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The Amazonian herbal Marapuama attenuates cognitive impairment and neuroglial degeneration in a mouse Alzheimer model
Figueiró M, Ilha J, Linck VM, Herrmann AP, Nardin P, Menezes CB, Achaval M, Gonçalves CA et al.. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 2010-08-23
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Unlabelled Alzheimer's disease (AD) is expected to affect more than 22 million people worldwide by 2025, causing devastating suffering and enormous costs to families and society. AD is a multifactorial disease, with a complex pathological mosaic. In rodents, AD-like dementia can be induced by cerebral microinjection of Aβ peptide, leading to amyloid deposits, amnesia and various features of neurodegeneration. Marapuama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) is regarded as a "brain tonic" in the Amazon region and shows a nootropic profile in rodents. Aim of the study Because a specific extract (POEE) of Marapuama was shown to possess promnesic and anti-amnesic properties, the aim of this study was to verify if POEE is also effective against Aβ(1-42)-induced cognitive deficit in mice. Additionally, Aβ deposits (Congo red), GFAP immunoreactivity (immunohistochemistry), and neurodegenerative changes in the hippocampal pyramidal layer (Nissl) were examined as measures of Aβ(1-42)-induced neurodegeneration. Materials and methods CF1 mice were subjected to the experimental Alzheimer model with the Aβ(1-42) i.c.v. administration. The effects of POEE 800 mg/kg were evaluated over 14 consecutive days of treatment. Results The data show that 14 days of oral treatment with POEE (800 mg/kg) was effective in preventing Aβ-induced cognitive impairment, without altering the levels of BDNF and with parallel reductions in Aβ deposits and astrogliosis. CA1 hippocampus loss induced by Aβ(1-42) was also diminished in POEE-treated mice. Conclusion This study offers evidence of functional and neuroprotective effects of two weeks treatment with a Ptychopetalum olacoides extract against Aβ peptide-induced neurotoxicity in mice. Given the multifactorial nature of neurodegeneration, the considerable potential for an AChE inhibitor displaying associated neuroprotective properties such as here reported warrants further clinic evaluation.
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APA 7th
Figueiró, M., Ilha, J., Linck, V. M., Herrmann, A. P., Nardin, P., Menezes, C. B., et al. (2011). The Amazonian herbal Marapuama attenuates cognitive impairment and neuroglial degeneration in a mouse Alzheimer model. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2010.07.013
Vancouver
Figueiró M, Ilha J, Linck VM, Herrmann AP, Nardin P, Menezes CB, et al. The Amazonian herbal Marapuama attenuates cognitive impairment and neuroglial degeneration in a mouse Alzheimer model. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. 2011. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2010.07.013. PMID: 20739160.
BibTeX
@article{figueiro2011-20739160,
author = {Figueiró, M. and Ilha, J. and Linck, V. M. and Herrmann, A. P. and Nardin, P. and Menezes, C. B. and Achaval, M. and Gonçalves, C. A. and others},
title = {{The Amazonian herbal Marapuama attenuates cognitive impairment and neuroglial degeneration in a mouse Alzheimer model}},
journal = {Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology},
year = {2011},
doi = {10.1016/j.phymed.2010.07.013},
pmid = {20739160},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2010.07.013}
}
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Key findings
- Results The data show that 14 days of oral treatment with POEE (800 mg/kg) was effective in preventing Aβ-induced cognitive impairment, without altering the levels of BDNF and with parallel reductions in Aβ deposits and astrogliosis.
Why it matters
In a mouse model of Alzheimer's-like dementia, 14 days of oral Marapuama extract prevented memory problems and reduced amyloid deposits and astrogliosis. This is early animal research only, so it does not show that Marapuama treats or prevents Alzheimer's disease in people.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 31/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Phytomedicine: journal h-index 179 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2011 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Laboratory or animal study (title names “mouse”) — scores zero |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 3 / 7 | Cited 29 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 1.7 citations a year over 17 year(s) since 2011 |
| Impact for its field and year | 1 / 6 | Cited 0.6× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Elaine Elisabetsky: h-index 42 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul: institution h-index 543 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 20739160) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 31 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
- DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2010.07.013
- PubMed: 20739160
- Original source →
- Free full text: sciencedirect.com →
Full text: free to read — Unpaywall lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 10 Oct 2026).
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