Look what’s fighting Alzheimer’s in India: Haldi

Alzheimer’s is an irreversible brain disorder that progresses gradually and results in memory loss, unusual behavior, personality changes, and a decline in thinking abilities. The gradual decline, scientists believe, is related to the death of brain cells and breakdown of connections between them.

The prevalence of Alzheimer’s among adults aged 70-79 in India is 4.4 times less than the rate in the United States.

The study published in the prestigious Journal of Biological Chemistry suggests that curcumin inhibits the accumulation of destructive beta amyloids—inert substances responsible for Alzheimer’s—in patients’ brains and breaks up existing plaques.

Haldi, the researchers found, is a powerful anti-oxidant and possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which help fight Alzheimer’s symptoms.

The study, involving genetically-altered mice, has suggested that curcumin is also much more effective in inhibiting formation of protein fragments than many other drugs currently being tested to beat Alzheimer’s.

The researchers found that the low molecular weight and polar structure of curcumin allow it to penetrate the blood-brain barrier more effectively.

The success in animal models has now prompted the researchers to go for human trials, so that a safe dosage can be worked out.

In India, curcumin has been used for thousands of years as an anti-inflammatory agent and for a variety of ailments apart from its traditional roles as a food dye and preservative.

Says Dr Anoop Misra, Professor of Medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS): ‘‘Some studies had shown the strong antiseptic effects of curcumin, which we already knew in India. This is, however, a major discovery. Though we are not sure whether this is the only reason for low prevalence of the disease in India or is it that people in the West live longer. But the study shows this can be a major factor.’’

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementing illness among middle and older adults, affecting more than 4 million Americans and many millions worldwide.