Natural Compounds in Ginseng Studied for Early Huntington's Disease Prevention

Jenn Hoskins
25th July, 2024

Natural Compounds in Ginseng Studied for Early Huntington's Disease Prevention

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study from Scientific Research and Training Nepal P. Ltd. explored the potential of Panax ginseng in treating early Huntington's disease (HD)
  • Computational methods showed that compounds in Panax ginseng, like schizandrin and protopanaxadiol, bind strongly to the dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1), which is involved in HD
  • Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that these compounds could stabilize DRD1, potentially reducing early HD symptoms
Huntington's disease (HD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor disturbances, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. It is caused by a genetic mutation involving an expanded CAG repeat in the huntingtin (HTT) gene, leading to the production of a dysfunctional protein that accumulates in neurons, particularly affecting the striatum and cortex[2][3]. Current treatments primarily aim to alleviate symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes of the disease[2]. However, recent research from the Scientific Research and Training Nepal P. Ltd. has explored the potential of Panax ginseng, a traditional herb, in providing therapeutic benefits for early HD[1]. The study utilized computational methods to investigate the chemical components of Panax ginseng for their potential interactions with the dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1), which is implicated in the pathogenesis of early HD. Molecular docking calculations revealed that several compounds in Panax ginseng, including schizandrin, ergosterol, protopanaxadiol, panaxydol, diphenhydramine, and panasenoside, exhibited strong binding affinities to DRD1. Notably, schizandrin, protopanaxadiol, and panasenoside demonstrated superior binding affinities compared to native ligands and some existing drugs like Nefazodone, Risperidone, and Haloperidol, suggesting more effective interactions. To confirm these findings, the stability of the top protein-ligand complexes was assessed through 200 ns molecular dynamics simulations. The results indicated that the minimal translational and rotational motion of the docked ligands at the orthosteric pocket of DRD1 at near-physiological conditions could inhibit the over-activation of this receptor, potentially mitigating early HD symptoms. Furthermore, the sustained thermodynamic spontaneity of complex formation supports the likelihood of these interactions being beneficial under physiological conditions. This study ties into previous research highlighting the importance of maintaining neuronal health and homeostasis. For instance, the role of vitamins in neurodegenerative diseases has been explored, showing that both water- and lipid-soluble vitamins can influence neuronal metabolism and potentially prevent diseases like HD[4]. While the mechanisms differ, the underlying principle of using natural compounds to support neuronal function is consistent. Moreover, the exploration of novel therapeutic targets in HD, such as purinergic signaling and neuroinflammation, has been a focus of recent studies[3][5]. This new research on Panax ginseng complements these efforts by identifying additional natural compounds that could modulate neuronal activity and potentially offer neuroprotective effects. In summary, the computational study from Scientific Research and Training Nepal P. Ltd. suggests that phytochemicals from Panax ginseng, particularly schizandrin, protopanaxadiol, and panasenoside, could be promising candidates for the prophylactic treatment of early Huntington's disease. These findings warrant further experimental evaluation to confirm their therapeutic potential and to explore their mechanisms of action in greater detail. Integrating such natural compounds into the broader landscape of HD research could pave the way for more effective disease-modifying treatments.

MedicineHealthBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Computational Assessment of the Phytochemicals of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer Against Dopamine Receptor D1 for Early Huntington's Disease Prophylactics.

Published 24th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12013-024-01426-2

Related Studies

2) New Avenues for the Treatment of Huntington's Disease.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22168363

3) Purine Nucleotides Metabolism and Signaling in Huntington's Disease: Search for a Target for Novel Therapies.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22126545

4) The Role of Vitamins in Neurodegenerative Disease: An Update.

https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9101284

5) The Role of Microglia and Astrocytes in Huntington's Disease.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2019.00258


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