Algae Compound Promising for Alzheimer's

A compound isolated from a cyanobacterium, a type of blue-green algae known as Nostoc, may have potential to become a natural drug candidate for fighting Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders, according to an in vitro study by Swiss researchers.

It is believed to be the first time that a potent agent against AD has been isolated from cyanobacteria, commonly known as "pond scum.” The study was published in the December 26, 2005, issue of the Journal of Natural Products. Cyanobacteria and other marine natural compounds have been increasingly demonstrated to be a promising source of drug candidates for combating a host of human diseases, including cancer and bacterial infections, but their chemistry has been largely unevaluated. Now, a common marine organism could lead to yet another potential health benefit, according to study leader Karl Gademann, Ph.D., an organic chemist at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) (Zürich, Switzerland; www.ethz.ch). Dr.Gademann's lab concentrates on identifying, synthesizing, and assessing new bioactive compounds from natural sources.

There is currently no cure for AD, although cholinesterase inhibitors have shown promise for delaying or preventing the symptoms of mild-to-moderate forms of the disease. The newly isolated compound, nostocarboline, has been shown to be a powerful suppressor of cholinesterase--a brain chemical believed to be critical for memory and thinking--whose breakdown has been associated with the disease's progression. The natural compound's potency is comparable to galanthamine, a cholinesterase inhibitor already approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's, according to the investigators.

As with any promising structure, it could be a long time before the new compound is tested as a drug candidate in humans, the scientists cautioned.





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Swiss Federal Institute of Technology