Investigation of water-soluble coenzyme-Q10 combined with root extract of ashwagandha as a potential therapy for Alzheimer's Disease
Standing
Undergraduate
Type of Proposal
Oral Presentation
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Siyaram Pandey
Proposal
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in Canada, currently affecting more than 500,000 Canadians. It is associated with a decline in neurocognitive function affecting memory and ability to perform daily tasks leading to severe morbidity. While therapies to reduce AD symptoms exist, there are no treatments that prevent its progression. Associated biochemical causes of AD include: increased oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and accumulation dysfunctional protein leading to formation of plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Current therapies are chemo-modulators where extended use has adverse effects. A multifaceted approach to treatment using natural compounds and extracts that can target multiple pathways simultaneously should be preferable. We hypothesize that combining Ubisol-Q10 and ashwagandha root extract to target mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation could block the progression of AD. We propose to accomplish this using a double transgenic mouse model for AD, containing two defective genes (TgAPEswe, PSEN1dE9) that develop memory deficit and symptoms of AD. Four groups with the following feeding regiments 1) water 2) water-Ubisol-Q10 3) water-ashwagandha extract 4) water-UbisolQ10-ashwagandha extract will be maintained for 15 months. Animals will be tested for memory-related behaviour and will be sacrificed. Brain tissue will be analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Based on previous work, mice in group 4 should have improved memory. The brain tissues of these animals will be sectioned and stained for amyloid beta plaques. In addition, tissues will also be analyzed for oxidative stress, autophagy, and inflammation-related markers using specific antibodies. Ubisol-Q10 leads to significant loss of amyloid beta plaques and improvement in memory-related behaviour (previous results). The combination treatment should have a better outcome. If treatment with Ubisol-Q10 and ashwagandha extract shows better neuroprotective efficacy in the double transgenic AD mouse model, the combination should prove to be a promising therapeutic for those suffering from AD.
Grand Challenges
Viable, Healthy and Safe Communities
Investigation of water-soluble coenzyme-Q10 combined with root extract of ashwagandha as a potential therapy for Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in Canada, currently affecting more than 500,000 Canadians. It is associated with a decline in neurocognitive function affecting memory and ability to perform daily tasks leading to severe morbidity. While therapies to reduce AD symptoms exist, there are no treatments that prevent its progression. Associated biochemical causes of AD include: increased oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and accumulation dysfunctional protein leading to formation of plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Current therapies are chemo-modulators where extended use has adverse effects. A multifaceted approach to treatment using natural compounds and extracts that can target multiple pathways simultaneously should be preferable. We hypothesize that combining Ubisol-Q10 and ashwagandha root extract to target mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation could block the progression of AD. We propose to accomplish this using a double transgenic mouse model for AD, containing two defective genes (TgAPEswe, PSEN1dE9) that develop memory deficit and symptoms of AD. Four groups with the following feeding regiments 1) water 2) water-Ubisol-Q10 3) water-ashwagandha extract 4) water-UbisolQ10-ashwagandha extract will be maintained for 15 months. Animals will be tested for memory-related behaviour and will be sacrificed. Brain tissue will be analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Based on previous work, mice in group 4 should have improved memory. The brain tissues of these animals will be sectioned and stained for amyloid beta plaques. In addition, tissues will also be analyzed for oxidative stress, autophagy, and inflammation-related markers using specific antibodies. Ubisol-Q10 leads to significant loss of amyloid beta plaques and improvement in memory-related behaviour (previous results). The combination treatment should have a better outcome. If treatment with Ubisol-Q10 and ashwagandha extract shows better neuroprotective efficacy in the double transgenic AD mouse model, the combination should prove to be a promising therapeutic for those suffering from AD.