Neurodegenerative Impairments
The ailments which result when the cells of the brain or spinal cord are killed for some specific reasons are called neurodegenerative disorders.
Many such impairments of the brain have been found, the most common being Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases.
Alzheimer Disorder
Alzheimer disease is a degenerative neurological condition that impairs the brain's cognitive abilities. Understanding what occurs to the brain as the disease progresses is crucial to comprehending the biology of Alzheimer's.
Proteins accumulate in the brain during Alzheimer's disease and congregate into amyloid plaques which are twisted fibers.
The buildup of these plaques and tangles impairs normal brain function and causes cell death [2].
Risk Factors for Alzheimer Disease
The majority of those who are affected by Alzheimer are older people, and age is by far the biggest risk factor.
The chance of having Alzheimer increases every five years after the age of 65, claims the Alzheimer's Association. Several risk factors have been found by researchers, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and specific medical disorders.
Yet, because Alzheimer's is a complex illness, researchers have been unable to pinpoint a single cause.
Risk genes make the disease more likely to manifest, but they do not ensure it. On the other hand, deterministic genes are uncommon mutations that essentially ensure the onset of Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer disease risk can also be increased by lifestyle choices. A lack of exercise, a diet high in sugar and saturated fats, continual exposure to pollutants, and persistent sleep deprivation are some of these risk factors.
Certain elements may worsen inflammation and affect general brain health. Alzheimer's disease has also been linked to many other disorders, including diabetes and high blood pressure.
In conclusion, it is a neurological condition that largely impairs aging people's cognitive abilities. Amyloid plaque and neurofibrillary tangle accumulation in the brain impair normal function and cause neuronal death [3].
Even though age is the biggest risk factor, many other factors, including genetics, lifestyle decisions, and specific medical problems, all come into play.
Researchers can create strategies that postpone or perhaps stop the disease's beginning by having a better understanding of these elements.
Parkinson’s Disease
The impairment of the brain which leads to imbalance as well as loss of coordination is Parkinson’s disorder.
It occurs when the brain cells stop producing dopamine which is a crucial neurotransmitter controlling coordination.
It is very common worldwide, affecting millions of people.
Many severe symptoms result from this ailment. These keep on worsening with time [4].
The common symptoms include:
Shaking
Stiffness of the body
Difficulty in sleep
Changes in behavior
Memory loss
Fatigue
Anxiety
Treatments for Neurodegenerative Disorders
Multiple therapeutic modalities are available for treating disorders of the brain. These include medications as well as physical therapies.
NMDA inhibitors are commonly used for Alzheimer’s patients in order to alleviate their symptoms by improving their memory.
Similarly, in most cases, physical therapies and interaction with other people also improve the life of the patient so these are recommended.
Similarly, for Parkinson’s disorder, medications are given to the patient in order to improve coordination.
Some herbal medications are also now being used for the treatment of such disorders. but the therapies that are scientifically proven should be preferred [5].
One such herbal compound is EGCG which has the potential to treat these disorders and help in the alleviation of neurological defects symptoms.
EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate)
EGCG is an important compound obtained from a unique plant. It has been found that many health benefits can be obtained from this precious compound.
It can help in many bad health conditions including inflammation, cancer, and heart and brain disorders. This compound is also helpful in weight loss.
It is normally called catechin. Catechins are very important antioxidant compounds. So, it can protect the cells from oxidative damage that may be caused by free radicals in the cells [6].
EGCG is found in many of the foods that are in our daily use. Some of these foods containing EGCG include:
Nuts including pistachios and pecans.
Tea (black, green, and white)
Some fruits include strawberries, blackberries, pears, cherries, peaches, apples, and avocados.
It is also found in dark chocolate, red wine, and legumes.
EGCG is a well-researched catechin with a lot of health benefits for humans.
Research has also proven it to be very beneficial for maintaining normal body weight and helping in reducing weight in many disorders. Many experiments have been performed for this purpose that will be discussed later in this article.
Significance of EGCG
Many bad health conditions can be treated using this precious compound.
The most common health benefits that can be obtained from this compound include:
It is an anti-aging compound.
It helps in weight loss.
Promotes osteogenesis.
Boosts the metabolism of the body.
Killing of malignant cells.
It boosts the immune system of the body.
Reduces oxidative stress.
Reduces inflammation.
It maintains healthy skin.
Help with cardiovascular disorders.
Neuroprotective properties.
It is an anti-allergy compound.
It has anti-microbial properties.
Improves the cognitive functions of the body.
EGCG is an important compound that helps in the treatment of many disorders and works via different mechanisms of action in the body.
The most common ways by which EGCG can help the body improve its health conditions are as follows:
One of the most prevalent and dangerous illnesses affecting humans is cancer. Both the scientific community and the general public have paid close attention to EGCG as a natural substance.
The process of oxidation is crucial to maintaining the body's health. We categorize EGCG as an antioxidant based on the chemical structure of the compound. The ring structure in the ECGC traps the free electrons and prevents the formation of reactive oxygen species. It also possesses anti-inflammatory action by targeting the NF-KB pathway and increasing the anti-inflammatory substance’s gene expression [7].
Moreover, EGCG has demonstrated therapeutic and preventative effects in a variety of human malignancies. Several theories have been put out to explain how EGCG inhibits the development and spread of cancer.
The prooxidant effects of EGCG were considered to represent possible anticancer action mechanisms. Depending on the cell type, dosage, and/or timing of the therapy, several anticancer strategies were used.
Several research studies have looked at the mechanisms behind the anti-obesity benefits of EGCG in both cellular and animal models. It can reduce weight through its fat-burning property.
Several skincare treatments for anti-aging contain green tea extract or EGCG. This is so that the chemical can promote young and healthy-looking skin by increasing skin elasticity. Minimizing wrinkles, enhancing moisture retention, and improving skin texture, also slows down the aging process of the skin [8].
EGCG and Neurological Disorders
Studies have been performed and multiple characteristics of EGCG have been studied that make it significant in protecting the brain and treating neurological impairments.
Some of the major properties of EGCG that make it a promising compound in neuroprotection are as follows:
It has been found through research studies that EGCG has a crucial role in stimulating the production of neurotrophic factors from the brain called BDNF. This factor has a role in protecting neurons and increasing their growth. This in turn can help prevent several disorders of the brain [9].
Moreover, EGCG has also a role in inhibiting the accumulation of certain harmful proteins in the brain which can lead to many impairments. One such protein is tau protein and if it gets accumulated in the brain, it can cause Alzheimer disorder. So, EGCG can help in the prevention as well as treatment of such illnesses.
It is also found that EGCG has crucial roles in improving the function of mitochondria. By doing so, it can help in preventing many impairments of the brain as well as the aging effects in the brain are reduced by using this crucial compound.
Many neurological impairments result from inflammation in the brain. EGCG has been found to have strong anti-inflammatory action. It can reduce inflammation in the brain and so can help to treat such impairments. Even chronic disorders in the brain can also be treated using this crucial compound [10].
EGCG also has antioxidant action and can protect the brain cells from damage caused by oxidative stress. Thus, EGCG can repair the damage of brain cells in many illnesses as well as protect these cells from being damaged, and ultimately prevents neurological impairments.
So, by acting through any of these processes, EGCG can play an important role in neuroprotection and helps in the prevention as well as cure of certain disorders of the brain [11].
Preclinical and Clinical Trials Data
Many experimental studies have been performed to check the safety and efficacy of EGCG in neuroprotection and treatment of neuronal impairments. These studies were performed on many animal models as well as on human patients with brain disorders and significant results have been observed in all these studies.
A study was performed on animal models with Alzheimer disorder. These animals were given EGCG, and results showed that this compound inhibited the accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brains of these animals. Moreover, it also reduced inflammation and alleviated all symptoms of the disorder [12].
Another preclinical study was performed in animal models with Parkinson disorder. These animals were also given EGCG for a specific time period. It was seen that the neurons which produce dopamine were protected by this compound. So, EGCG improved the health conditions of these animals by stimulating the formation of dopamine and alleviating their symptoms with no side effects.
A study was also performed on animal models with multiple sclerosis who were treated with EGCG. In this case, EGCG again showed positive outcomes by stimulating the formation of the myelin sheath and reducing inflammation in the brains of these animals.
Thus, EGCG has shown significant results in all the preclinical studies of neuronal impairments. Similar studies were also performed on human patients with such illnesses and the safety and efficacy of EGCG were seen in humans as well [13].
A clinical study was performed on human patients having Alzheimer disorder. These patients were randomly given either a placebo as a control or an EGCG compound. The results were significant in patients treated with EGCG as this compound reduced the plaques in their brains and reduced all the symptoms as well compared to the control patients.
Another study was performed on patients with multiple sclerosis disorder. When these patients were treated with the EGCG compound, positive outcomes were observed as all the symptoms of the disorder disappeared soon after the treatment in these patients. Moreover, no side effects were found.
A study was performed to check the effectiveness of EGCG in autism disorder. This study is comprised of children patients having autism. They were randomly given either a placebo or an EGCG compound. The results showed that the children who were given EGCG had improved behaviors and their social interactions were also significantly increased as compared to the patients who were given a placebo [14].
A clinical study was also performed o patients with Parkinson illness. These were treated with EGCG compound for a specific time and significant results were seen. All symptoms in these patients disappeared and no side effects were observed.
So, from these scientific studies, it is proven that EGCG is a promising therapy for almost all neurological impairments. It can help treat these illnesses and also improves brain health by protecting it from such impairments.
댓글