Neuroprotective potential of Polygonum minus (daun kesum) extracts against glutamate-induced toxicity and neurodegeneration in vitro

Neurodegeneration is the progressive loss of structure and function of neurons. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of neurodegenerative disease, characterised by memory loss and cognitive decline in patients and presents the leading cause of dementia in the aging population. Current AD treatments targeting the cholinergic system in the brain have shown low clinical benefits to patients. Efforts searching new AD treatment are now focused on reducing glutamate-induced toxicity in the brain. Increased glutamate levels in the brain promotes oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, which eventually leads to neuronal cell death. Hence, targeting glutamate-induced toxicity pathways may offer alternative therapeutic approaches for neurodegeneration. Natural antioxidants from plants and herbs has gained attention recently as potential alternative intervention with good efficacy and minimal side effects for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we aim to explore the neuroprotective potential of Polygonum minus (daun kesum) extracts against glutamate-induced toxicity and neurodegeneration in an in vitro AD model using biochemical and immunohistochemical approaches. The understanding of mechanisms underlying the protective effects of P. minus extracts in the AD model presents a promising candidate for the potential treatment and protection against neurodegenerative diseases.