USF researchers have found that myricanol and myricanone compounds such as bayberry extract may be an effective treatment option for many neurodegenerative diseases associated with the abnormal accumulation of protein tau. These extracts have been shown to reduce aberrant microtubule associated protein tau levels in cells. Myricanol and myricanone are isolated from root barks of the Myrica species and are widely distributed throughout the world. Many Myrica species are edible and have been used in folk medicines for the treatment of fevers, jaundice, ulcers, diarrhea, and dysentery. This natural extract exhibits the potential to be a novel treatment option for many neurodegenerative tauopathies including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
A Reduction of Tau Levels by Aqueous Bayberry Extract in Multiple Cell Models