Breakthrough in Alzheimer's Disease Treatment: Selenium Nanoparticles Show Promise

Researchers at the Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Shantou, People's Republic of China, have made a significant discovery in the field of Alzheimer's disease treatment. By biosynthesizing selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using violet sweet potato extract, they have created a potential therapeutic strategy for managing the disease. The research, published in Scientific Reports, reveals that these SeNPs have a unique ability to inhibit amyloid formation and aggregation, thereby reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Key Takeaways:

• The researchers created selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using violet sweet potato extract, which were spherical and non-crystalline in shape, with a zeta potential measured at 24.3 ± 2.1 mV.
• The antioxidant properties of SeNPs were demonstrated by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes, with IC50 values of 8.01 ± 1.21 g/mL and 3.70 ± 0.02 g/mL, respectively.
• Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that 5-caffeoylquinic acid-capped selenium nanoparticles (CQA-SeNPs) preferentially associate with hydrophobic residues of the amyloid peptide, obstructing beta-sheet formation and amyloid fibrillation.
• The researchers concluded that CQA-SeNPs interfere with amyloid aggregation, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease management.

Statistics:

• The researchers biosynthesized SeNPs using violet sweet potato extract.
• The SeNPs had a diameter of 50-60 nm.
• The zeta potential of SeNPs was measured at 24.3 ± 2.1 mV.
• The antioxidant properties of SeNPs were demonstrated with IC values of 8.01 ± 1.21 g/mL (AChE) and 3.70 ± 0.02 g/mL (BChE).

Sources:

• Anti-amyloidogenic properties of 5-caffeoylquinic acid-capped selenium nanoparticles. Scientific Reports, 2025;15(1):19460.
• Nature Portfolio, Heidelberger Platz 3, Berlin, 14197, Germany.
• Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Biotechnology and Food Engineering Program, Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Shantou, 515063, People's Republic of China.