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Coffee grounds can help prevent neurological disorders: Study

ANI | | Posted by Tapatrisha Das, Texas

Nov 22, 2023 01:52 PM IST

The study shows that caffeic-acid-based Carbon Quantum Dots from spent coffee grounds can protect brain cells from damage.

Millions of people in the United States are affected by neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's, and the expense of caring for persons with these conditions totals hundreds of billions of dollars each year.

Coffee grounds can help prevent neurological disorders: Study(Getty Images)

Researchers at The University of Texas in El Paso believe they have discovered a solution for leftover coffee grounds, which are thrown from homes and companies all around the world every day.

A team led by Jyotish Kumar, a doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and overseen by Mahesh Narayan, PhD, a professor and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in the same department, discovered that caffeic-acid-based Carbon Quantum Dots (CACQDs), which can be derived from spent coffee grounds, have the potential to protect brain cells from the damage caused by several neurodegenerative diseases.

ALSO READ: Coffee may not be helpful in improving mobility in people with Parkinson’s

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Their findings are detailed in a report published in Environmental Research.

"Caffeic-acid based Carbon Quantum Dots have the potential to be transformative in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders," Kumar said. "This is because none of the current treatments resolve the diseases; they only help manage the symptoms. Our aim is to find a cure by addressing the atomic and molecular underpinnings that drive these conditions."

Neurodegenerative diseases are primarily characterized by the loss of neurons or brain cells. They inhibit a person's ability to perform basic functions such as movement and speech, as well as more complicated tasks including bladder and bowel functions, and cognitive abilities.

The disorders, when they are in their early stages and are caused by lifestyle or environmental factors, share several traits. These include elevated levels of free radicals -- harmful molecules that are known to contribute to other diseases such as cancer, heart disease and vision loss -- in the brain, and the aggregation of fragments of amyloid-forming proteins that can lead to plaques or fibrils in the brain.

Kumar and his colleagues found that CACQDs were neuroprotective across test tube experiments, cell lines and other models of Parkinson's disease when the disorder was caused by a pesticide called paraquat. The CACQDs, the team observed, were able to remove free radicals or prevent them from causing damage and inhibited the aggregation of amyloid protein fragments without causing any significant side effects.

The team hypothesizes that in humans, in the very early stage of a condition such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, a treatment based on CACQDs can be effective in preventing full-on disease.

"It is critical to address these disorders before they reach the clinical stage," Narayan said. "At that point, it is likely too late. Any current treatments that can address advanced symptoms of neurodegenerative disease are simply beyond the means of most people. Our aim is to come up with a solution that can prevent most cases of these conditions at a cost that is manageable for as many patients as possible."

Caffeic acid belongs to a family of compounds called polyphenols, which are plant-based compounds known for their antioxidant, or free radical-scavenging properties. Caffeic acid is unique because it can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and is thus able to exert its effects upon the cells inside the brain, Narayan said.

The process the team uses to extract CACQDs from used coffee grounds is considered "green chemistry," which means it is environmentally friendly. In their lab, the team "cooks" samples of coffee grounds at 200 degrees for four hours to reorient the caffeic acid's carbon structure and form CACQDs. The sheer abundance of coffee grounds is what makes the process both economical and sustainable, Narayan said. (ANI)

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The study that you mentioned highlights the potential of caffeic-acid-based Carbon Quantum Dots (CACQDs) derived from spent coffee grounds in protecting brain cells from damage caused by neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's. This breakthrough is significant in the context of the substantial impact of these disorders on millions of individuals in the United States, and the high costs associated with their care each year. The research, led by Jyotish Kumar and overseen by Mahesh Narayan at the University of Texas in El Paso, showcases the promise of these Carbon Quantum Dots in addressing the root causes of neurodegenerative disorders.

The neuroprotective properties of CACQDs have been emphasized, particularly in combating damages triggered by obesity, aging, and exposure to environmental toxins like pesticides. The study also suggests that these CACQDs can be key in early intervention and possibly preventing the full onset of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The use of caffeic acid, a polyphenol known for its antioxidant properties, is crucial in this discovery. The environmentally friendly process to extract CACQDs from used coffee grounds also makes it cost-effective, given the abundant availability of coffee grounds.

Notably, the process to extract CACQDs is described as "green chemistry," indicating its environmental friendliness and sustainability. The significance of this research underscores the potential of utilizing resources such as spent coffee grounds to develop innovative solutions for preventing and addressing neurodegenerative diseases.

This research is a significant stride forward, suggesting the potential for novel treatments that could address the atomic and molecular underpinnings driving neurodegenerative conditions, providing hope for more effective and transformative approaches to addressing these challenging disorders.

ANI | | Posted by Tapatrisha Das, Texas Nov 22, 2023 01:52 PM IST The study shows that caffeic-acid-based Carbon Quantum Dots from spent coffee grounds can protect brain cells from damage. Millions of people in the United States are affected by neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's, and the expense of caring for persons with these conditions totals hundreds of billions of dollars each year. Coffee grounds can help prevent neurological disorders: Study(Getty Images) Researchers at The University of Texas in El Paso believe they have discovered a solution for leftover coffee grounds, which are thrown from homes and companies all around the world every day. A team led by Jyotish Kumar, a doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and overseen by Mahesh Narayan, PhD, a professor and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in the same department, discovered that caffeic-acid-based Carbon Quantum Dots (CACQDs), which can be derived from spent coffee grounds, have the potential to protect brain cells from the damage caused by several neurodegenerative diseases. ALSO READ: Coffee may not be helpful in improving mobility in people with Parkinsons We're now on WhatsApp. Click to join Their findings are detailed in a report published in Environmental Research. "Caffeic-acid based Carbon Quantum Dots have the potential to be transformative in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders," Kumar said. "This is because none of the current treatments resolve the diseases; they only help manage the symptoms. Our aim is to find a cure by addressing the atomic and molecular underpinnings that drive these conditions." Neurodegenerative diseases are primarily characterized by the loss of neurons or brain cells. They inhibit a person's ability to perform basic functions such as movement and speech, as well as more complicated tasks including bladder and bowel functions, and cognitive abilities. The disorders, when they are in their early stages and are caused by lifestyle or environmental factors, share several traits. These include elevated levels of free radicals -- harmful molecules that are known to contribute to other diseases such as cancer, heart disease and vision loss -- in the brain, and the aggregation of fragments of amyloid-forming proteins that can lead to plaques or fibrils in the brain. Kumar and his colleagues found that CACQDs were neuroprotective across test tube experiments, cell lines and other models of Parkinson's disease when the disorder was caused by a pesticide called paraquat. The CACQDs, the team observed, were able to remove free radicals or prevent them from causing damage and inhibited the aggregation of amyloid protein fragments without causing any significant side effects. The team hypothesizes that in humans, in the very early stage of a condition such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, a treatment based on CACQDs can be effective in preventing full-on disease. "It is critical to address these disorders before they reach the clinical stage," Narayan said. "At that point, it is likely too late. Any current treatments that can address advanced symptoms of neurodegenerative disease are simply beyond the means of most people. Our aim is to come up with a solution that can prevent most cases of these conditions at a cost that is manageable for as many patients as possible." Caffeic acid belongs to a family of compounds called polyphenols, which are plant-based compounds known for their antioxidant, or free radical-scavenging properties. Caffeic acid is unique because it can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and is thus able to exert its effects upon the cells inside the brain, Narayan said. The process the team uses to extract CACQDs from used coffee grounds is considered "green chemistry," which means it is environmentally friendly. In their lab, the team "cooks" samples of coffee grounds at 200 degrees for four hours to reorient the caffeic acid's carbon

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A discovery by researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso could potentially transform the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and Huntingtons.The breakthrough centers around the use of caffeic-acid based Carbon Quantum Dots (CACQDs), derived from spent coffee grounds, which have the potential to protect brain cells from damage caused by these diseases.The study was led by doctoral student Jyotish Kumar and overseen by Professor Mahesh Narayan, a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.Neurodegenerative disordersThe experts found that CACQDs could be key in addressing the root causes of neurodegenerative disorders. Their findings highlight the neuroprotective properties of CACQDs, particularly against damages triggered by obesity, aging, and exposure to environmental toxins like pesticides.Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive loss of neurons, impacting essential functions like movement, speech, and cognitive abilities.Early stages of these diseases, often linked to lifestyle and environmental factors, show elevated levels of harmful free radicals and the aggregation of amyloid protein fragments in the brain, leading to further complications.Transformative treatmentCaffeic-acid based Carbon Quantum Dots have the potential to be transformative in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, said Kumar. This is because none of the current treatments resolve the diseases; they only help manage the symptoms. Our aim is to find a cure by addressing the atomic and molecular underpinnings that drive these conditions.The team demonstrated that CACQDs, especially in models of Parkinsons disease induced by a pesticide called paraquat, could remove or neutralize free radicals and prevent the aggregation of amyloid proteins without significant side effects.Early interventionThe researchers believe that early intervention with CACQD-based treatments could effectively prevent the full onset of diseases like Alzheimers and Parkinsons.It is critical to address these disorders before they reach the clinical stage, said Professor Narayan. At that point, it is likely too late. Any current treatments that can address advanced symptoms of neurodegenerative disease are simply beyond the means of most people. Our aim is to come up with a solution that can prevent most cases of these conditions at a cost that is manageable for as many patients as possible.Protecting brain cellsCaffeic acid, a polyphenol known for its antioxidant properties, is crucial in this discovery. Professor Narayan noted that caffeic acid is unique because it can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and is thus able to directly exert its effects upon the cells inside the brain.The team employed a green chemistry method to extract CACQDs from used coffee grounds, making the process both environmentally friendly and cost-effective, given the abundant availability of coffee grounds.Further research is neededSupported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, the project has involved numerous graduate and undergraduate students from UTEP, including Sofia Delgado, who is now pursuing her PhD at Yale University.Despite the progress, Narayan and Kumar acknowledge that theres still a considerable journey ahead. Their ultimate goal is to develop a medication, possibly in pill form, that could prevent the majority of neurodegenerative disorders not caused by genetics.The team is now seeking additional funding to support further testing.The study is published in the journal Environmental Research. Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.-Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

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Millions of spent coffee grounds end up in landfill each year 1/1 Millions of spent coffee grounds end up in landfill each year With around six million tons of spent coffee grounds discarded each year, much of that dumped into landfills, there's growing interest in repurposing the everyday by-product for other uses, such as creating new sustainable materials.University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) researchers have ventured down an entirely different path, deriving caffeic-acid Carbon Quantum Dots (CACQDs) from the grounds, which may have the potential to shield brain cells from the microbiological attacks that can lay the foundations of neurodegenerative disease.Caffeic-acid based Carbon Quantum Dots have the potential to be transformative in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, said lead researcher Jyotish Kumar. This is because none of the current treatments resolve the diseases; they only help manage the symptoms. Our aim is to find a cure by addressing the atomic and molecular underpinnings that drive these conditions.While genetics play a major role in neurodegenerative disease, lifestyle and environmental factors can hugely contribute to the loss of neurons in specific areas of the brain that then develop into conditions such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons.Those factors include overactivity of free radicals, the harmful molecules that also have a hand in cancer and heart disease, and the aggregation of amyloid-forming protein fragments. These can form plaques in the brain, which are a hallmark of Alzheimer's progression.In cell samples, the researchers found that CACQDs removed free radicals or blocked them from having an influence, and inhibited the aggregation of amyloid-forming proteins. Importantly, CACQDs did not appear to have any negative impacts on the cells.If this benefit could translate to preventative treatment, it could keep patients away from the tipping point of disease progression.It is critical to address these disorders before they reach the clinical stage, said Mahesh Narayan, a professor at UTEP. At that point, it is likely too late. Any current treatments that can address advanced symptoms of neurodegenerative disease are simply beyond the means of most people. Our aim is to come up with a solution that can prevent most cases of these conditions at a cost that is manageable for as many patients as possible.Caffeic acid is a polyphenol compound, which has known antioxidant properties. It can also penetrate the all-important blood-brain barrier, which is key to delivering cellular protection to the very site that requires it.As well as the spent coffee grounds being a sustainable source of caffeic acid, the CACQDs are produced via environmentally friendly green chemistry. Coffee grounds are cooked at 200 F (93 C) for four hours, in order to reorient the caffeic acid carbon structure for the CACQDs. And given the amount of coffee grounds discarded annually, the source material offers sustainability and scalability.While still early days, the team are hopeful that further research will confirm early testing and that, one day, something as simple as a CACQDs pill could provide the human brain with an invisible shield to protect against non-genetic neurodegenerative disease.This is the second study in recent months to find a surprising brain-health benefit from coffee products. In September, researchers identified a compound in green coffee beans, trigonelline, which shows promise in helping to maintain memory and cognitive function in aging brains.The study was published in the journal Environmental Research.Source: University of Texas El Paso

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