Herbal Derivative Supports Cognitive Function

By VRP Staff

A recently published study investigated the effect of an herbal derivative in an experimental model of Alzheimer’s disease. It is currently estimated that 2.4 to 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and it is increasing in prevalence.

In this new study, researchers evaluated the effect of vinpocetine on dementia in a rat model; vinpocetine is a natural substance derived from the Periwinkle constituent vincamine. Rats were treated with streptozotocin to induce an Alzheimer’s-type of dementia. Streptozotocin exposure impaired learning and memory, plus it increased oxidative and nitrogen free radical damage. Streptozotocin also decreased cholinergic function as measured by an increase in acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity, which breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Concentrations of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine are significantly reduced in Alzheimer’s disease patients. Streptozotocin treated rats had increased levels of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which correlates with the degree of cellular injury to brain cells such as neurons.

The results showed that vinpocetine treatment for 21 days following the streptozotocin infusion significantly improved learning, memory and passive avoidance. Additionally, vinpocetine treatment significantly decreased malondialdehyde and nitrite levels, which are markers of oxidative and nitrosative stress. Vinpocetine also restored levels of reduced glutathione, which is the active form of this potent antioxidant. Vinpocetine significantly reduced the streptozotocin-induced increases in acetylcholinesterase and lactate dehydrogenase, indicating restoration of cholinergic functions and prevention of damage to the neurons.

The study authors concluded, “The observed beneficial effects of vinpocetine on spatial memory may be due to its ability to favorably modulate cholinergic functions, prevent neuronal cell damage and possibly through its antioxidant mechanism also.”

Reference:

Deshmukh R, Sharma V, Mehan S, Sharma N, Bedi KL. Amelioration of intracerebroventricular streptozotocin induced cognitive dysfunction and oxidative stress by vinpocetine—a PDE1 inhibitor. Eur J Pharmacol. 2009 Oct 12;620(1-3):49-56.

Vinpocetine is available as a stand-alone supplement and is also found with synergistic ingredients in Extension IQ^™.