- Title
- An assessment of the in vitro neuroprotective potential of selected Algerian and South African medicinal plant extracts
- Creator
- Fewell, William
- Subject
- Medicinal plants -- South Africa
- Subject
- Nervous system -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa
- Date Issued
- 2015
- Date
- 2015
- Type
- Thesis
- Type
- Masters
- Type
- MSc
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8608
- Identifier
- vital:26411
- Description
- It is estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) that by 2040 neurodegenerative disorders will collectively surpass cancer as the primary cause of death in industrialised countries (WHO,2006). Natural flora represents one of the most important therapeutic sources in modern drug discovery, however only a limited number of plant species have been screened for their neuroprotective value. The neuroprotective potential of eleven Algerian and two South African medicinal plant extracts were assessed in this study, aiming to identify promising candidates for future research. Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease are characterised by distinct biochemical features, including protein misfolding/-aggregation, excessive oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death. As such, medicinal plant extracts were screened for biological properties directly relevant to neurodegeneration. The capacity to induce autophagy was also investigated as mounting evidence suggests that activation of this pathway may reduce abnormal protein aggregation and promote neuronal survival.
- Format
- Format
- xvii, 117 leaves
- Publisher
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Science
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
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NMMU School of BioMolecular and Chemical Sciences
| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
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