The “Chinese Rose” Cure for Alzheimer’s?
There’s a lot we don’t know about Alzheimer’s.
But we DO know that the accumulation of toxic plaques in the brain contributes to the cognitive decline associated with the disease.
Big Pharma continues to search for ways to clear out those compounds. (Unfortunately, with little success.) But, as with many things, it looks like Nature is already one step ahead.
Because according to the results of a recent study, a tropical plant known as the “Chinese Rose” could hold the key to defeating Alzheimer’s.
Toxic beta-amyloid plaques build up in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. As it accumulates, it prevents neurons from communicating with one another.
And this leads to the devastating cognitive decline and memory loss we see with the disease.
But researchers have identified a plant compound in a species of hibiscus plant that can CLEAR OUT beta-amyloid plaques from the brain.
In Alzheimer’s disease mouse model, gossypetin, a compound in the flower of the roselle plant, reduced the size and amount of beta-amyloid plaques in areas of the brain involved in cognition (the hippocampus and cortex).
Even more exciting is the compound reduced cognitive deficits in spatial learning and memory.
In other words, the roselle extract REVERSED some of the damage caused by the disease.
Now, keep in mind this was a mouse model of Alzheimer’s. And it focused specifically on the familial form of the disease, which only accounts for 5 percent of cases.
We will need to wait for more research to see how it performs with other forms of Alzheimer’s. So it’s far too soon to say they’ve found a cure for humans.
But their research has identified a huge ray of hope as we search for an answer. And in my book, that’s always worth sharing.
Several roselle hibiscus supplements and extracts are already available online. I suggest discussing if one is appropriate for you or a loved one with your doctor.
P.S. Hibiscus doesn’t just show promise against dementia. Earlier research found the flower can help drive down high blood pressure. Find out what forms worked here.
SOURCE:
“Gossypetin ameliorates 5xFAD spatial learning and memory through enhanced phagocytosis against Aβ.” Alz Res Therapy 14, 158 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-022-01096-3
