FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ACS News Service Weekly PressPac: January 28, 2015
Beer compound could help fend off Alzheimer鈥檚 and Parkinson鈥檚 diseases
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Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
The health-promoting perks of wine have attracted the spotlight recently, leaving beer in the shadows. But scientists are discovering new ways in which the latter could be a more healthful beverage than once thought. They鈥檙e now reporting in ACS鈥� Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that a compound from hops could protect brain cells from damage 鈥� and potentially slow the development of disorders such as Alzheimer鈥檚 and Parkinson鈥檚 diseases.
Jianguo Fang and colleagues note that mounting evidence suggests that oxidative damage to neuronal cells contributes to the development of diseases that originate in the brain. If scientists could find a way to guard these cells from this type of damage, they might be able to help prevent or slow down Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, Parkinson鈥檚 disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. One compound found in hops, called xanthohumol, has gotten the attention of researchers for its potential benefits, including antioxidation, cardiovascular protection and anticancer properties. Fang鈥檚 team decided to test xanthohumol鈥檚 effects on brain cells.
In lab tests, the researchers found that the compound could protect neuronal cells and potentially help slow the development of brain disorders. The scientists conclude xanthohumol could be a good candidate for fighting such conditions.
The authors acknowledge funding from and the Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province.