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Pharmacological Evaluation of a Traditional Thai Polyherbal Formula for Alzheimer’s Disease: Evidence from In Vitro and In Silico Studies

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by multifactorial pathogenesis, including oxidative stress, cholinergic dysfunction, β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation, and neuroinflammation. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective potential of the Pheka capsule (PC) formula, a traditional Thai polyherbal medicine comprising Oroxylum indicum (OI), Zingiber officinale (ZO), and Boesenbergia rotunda (BR). Phytochemical analysis by HPLC confirmed the presence of key bioactive compounds including baicalein, baicalin, oroxylin A, 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, pinocembrin, and pinostrobin. The PC formula exhibited strong antioxidant activity, highly selective butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition with a selectivity index (SI) of BChE > 20, suppression of Aβ aggregation, and protection against H2O2-induced neuronal damage in vitro. Network pharmacology analysis identified multiple AD-relevant targets and pathways, including APP, GSK3B, CASP3, GAPDH, PTGS2, and PPARG, implicating the PC formula in modulating oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation. Notably, OI emerged as the primary contributor to the formula’s multitargeted actions. These findings support the therapeutic potential of the PC formula as a multitarget agent for AD, aligning with the growing interest in polypharmacological strategies for complex neurodegenerative diseases. Further in vivo and clinical studies are warranted to confirm its efficacy and safety.

Source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/ijms26136287