title: Identification of Plant Extracts that Inhibit the Formation of Diabetes-Linked IAPP Amyloid.
abstract: The extracts of 27 vegetables, spices and herbs were screened for their functional ability to inhibit the aggregation of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP, amylin) into toxic amyloid aggregates. The aggregation of IAPP has been directly linked to the death of pancreatic β-islet cells in type 2 diabetes. Inhibiting the aggregation of IAPP is believed to have the potential to slow, if not prevent entirely, the progression of this disease. As vegetables, spices and herbs are known to possess many different positive health effects, the extracts of 27 plants (abundant within the United States and spanning several plant families) were screened for their ability to inhibit the formation of toxic IAPP aggregates. Their anti-amyloid activities were assessed through (1) thioflavin T binding assays, (2) visualization of amyloid fibers using atomic force microscopy and (3) cell rescue studies. From this research, mint, peppermint, red bell pepper and thyme emerged as possessing the greatest anti-amyloid activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
authors.forename: Ana Lucia
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Fuentes
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hennessy
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pascual
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pepe
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
authors.forename: In
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santiago
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Mount Saint Mary's College, 12001 Chalon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049.
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chaggan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Mount Saint Mary's College, 12001 Chalon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Mount Saint Mary's College, 12001 Chalon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049.
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cota
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Mount Saint Mary's College, 12001 Chalon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049.
authors.forename: Luiza A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Nogaj
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Moffet
keywords: Amyloid Inhibition; Diabetes; Natural Product Therapeutics