Morinda officinalis How.: A Traditional Chinese Medicine with Neuroprotective Powers

Published on September 8, 2022

Just like a superhero with a special power, Morinda officinalis How. (MO), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to have neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). MO has a rich history and is used to strengthen the kidney’s Yang energy. Think of it as providing armor against AD. Through laboratory experiments and studies in living organisms, researchers have discovered that MO contains a variety of beneficial substances like oligosaccharides, anthraquinones, iridoids, flavonoids, amino acids, and trace elements. These components give MO its unique anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In AD, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress play a major role in the progression of the disease. It’s like having two villains causing chaos in the brain. But fear not! MO’s active components, such as oligosaccharides, anthraquinones, and iridoid glycosides, step up to fight against these villains by reducing inflammation and protecting against oxidative damage. The research discussed in this mini-review explores the molecular mechanisms behind MO’s actions and provides a scientific foundation for further utilizing this amazing superhero-like Chinese medicine. Ready to dive deeper into the world of MO? Check out the full article!

Pharmacological studies have shown that some traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have applications in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Morinda officinalis How. (MO) is a TCM with a long history and is widely used to tonify kidney Yang. In vitro and in vivo experiments have suggested that MO contains various effective pharmaceutical components and chemicals, including oligosaccharides, anthraquinones, iridoids, flavonoids, amino acids, and trace elements, conferring MO with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are undoubtedly hallmarks of neurodegeneration, contributing to AD progression. In this mini-review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms, structure-activity relationships, and potential synergistic and antagonistic effects of active components in MO. This discussion highlights the roles of these active components, such as oligosaccharides, anthraquinones, and iridoid glycosides, in the treatment of AD via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms, providing a scientific basis for further utilization of MO.

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