In the study, the team used both a hot water extract of the seeds and a powder made from the ground parts. The results showed that the cognitive functions of mice given the powder improved to a level higher than those of the control group. The drug also slowed cellular aging in old mice, ultimately boosting their cognitive abilities to a level close to that of younger mice.
Professor Tomiyama noted that the study raises the prospect of developing affordable and safe drugs to prevent dementia that can be used by middle-aged and older adults. Previous studies by the same team have shown improvements with the Hawaiian plant mamaki and the Chinese herb Acorus gramineus in animal models of neurodegeneration.
The findings, currently available as a preliminary report in the journal eLife, are part of research supported by Cerebro Pharma Inc. and Teijin Ltd., which are investing in developing drugs to prevent cognitive decline.