HP Ingredients granted EU patent for plant-based extract for use in Alzheimer's

The patent, relates to NeuroActin’s active ingredient, an extract of the Andrographis paniculata ​herbaceous plant, native to India and Sri Lanka.

The extract, andrographolide (ANDRO), a labdane diterpene, has demonstrated improvements to learning and memory and a reduction in oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation in mice.

Further detail in the patent application suggests that andrographolide “may be used in a method for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease dementia in humans, wherein andrographolide is administered in a therapeutically effective amount as a daily oral dosage from one to four mg per kg of body weight”.​

“This is significant news because it demonstrates the increasingly sophisticated technological research can be accumulated to make specific claims,”​ said Annie Eng, CEO of US-based HP Ingredients.

EU patent ‘encouraging’​

“Although we recognize that the FDA prohibits marketing NeuroActin (ANDRO) for any disease state, this EU patent is encouraging as it supports that NeuroActin is an effective supplement for supporting healthy brain structure and function as well as cognitive acuity and memory.”​

The patent entitled “Treatment of Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Impairment with Andrographolides,” (EP2897608A4) details the role of GSK-3b, an enzyme that suppresses brain activity by reducing the flow of chemical messages sent between brain cells.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK 3β) features significantly in the Wnt signalling pathway, a process that is core to neural tube formation and mid-brain development.

When the Wnt pathway is blocked, the maturation of the neural tube is impaired and learning and memory is affected.

In two sets of mice with Alzheimer’s disease, ANDRO appeared to play a role in spatial memory function recovery.

According to the patent authors, ANDRO also increased field excitatory post-synaptic potentials in the brain’s hippocampus by a mechanism that “probably” involves an inhibition of GSK 3β.

The company's already has a US patent ­(20150352075) for the ingredient’s potential use in brain and cognitive support supplements.