Hsinchu:A study by National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) suggests that a compound derived from a tropical plant may aid in repairing nerve cells and improving movement following traumatic brain injuries, potentially offering a novel treatment approach.
According to Focus Taiwan, the research, published in the journal Phytomedicine, identified isorhoifolin—extracted from Monstera epipremnoides—as effective in improving recovery in mice with brain injuries. The compound promotes the regrowth of damaged nerve projections and reduces harmful substances in astrocytes, facilitating a better environment for nerve repair.
Linyi Chen, who leads the research team and serves as the dean of NTHU's College of Life Sciences and Medicine, said the findings could pave the way for further research into neurological injuries and inflammatory conditions like stroke and COVID-19-associated "brain fog."
The study's first author, Wang Yi, a doctoral student at NTHU's Institute of Molecular Medicine, likened brain damage to a "broken neural road." He emphasized that recovery requires both nerve regrowth and the removal of harmful substances such as free radicals.
The research spanned over eight years, involving tests on over 2,000 extracts from nearly 900 plants at the Dr. Cecilia Koo Botanic Conservation Center. The team managed to isolate isorhoifolin after sending active fractions to Germany for compound identification.
NTHU highlighted the potential global impact, noting that 70 million people suffer from traumatic brain injuries annually, yet no approved drug directly promotes nerve repair. The team has begun chemically synthesizing isorhoifolin and can produce it on a gram scale, with plans to develop related compounds.
Before clinical trials can commence, larger-scale production and toxicology tests are necessary. The team intends to seek the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's guidance. The study observed that isorhoifolin reaches brain tissue 15 minutes after intranasal administration, suggesting its potential as a noninvasive and convenient treatment option. If successful, nasal sprays could be developed for mild cases and intravenous treatments for severe ones.
