ADVANCES IN THE TREATMENT OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS INVESTIGATING THE EFFICACY OF NATURAL COMPOUNDS IN ANTI-CANCER THERAPY.
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Keywords
Neurodegenerative diseases, Plant derived compound, Anti-cancer, Oxidative stress
Abstract
Background: Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are examples of neurodegenerative diseases and these diseases are chronic, disabling diseases. Compounds in nature seem to have a potent effect in combating neuronal degeneration. These same compounds have also been looked at for cancer-fighting properties because they appear to interact with cellular oxidative stress and inflammation, the same mechanisms that lead to cancer cells growth, offering a potential two-for-one therapy.
Objectives: To assess potential and effectiveness of natural compounds in neuroprotection and anti-cancer therapy and its interaction with patients with neurodegenerative diseases as well as cancer indicators.
Study Design : A Cross sectional study.
Duration and Place of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Watim Medical and Dental College, Rawalpindi from January 2021 to July 2021.
Methods: One hundred patients with either Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease were selected for a Cross sectional study. These patients were randomly assigned to natural compound administration group and placebo group for 12 months. Biomarkers associated with neurodegeneration and cancer namely oxidative stress levels, inflammation markers and apoptosis were determined. For the purpose of evaluation of the treatment effectiveness, statistical treatment involved use of standard deviation and the p-value.
Results: The natural compound group had less oxidative stress (mean ± SD =20. 4 ± 3.1, p < 0.01) compared to the placebo group of 28. 7 ± 3.8. Serum specific inflammatory markers were reduced by about 15% in the treatment arm of the study and apoptosis rates were significantly by about 12% in the treatment arm compared to the control arm (p = 0.02). In the treatment group, cognitive function enhanced by 8%, most likely due to Reboxetine, while no such enhancement was accomplished in the placebo group.
Conclusions: Natural compounds revealed prominent neuroprotection, antitumor activity, decreased post-treatment oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Based on these findings, these compounds may be potentially useful dual-function agents in neurodegenerative disorders and cancer treatment with future directions for clinical studies.
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Adnan Bashir
Associate Professor Pharmacology, Watim Medical and Dental College, Rawalpindi
Sohail Iqbal
Associate Professor, Muhammad College of Medicine, Peshawar
Rao Salman Aziz
Associate Professor Pharmacology, Rashid Latif Medical & Dental College, Lahore
Usman Saeed
Associate Professor Pharmacology, Fatima Memorial College of Medicine and Dentistry, Lahore