Drug from the root of rosacea strengthens memory and protects it as it ages

Rose root ingredient counteracts the loss of memory

Rose root (Rhodiola rosea) is used in natural medicine to boost mental performance and counteract the increasing forgetfulness of old age. Why rose root has this effect on humans was previously unknown. For the first time, a German research team deciphered the secret of the rose root plant and found the memory-enhancing substance. From this drug can now be developed, which counteract an age-related decrease in memory.

Researchers from the Leibniz Institutes of Neurobiology (LIN) and Plant Biochemistry (IPB) recently discovered an active ingredient in rose root that can increase mental performance. Rose root is already used in natural preparations. The underlying drug was previously unknown. From the drug could be the first effective drug for age-related memory impairment or even against dementia diseases such as Alzheimer's. The study results were recently published in the journal "Science Advances".

It has long been known in naturopathy that extracts of rose root can increase mental performance. A German research team now decoded which active ingredient in the plant is responsible for this effect. (Image: emer / fotolia.com)

Long known, but understood for the first time

The average age in our society is steadily increasing - but also the diseases associated with age-related mental decline. So far, there is no effective drug to counteract this. For a long time, the rhizomes have been known to have a memory-enhancing effect in natural medicine. It is used, for example, in conditions of chronic fatigue. The research team around Dr. Birgit Michels now demonstrated the performance-enhancing effect in a study and found the underlying active ingredient in the medicinal plant.

Without active ingredient no medication

"In order to harness this knowledge for medicine, we wanted to find out which specific active ingredients from Rhodiola improve memory," the expert reports in a press release on the study results. Without identified active ingredient, neither targeted dosage nor effective plant cultivation is possible. Even a meaningful quality control would be difficult. These are all prerequisites without which drug development can not take place.

Rose root already available as a plant preparation

Numerous memory enhancement products containing rosacea are already available on the market. "However, these may be inactive due to fluctuating drug concentrations or lead to incorrect dosages," write the researchers of the Leibniz Institutes. Here neither effect nor side effect of the patient or the doctor are comprehensible.

Fly larvae helped with the discovery

In extensive bioassays, the scientists isolated the individual active ingredients of the rose root and tested them on fly larvae. In this case, the substance ferulic acid-eicosyl ester (FAE-20) crystallized, which promotes memory. "Although it is chemically a structurally simple molecule, the identification as an effective component in the plant extract was very tedious," says Professor. Ludger Wessjohann the student work. The team had to relate hundreds of natural products from the plant to a possible mental performance enhancement.

Aging flies and mice would recommend rose root

"Next, we were interested in whether memory can be improved even with aging flies," adds Professor Dr. med. Bertram Gerber added. The researchers were able to show that aged fruit flies, which had the FAE-20 active ingredient in the feed, had a memory improved by a third, compared to conspecifics who had no access to the drug. The team was able to show the same effect in aging mice as well.

What is the effect on humans?

In the animal model, the research team clearly demonstrated the improved memory performance of the rootwort drug FAE-20. The team considers a quick usability for humans to be probable, especially since rose root is already used in natural medicine. "From our results with FAE-20 in animals, the transferability back to humans is therefore likely," summarize the researchers. Now it is to be examined whether the medicinal active substance is also suitable for dementia therapy. (Vb)