May 6, 2024

Brewing Smarter: Scientists Discover a Secret Brain Booster in Coffee

A new research study discovered that Trigonelline (TG), a natural substance in coffee and some vegetables, substantially improves spatial learning and memory in aged mice. The research indicates that TG modifies crucial molecular pathways and lowers neuroinflammation, highlighting its capacity in addressing age-related cognitive decline.
Current research has progressively focused on finding natural substances that can combat age-related cognitive decline and promote healthy aging. Trigonelline (TG), a plant alkaloid discovered in coffee, fenugreek seeds, and radish, has actually been recommended as a prospect for improving cognitive capabilities.
In a new study, researchers led by the University of Tsukuba examined the results of TG on memory and spatial learning (acquiring, keeping, structuring, and applying details associated to the surrounding physical environment) from both a cognitive and molecular biology viewpoint in an integrated manner utilizing a senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) model.
Study Findings
Following oral administration of TG to SAMP8 mice for one month, the Morris water labyrinth test indicated a considerable enhancement in spatial knowing and memory efficiency compared with SAMP8 mice that did not get TG.

Next, the scientists carried out whole-genome transcriptomic analysis of the hippocampus to check out the underlying molecular mechanisms. They found that signaling paths connected to worried system advancement, mitochondrial function, ATP synthesis, autophagy, neurotransmitter, and inflammation release were considerably modulated in the TG group.
Molecular Insights and Conclusions
The research group found that TG reduced neuroinflammation by adversely managing the signaling aspect Traf6-mediated activation of the transcription aspect NF-κB.
Furthermore, quantitative protein analysis confirmed that the levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly decreased and the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin were significantly increased in the hippocampus.
These findings recommend the effectiveness of TG in preventing and improving age-related spatial knowing memory problems.
Referral: “Transcriptomics and biochemical evidence of trigonelline ameliorating learning and memory decrease in the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) model by raising and reducing proinflammatory cytokines neurotransmitter release” by Sharmin Aktar, Farhana Ferdousi, Shinji Kondo, Tamami Kagawa and Hiroko Isoda, 18 September 2023, GeroScience.DOI: 10.1007/ s11357-023-00919-x.
This work was supported by DyDo DRINCO and Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST grant number JPMJPF2017).