Xanthene Food Dye, as a Modulator of Alzheimer's Disease Amyloid-beta Peptide Aggregation and the Associated Impaired Neuronal Cell Function
2011

Erythrosine B as a Modulator of Alzheimer's Disease Amyloid-beta Peptide Aggregation

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Wong H. Edward, Kwon Inchan

Primary Institution: University of Virginia

Hypothesis

Can erythrosine B modulate amyloid-beta peptide aggregation and improve neuronal cell function?

Conclusion

Erythrosine B is a novel modulator of amyloid-beta aggregation that reduces associated impaired cell function.

Supporting Evidence

  • Erythrosine B inhibits amyloid fibril formation and promotes the formation of stable protofibrils.
  • At higher concentrations, erythrosine B significantly recovers neuronal cell function impaired by amyloid-beta.
  • Immunoassays showed that erythrosine B interacts with the N-terminus of amyloid-beta, inhibiting fibril formation.

Takeaway

Erythrosine B, a food dye, helps prevent the clumping of proteins that cause Alzheimer's disease, which can protect brain cells.

Methodology

The study used transmission electron microscopy, thioflavin T fluorescence assay, and immunoassays to evaluate the effects of erythrosine B on amyloid-beta aggregation.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0025752

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