Description : | Alzheimer's disease has a complex pathology, which is accompanied by accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Currently there are four drugs (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine and memantine) available in the market for treatment of AD; however, the problem with these drugs is their inability to stop the progression of the disease, they become ineffective after 6-9 months of treatment. Five years ago, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu started a major new initiative to discover drugs/ nutritional supplements for Alzheimer's and dementia from the knowledgebase of Indian medicinal plants. Under this program, IIIM-141 was identified as one of the most effective candidate against Alzheimer's. Institute then performed a systematic study on IIIM-141 (a crocin-rich extract of the stigma of saffron flowers) for its protective as well as therapeutic role in Alzheimer's. This product was then investigated in numerous cellular and animal models, to demonstrate its ability for protecting the neurons and to delay the onset of Alzheimer's. This new product (IIIM-141) showed unique ability to enhance expulsion of toxic amyloid plaques from the brain via multiple mechanisms, using a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's. The product also showed excellent memory enhancing properties in validated with excellent safety profile. The new oral capsule formulation was prepared for slow release of the active ingredients ensuring that the bioactive constituent of this product reaches in the brain, thereby enhancing the clearance of amyloid plaques. Institute has filed a patent on this product and published this study in a major US based journals (ACS Chemical Neuroscience and ACS Omega). The product and formulation technology has now licensed to the Pharmanza Herbals Pvt Ltd for marketing it as nutraceutical product in Indian and US market. This nutraceutical product will be specifically beneficial for people, who are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer's or dementia, including the patients with early onset of disease. |