Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia [1], which impact is presently moderate if we consider the future forecasts, as they predicted that 1 in 85 people or 1,75% will be affected by Alzheimer's disease by 2050 [1,2]. The World Health Organization (WHO) calculated the total amount of people affected by Alzheimer's disease would be about 25 million worldwide by 2025 [3], actual figures estimate that today, that amount has reached the incredible figure of 33.9 million! people affected by Alzheimer's disease [4], and foreseen to triple in the coming 40 years, affecting some 800,000 people in the UK alone [7].

In spite Alzheimer's disease can occur at any age, it is very seldom that cases are reported between the age of 40 to 50 years, and chances to get affected by Alzheimer's disease are increasing between 60 and 65 years old.

The University of Leeds published an article in the Journal of Biological Chemistry about their findings on how these two compounds, namely Resveratrol from red wine and green tea active constituent epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) [7] can prevent the deposition of  β-amyloid plaques and prevent Alzheimer's disease. Image left: Tea harvest by Oli Studholme under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0).

CAMELIA SINENSIS

Family: Teaceae
Genus: Camelia
Common name: Green tea

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), is a non-flavonoid polyphenol [6] naturally occurring in several foods and plants as red grapes (Vitis vinifera), where it is primarily found in the skin but also in its seeds, and also in the roots of hellebore (Veratrum album), from where it was originally isolated by Takaoka back in 1940 [7], and in more than other 70 plant species, among which we can mention berries and peanuts [1].

In spite nowadays it is widely known that Resveratrol may exert many health benefits, as for example stop breast cancer cell growth, increase longevity, be cardioprotective, neuroprotective [2], to treat pain, inflammation, tissue injury and even beneficial against coronary heart disease [1], something that was only found back in 1992, to reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer's disease and since now another one, its susceptibility to be used as a radiation enhancer in the treatment of prostate cancer cells.

A University of Missouri researcher has discovered that Resveratrol can make prostate tumor cells more susceptible to radiation treatment, increasing the chances of a full recovery from all types of prostate cancer, including aggressive tumors. Image: Red grapes by Danny Molyneux under Creative Common license (CC BY 2.0).

RESVERATROL

Formula: 3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene
Occurrence: Red grapes, berries, peanuts, hellebore

What is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), is a non-flavonoid polyphenol [6] naturally occurring in several foods and plants as red grapes (Vitis vinifera), where it is primarily found in the skin but also in its seeds, and also in the roots of hellebore (Veratrum album), from where it was originally isolated by Takaoka back in 1940 [7], and in more than other 70 plant species, among which we can mention berries and peanuts [1].

In spite nowadays it is widely known that resveratrol may exert many health benefits, as for example stop breast cancer cell growth, increase longevity, be cardioprotective, neuroprotective [2], to treat pain, inflammation, tissue injury and even beneficial against coronary heart disease [1], something that was only found back in 1992, it hasn't been until recently that resveratrol properties to reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer's disease got such evidence of effectiveness.

RESVERATROL

Formula: 3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene
Occurrence: Red grapes, berries, peanuts, hellebore

A rough estimation of the World Health Organization (WHO) calculated the total amount of people affected by Alzheimer's disease would be about 25 million worldwide by 2025 [6], actual figures estimate that today, 2012, that amount has reached the incredible figure of 33.9 million! people affected by Alzheimer's disease [7], and foreseen to triple in the coming 40 years. In spite Alzheimer's disease can occur at any age, it is very seldom that cases are reported between the age of 40 to 50 years, and chances to get affected by Alzheimer's disease are increasing between 60 and 65 years old.

Many lines of investigation to prevent and even treat Alzheimer's disease are open, some of them involving natural molecules and phytochemicals found in herbs and plants. But, what are the past, present and future lines of investigation on the field Alzheimer's disease involving the use of these natural molecules and phytochemicals found in herbs and plants? This article covers the principle lines of investigation involving the latests findings on active constituents found in herbs and plants.