Show-Me State Times

Researchers at the University of Missouri have identified a naturally occurring compound that may offer a new treatment approach for ALS and dementia. The compound, kaempferol, which is found in certain fruits and vegetables, was observed to maintain motor and muscle function and reduce muscle atrophy.

Professor Smita Saxena, lead author of the study, stated, “It’s exciting to discover a naturally occurring compound that may help people suffering from ALS or dementia.” The research demonstrated that kaempferol supports nerve cell health by easing stress within the protein-processing center of the cell, known as the endoplasmic reticulum, and by aiding energy production within lab-grown nerve cells from ALS patients.

Kaempferol works by targeting a crucial pathway that affects energy production and protein management, both of which are disrupted in ALS patients. Saxena remarked, “I believe this is one of the first compounds capable of targeting both the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria simultaneously.”

However, the potential use of kaempferol as a human treatment faces challenges, primarily due to its poor absorption by the body. Saxena noted, “Our bodies don’t absorb kaempferol very well from the vegetables we eat.” Moreover, crossing the blood-brain barrier poses an additional obstacle.

Despite these issues, kaempferol remains promising for ALS treatment and other neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Saxena's team at the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building is working on enhancing the compound's uptake by neurons, exploring lipid-based nanoparticles to improve delivery.

“The idea is to encapsulate kaempferol within lipid-based nanoparticles that are easily absorbed by the neurons,” explained Saxena. The team aims to test these nanoparticles by year-end.

The findings are documented in the study, “Kaempferol enhances ER-mitochondria coupling and protects motor neurons from mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress in C9ORF72-ALS,” published in Acta Neuropathologica Communications. Co-authors include Paulien Hermine Smeele and Julieth Andrea Sierra-Delgado from the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Missouri.