Disease: neurodegenerative disease

Screening of a Fraction with Higher Amyloid β Aggregation Inhibitory Activity from a Library Containing 210 Mushroom Extracts Using a Microliter-Scale High-Throughput Screening System with Quantum Dot Imaging

Researchers screened 210 mushroom species from Japan to find those that could prevent harmful protein clumping in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease. They identified a purified fraction from the mushroom Elfvingia applanata that was more effective than a known anti-Alzheimer’s compound at stopping these protein clumps from forming. The extract also protected nerve cells from damage in laboratory tests. This finding suggests mushrooms could potentially be developed into a functional food to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

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Edible mushrooms as emerging biofactories for natural therapeutics and oral biopharmaceutical delivery

Mushrooms are emerging as natural medicine factories that can be genetically engineered to produce medications taken by mouth. Beyond their traditional use as health foods, scientists are now using advanced genetic techniques to program mushrooms to manufacture therapeutic proteins and vaccines. These engineered mushrooms can naturally package and protect these medications as they pass through the stomach, releasing them safely in the intestines for absorption. This approach offers a sustainable, affordable, and cold-chain-independent alternative to conventional injected medications.

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Therapeutic and Preventive Potential of Plant-Derived Antioxidant Nutraceuticals

This comprehensive review explores how compounds found in plants can protect our bodies from harmful damage caused by oxidative stress, which is linked to aging and various diseases. Plant-based foods rich in antioxidants like berries, leafy greens, and olive oil contain special molecules that can help prevent cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. The review highlights that these natural compounds work through multiple beneficial mechanisms beyond just antioxidant activity, making plant-based diets an effective strategy for maintaining health and preventing disease.

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Microbial links to Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers are investigating whether common infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi might trigger or worsen Alzheimer’s disease. Studies show that pathogens like the bacteria that causes gum disease and certain herpes viruses can reach the brain and trigger inflammation and amyloid-beta accumulation, key features of Alzheimer’s. While the evidence is promising, scientists haven’t yet proven whether these infections cause Alzheimer’s or simply make existing disease worse.

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Microbial links to Alzheimer’s disease

This review examines whether germs like bacteria, fungi, and viruses might play a role in causing Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists have found that certain bacteria from the mouth and gut, fungal infections, and cold sores (herpes viruses) appear more frequently in Alzheimer’s patients and may trigger the brain changes that damage memory and thinking. While the evidence is promising, researchers still need to determine whether these infections actually cause Alzheimer’s or simply make it worse once it develops.

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Neuroprotective properties of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins in 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Scientists studied how Bcl-2 proteins might protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease by controlling calcium levels in nerve cells. They injected modified Bcl-2 proteins into the brains of mice engineered to develop Alzheimer’s symptoms and found that these proteins helped preserve the connections between nerve cells and reduced harmful amyloid plaque buildup. A special version of Bcl-2 that worked primarily on one type of calcium channel was surprisingly most effective at reducing amyloid plaques, suggesting this specific mechanism could be important for treating Alzheimer’s disease.

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β-secretase inhibition prevents structural spine plasticity deficits in AppNL-G-F mice

Researchers tested whether a drug that blocks BACE1 (an enzyme involved in Alzheimer’s disease) could protect nerve cell connections in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. They found that at high doses, the drug significantly improved the formation of new dendritic spines (connection points between neurons) and restored synaptic activity to near-normal levels. These findings suggest that using BACE1 inhibitors early in Alzheimer’s disease development, before widespread neuronal damage occurs, might help prevent cognitive decline.

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Conversion of Soluble Compounds in Distillery Wastewater into Fungal Biomass and Metabolites Using Australian Ganoderma Isolates

Researchers discovered that Ganoderma mushroom mycelium can clean up rum distillery wastewater while producing edible, protein-rich fungal biomass. The mycelium successfully removed harmful compounds from the wastewater and accumulated bioactive compounds with health benefits. This dual-benefit approach transforms an environmental waste problem into a valuable food ingredient, offering a sustainable and economical solution for the distillery industry.

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