A cup of ruby red hibiscus tea not only warms the body in winter but is also known to boost the immune system, control blood pressure, and reduce body weight.
Now in a study from Pohang University of Science & Technology, scientists found there is another reason to enjoy this tea—it may help combat Alzheimer’s disease.
They found that the gossypetin found in hibiscus activates microglia, the resident immune cell in the brain.
The team also showed that microglia scavenge amyloid-beta (Aβ) in the brain to ameliorate cognitive impairments brought on by Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
AD begins as Aβ and Tau protein aggregates form deposits in the brain tissue. Microglia internalize such aggregates (phagocytosis) to protect the brain.
However, incessant exposure to Aβ will ultimately exhaust the microglia, leading to a chronic inflammatory reaction and damage in the nerve cells. As a result, the victim suffers cognitive decline and memory loss.
In the study, the team looked for a new AD treatment without serious side effects. They focused on gossypetin, a flavonoid compound found in hibiscus, also known as Hibiscus sabdariffa or roselle.
They treated AD model mice with gossypetin through intragastric administration for three months and concluded that their impaired memory and cognition were almost restored to the normal level.
Furthermore, they saw a decrease in the various types of Aβ aggregates, which are commonly found in the brain tissue with AD-type dementia.
Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis showed that gossypetin prevented the expression of genes associated with gliosis, which promotes chronic inflammatory reactions while increasing the expression of genes associated with Aβ phagocytosis.
In other words, gossypetin facilitated microglia’s Aβ clearance.
This study confirmed that removing Aβ aggregates deposited in the brain is effective in preventing and treating dementia.
Gossypetin from hibiscus will contribute to the development of a safe and affordable drug for patients suffering from AD.
Clinical trials are planned for developing dementia prevention and treatment that use gossypetin.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about the cause of Alzheimer’s disease in human brain, and this common cancer drug may help reverse Alzheimer’s symptoms.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, and results showing how to sleep to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
The study was conducted by Professor Kyong-Tai Kim et al and published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy.
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