been modified to show symptoms similar to Alzheimer's disease. The results were promising. The mice showed improved learning and memory skills, along with an increase in synapses, which are vital for brain communication. Additionally, the drug reduced harmful protein buildups, known as amyloid plaques and tau tangles, which are common in Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's disease affects about 7 million people in Europe and is expected to double by 2030 due to an aging population. Stuart Lipton, a professor at Scripps Research, explained that diAcCA helps reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. It also increases synapse numbers and reduces misfolded proteins linked to Alzheimer’s. Unlike carnosic acid, which has a short shelf-life, diAcCA can be taken orally and is better absorbed in the body. The findings indicate that the mice not only slowed their cognitive decline but showed improvement to nearly normal levels. The mice tolerated the treatment well, suggesting it could be a safe option for further research.