Substance from coffee against Alzheimer"s: scientists" discovery

Scientists from four leading Russian scientific centers have developed revolutionary molecules based on pyrocatechin, which could make a breakthrough in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation reported.

As TUT.AZ reports, citing "Gazeta.Ru", pyrocatechin, first discovered by scientists back in 1839, is widely distributed in nature - from wood and resins to your daily cup of coffee, and is famous for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

The research team created unique inhibitor molecules that effectively block the activity of the butyrylcholinesterase enzyme (BChE) - one of the key culprits in the development of Alzheimer's disease. By reducing the activity of this enzyme, vital neurotransmitters accumulate in the brain, providing connections between nerve cells and necessary for normal memory functioning.

The special feature of the new compounds lies in their slow but stable action: gradually binding with the enzyme, they reduce its activity over a long period. This mechanism allows for a significant reduction in the required dose of the medication while maintaining the therapeutic effect - a critically important factor in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases that require maintaining stable concentrations of active substances.

Impressive experimental results showed that the new molecules can block the enzyme for 7.8 minutes even at a minimal concentration of only 8 mg/l.

The main advantage of this development is its comprehensive impact on several mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease development. Unlike currently used drugs - donepezil and rivastigmine, which are limited in effectiveness and have serious side effects - the new compounds promise to be safer, more selective, and more effective. Scientists characterize their discovery as a crucial step toward creating next-generation drugs for millions of patients with Alzheimer's disease.