Researchers claim to have found an accessible way to treat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The active component was identified in the residue of coffee beans.
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases are considered incurable. However, scientists may have found an accessible method for treating these neurodegenerative diseases. The cure was discovered in a cup of coffee — specifically, in the residue from ground beans. Based on caffeic acid extracted from the grounds, researchers created carbon quantum dots (CACQD) — nanocrystals with a broad absorption spectrum and a narrow emission peak, which have shown promising results in dementia therapy.
During laboratory experiments, American scientists found that CACQD helped protect neurons from the effects of Parkinson's disease caused by the pesticide paraquat. Researchers hope that this method can be applied to assist people in the early stages of dementia, as well as to slow the progression of the disease.
“CACQD have the potential to radically change the approach to treating neurodegenerative disorders, as none of the existing methods eliminate the disease but only help manage the symptoms. Our goal is to find a cure at the level of atoms and molecules that cause these conditions,” shared Jyotish Kumar from the University of Texas at El Paso.
CACQD are obtained by processing samples of coffee grounds at a temperature of 200°C for four hours, which alters the carbon structure of caffeic acid. Researchers found that the resulting nanocrystals neutralize free radicals — molecules in the body associated with a number of diseases, including Parkinson's disease, and prevent their harmful effects. The obtained nanocrystals also inhibit the accumulation of amyloid proteins that cause Alzheimer's disease, without significant side effects, as noted in an article published in the journal Environmental Research.
