Sharif Digital Repository

A number of human diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's have been linked to amyloid formation. To search for an anti-amyloidogenic product, alkaloid enriched extract from borage leaves was examined for anti-amyloidogenic activity using Hen Egg White Lysozyme (HEWL) as a model protein. After isolation of the plant extract using rHPLC, only one fraction indicated a significant bioactivity. TEM analysis confirmed a remarkable reduction of amyloid fibrils in the presence of the bioactive fraction. To identify the effective substance in the fraction, mass spectrometry, FTIR, and NMR were performed. Our analyses determined that the bioactive compound as... 

Protein aggregation, such as amyloid fibril formation, is molecular hallmark of many neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Prion disease. Indole alkaloids are well-known as the compounds having the ability to inhibit protein fibrillation. In this study, we experimentally and computationally have investigated the anti-amyloid property of a derivative of a synthesized tetracyclic indole alkaloid (TCIA), possessing capable functional groups. The fibrillation reaction of Hen White Egg Lysozyme (HEWL) was performed in absence and presence of the indole alkaloid. For quantitative analysis, we used Thioflovin T binding assay which showed ~50% reduction in fibril...