Pomegranate can destroy protein deposits in diseases of the heart and nerves

During the analysis of more than 1.5 thousand plant extracts, samples obtained from the leaves and branches of the common pomegranate showed the highest activity. Chemical analysis allowed us to isolate a specific active substance, penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG). Laboratory tests have confirmed that this component effectively removes existing protein plaques, while most modern drugs can only slow down the appearance of new ones.

Studies have demonstrated the high selectivity of the action of the detected molecule. The compound successfully destroys the amyloids of transthyretin, but it does not affect the beta-amyloids characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. Such specificity is extremely important for the development of drugs with minimal side effects, as it allows a targeted effect on the cause of a specific pathology.

The effectiveness of the component has been tested on living organisms and human tissue samples. In experiments with biological models, the use of PGG led to a decrease in the amount of protein deposits, which significantly increased the duration and quality of life. In addition, the substance successfully coped with the destruction of amyloid fibers extracted directly from the heart tissue of a patient with a hereditary form of the disease.

Structural analysis has shown that specific groups of molecules attached to the glucose base are responsible for the therapeutic effect. Understanding this mechanism at the molecular level makes it possible to synthesize new drugs based on natural compounds. Preparations are currently underway for the next stages of testing the safety and effectiveness of this method for humans.

This discovery closes an important gap in the treatment of amyloidosis, offering a solution for cleaning organs of already accumulated toxic proteins. Plant molecules can become the basis for new generation drugs capable of restoring tissue functions in advanced stages of the disease. The work of scientists confirms the enormous potential of using natural libraries to find the keys to treating complex systemic diseases.