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Plant compound found in
spices, herbs increases brain connections

Flavonoid apigenin has
potential to treat diseases like schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer’s and
Parkinson’s

Apigenin, a
substance found in parsley, thyme, chamomile and red pepper, improves neuron
formation and strengthens the connections between brain cells, new lab research
demonstrates

The neurons treated with
apigenin (right) show more formation of synapses (red) than the neurons that
were not treated.

Brazilian researchers from
D’Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Federal University of Rio de
Janeiro (UFRJ) and Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) have demonstrated in
laboratory that apigenin, a substance found in parsley, thyme, chamomile and
red pepper, improves neuron formation and strengthens the connections between
brain cells.

Previous experiments with
animals had already shown that substances from the same chemical group as the
apigenin, known as flavonoids, positively affect memory and learning. Many
studies highlight the potential of flavonoids to preserve and enhance brain
function. While the effectiveness of flavonoids for brain health is not an
entirely new concept, this research is the first to show the positive effects
of apigegin directly on human cells and the first to unraveling its mechanism.

The scientists observed that
just by applying apigenin to human stem cells in a dish they become neurons
after 25 days — an effect they would not see without the substance. Moreover,
the neurons that were formed made stronger and sophisticated connections among
themselves after being treated with this natural compound.

“Strong connections
between neurons are crucial for good brain function, memory consolidation and
learning,” says neuroscientist from IDOR and UFRJ Stevens Rehen, leader
author of the paper published in Advances in Regenerative Biology.

The research team conducted
by Rehen demonstrated that apigenin works by binding to estrogen receptors,
which affect the development, maturation, function, and plasticity of the
nervous system. This group of hormones is known to delay the onset of
psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders such as schizophrenia, depression,
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. However, the use of estrogen-based
therapies is limited by the increased risk of estrogen-dependent tumors and
cardiovascular problems.

Researchers believe apigenin
can be used as an alternative approach on future treatments for
neurodegenerative diseases as well as in neuronal differentiation strategies in
laboratory.

“We show a new path for
new studies with this substance,” points out Rehen. “Moreover,
flavonoids are present at high amounts in some foods and we can speculate that
a diet rich in flavonoids may influence the formation of neurons and the way
they communicate within the brain.”

Cleide
S. Souza, Bruna S. Paulsen, Sylvie Devalle, Silvia Lima Costa, Helena L.
Borges, Stevens K. Rehen. Commitment of human pluripotent stem cells to a
neural lineage is induced by the pro-estrogenic flavonoid
apigenin. Advances in Regenerative Biology, 2015; 2 (0) DOI: 10.3402/arb.v2.29244

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