Indian researchers have developed a nanoparticle-based multi-target therapy that could offer a more effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease by simultaneously addressing multiple pathological mechanisms of the condition.
The study, led by scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, with contributions from experts at NIPER Raebareli and Gujarat Biotechnology University, created a multifunctional nanoplatform that integrates an antioxidant from green tea, a neurotransmitter and an amino acid to slow disease progression, improve memory and support neurological functions.
Alzheimer’s disease is a complex and growing global health challenge, and existing therapies typically focus on single pathological features such as amyloid plaque formation or oxidative stress, which has limited their success. The new therapy combines epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol with antioxidant properties, dopamine, a key neurotransmitter, and tryptophan, an essential amino acid, into EGCG-dopamine-tryptophan nanoparticles (EDTNPs) to target four major hallmarks of the disease: amyloid aggregation, oxidative stress, inflammation and neuronal degeneration.
To enhance therapeutic effects, researchers added Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) to create BDNF-functionalised EDTNPs, which help clear neurotoxic amyloid-beta aggregates and promote neuronal regeneration — a dual action rarely achieved in Alzheimer’s therapies.
The nanoparticles were synthesised using biocompatible methods, and laboratory studies including experiments on mouse models showed that they could break down toxic protein plaques, reduce inflammation, restore cellular balance in the brain, and improve memory and learning. Computer simulations further confirmed that the particles could bind to and dismantle harmful amyloid-beta fibrils at the molecular level.
The findings, published in the journal Small, suggest that this multi-targeted nanotherapy could offer more effective and personalised treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease, with the potential to improve patient quality of life, reduce caregiver burden and open new avenues for therapies for neurodegenerative disorders.
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