Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 16, 2025 6 hours, 53 minutes ago
Medical News: Why Brain Inflammation Matters in Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is not only about memory loss but also about ongoing inflammation inside the brain. This inflammation is driven mainly by special immune cells called microglia. When microglia become overactive, they release harmful inflammatory chemicals that slowly damage brain cells. Scientists around the world are now searching for safe and natural ways to calm this inflammation and protect the brain before severe damage occurs.
A natural plant compound calms overactive brain immune cells linked to Alzheimer’s disease
A Traditional Plant Draws Scientific Attention
Safflower leaves, commonly eaten as a vegetable in parts of Asia and used in traditional medicine, are rich in natural antioxidants called flavonoids. Researchers from Xi’an Jiaotong University in China, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Tohoku University of Community Service and Science in Japan, and the University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in Qingdao wanted to understand how these leaves affect brain inflammation linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
How the Study Was Conducted
The research team studied mice genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer’s-like brain changes. These mice were given safflower leaf powder daily for ten months. The scientists also conducted laboratory experiments on brain immune cells to pinpoint which compounds were responsible for the effects. This
Medical News report highlights how the researchers focused on a phytochemical called luteolin, a flavonoid found in high amounts in safflower leaves.
Key Findings Explained Simply
The study showed that safflower leaves significantly reduced the overactivation of microglia in the brain. Under the microscope, microglia from treated mice looked calmer and healthier compared to untreated mice. The leaves also increased levels of a protective protein called TREM2, which helps microglia control inflammation instead of fueling it.
Further experiments revealed that luteolin was the most powerful compound behind these effects. Luteolin reduced harmful inflammatory signals such as TNF alpha and interleukins, which are commonly elevated in Alzheimer’s disease.
Importantly, luteolin activated another protective factor called FOXO3, which then switched on the TREM2 gene. Without TREM2, luteolin’s benefits were sharply reduced, proving that this pathway is essential.
Why This Discovery Is Important
This research helps explain how a natural food source may protect the brain at a molecular level. Instead of simply blocking inflammation, luteolin appears to restore balance to brain immune cells. This is especially important because TREM2 is known to be linked to Alzheimer’s risk in humans, and boosting its activity has long been a scientific goal.
Conclusions
The findings suggest that safflo
wer leaves and their key compound luteolin may offer a safe dietary strategy to reduce harmful brain inflammation linked to Alzheimer’s disease. By activating the FOXO3 TREM2 pathway, luteolin helps brain immune cells shift from a damaging state to a protective one. While human studies are still needed, this research provides strong biological evidence that everyday plant-based foods could play a meaningful role in long-term brain health and disease prevention.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Antioxidants
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/12/1495
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