South Korean Clinic Discovers Traditional Medicine Ingredient that Suppresses Brain Inflammation

South Korean Clinic Discovers Traditional Medicine Ingredient that Suppresses Brain Inflammation

New Hope in the Battle Against Dementia

Recent findings from the Cheongnae Oriental Medicine Clinic in South Korea suggest that a traditional Korean medicine ingredient may have the potential to suppress brain inflammation, a primary cause of dementia. This is a significant development given that inflammation in the brain is a major contributor to the onset of dementia. The clinic is currently prescribing Chungnaetang, a traditional treatment considered beneficial in managing dementia, to its patients.

Experimental Material A: A Potential Game Changer

This promising ingredient, known as experimental material A, has demonstrated considerable antioxidative capabilities through cellular experiments. It contains polyphenols, substances that inhibit oxidative stress, a condition that can lead to cellular damage. The antioxidative function of this experimental material was found to be 361.3% of Trolox, a well-known standard antioxidant.

Additionally, experimental material A appears to influence the production of certain substances within the brain. It inhibits the production of TNF-a, a substance known to cause inflammation in the brain. Conversely, it increases the production of IL-10, a substance that reduces inflammation. The ingredient also induces the proliferation of HT-22 nerve cells in the hippocampus, a brain region responsible for memory. Moreover, it inhibits the destruction of brain nerve cells by harmful substances such as amyloid beta.

Impacting Microglial Cells

One of the most significant findings was the ingredient’s impact on microglial cells, the immune cells found in the brain. Experimental material A increased the proportion of M2 phenotype microglial cells, which are known for their neuroprotective effect. This is favorable compared to M1 phenotype cells, which tend to promote brain inflammation associated with dementia.

Chungnaetang: A Promising Treatment for Dementia

The clinic started prescribing Chungnaetang to patients in 2021. A survey conducted on 213 dementia patients who took Chungnaetang for more than six months from January 2022 to May 2023 yielded promising results. Approximately 45.5% (97 people) showed improvement, and 38.9% (83 people) remained stable. Furthermore, the treatment resulted in significant improvement in over 80% of patients suffering from memory loss, chronic headaches, and insomnia.

Expanding the Role of Traditional Medicine

In light of these findings, the clinic aims to broaden the role of traditional medicine in treating chronic diseases. By scientifically proving that traditional medicine can effectively treat intractable diseases such as dementia, the clinic hopes to pave the way for new, effective treatments. The clinic also intends to continue accumulating and publishing real clinical data to further support the use of traditional medicine in modern healthcare.