Key clinical point: In preclinical studies, components of traditional Chinese medicine reduce amyloid beta production, apoptosis, autophagy, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Studying herbal medicines may help investigators identify effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, researchers suggest.

Major finding: Of the bioactive ingredients that have been isolated from traditional Chinese medicine, many are from the Lamiaceae family. For example, Dracoephalum moldavica L. may reduce amyloid beta production and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. and Isodon rubescens (Hemsl.) H.Hara may prevent neuroinflammation. Lavandula angustifolia Mill. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. reduce oxidative stress, and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. resolves mitochondrial dysfunction.

Study details: A literature review examining active components of traditional Chinese medicine that have biologic effects with potential relevance in Alzheimer’s disease.

Disclosures: The research was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. The authors had no conflicts of interest.