Spruce extract in Alzheimer's

Naturopathy study Spruce extract effective in Alzheimer's

17/10/2012

Gingko biloba as an anti-dementive has been discussed for a long time and has also been used in everyday practice. Now there are results of a study that focuses on the use of spruce extract in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's is the most prevalent form of dementia. An important role in the development of the disease play plaque deposits of small, degenerate protein molecules (beta-amyloid peptides) in the brain. Rats with such deposits in the brain were treated in a study with a spruce extract (Picea abies) and then showed improved cognitive abilities.

The rats were randomized to the experimental groups. They were either treated with spruce extract, placebo or not at all. Thereafter, various experiments were performed to assess the cognitive performance of the rats.

The memory of the treatment group was improved by 90 percent compared to the placebo group and indistinguishable from the healthy control group. The ability to learn in the treated animals was also far better (about 75%). The general behavior (activity, grooming, raising of the animals) in the treatment group hardly differed from that of the healthy control animals. In the placebo group, it deviated significantly. The spruce extract thus clearly counteracted typical Alzheimer's symptoms in the rats.

The case numbers of the study were low, but due to the positive results, it is certainly worth pursuing this research approach. Source: Fedotova J et al. Cognitive deficiency in a rat model of beta-amyloid peptide- (25-35) -induced amnesia. Roprene is a polyprenol preparation from coniferous plants. Phytomedicine. 2012 Mar 15; 19 (5): 451-6

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