A new study has shown that farnesol from perfumery, as a component of many essential oils, is effective against neurodegenerative processes. Research on mice suggests that this compound may be involved in...Help treat Parkinson's diseasecould. Progressive loss of dopamine-producing nerves in the brain usually causes problems with movement and cognition that are characteristic of dementia and Parkinson's disease. However, the study authors have not yet established the safety and effectiveness of farnesol as a treatment in humans.
Farnesol as a potential therapeutic agent
There are currently no proven therapies to delay or prevent the progression of Parkinson's disease. Some medications increase dopamine levels in the brain and improve dopamine nerve signaling, which helps relieve motor symptoms. However, these treatments do not slow the progressive loss of dopamine in the nerves. The compound called farnesol occurs naturally in plants and is a component of several essential oils. It is contained in lemongrass, for example, and has long been an ingredient in perfume production. The compound is also widespread in animal tissues. Researchers began searching a large library of drugs to find a compound that inhibits a protein called PARIS, which is involved in the death of dopamine neurons in Parkinson's disease. PARIS slows the production of another protein, PGC-1 alpha, which protects brain cells from highly reactive oxygen molecules. When PGC-1 alpha levels are low, the reactive molecules eventually kill the cells.
The screening procedure identified farnesol as a potent inhibitor of PARIS. What is important is that people can take the drug orally and it can cross the blood-brain barrier to protect brain cells. Farnesol chemically alters PARIS in a process known as farnesylation. This finding suggests that reduced farnesylation of PARIS contributes to the death of dopamine neurons in Parkinson's disease. The researchers subsequently found that the mice that received farnesol had twice as many healthy dopamine neurons in their brains. The scientists behind itthis studyplan to initiate new clinical research with farnesol in patients with Parkinson's disease in the near future.
