Consistent consumption of cacao, cinnamon, grapes, and other plant-based foods rich in procyanidin C1 (PC1) may positively affect neuronal function and enhance cognitive abilities. A previously unidentified signaling pathway appears to play a pivotal role in this process.
Researchers from Kyushu University in Japan conducted a recent study to investigate the impact of dietary procyanidin C1 on cognitive functions and the underlying mechanisms. The findings were published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Procyanidin C1, a flavonoid referred to as an epicatechin trimer, is naturally found in abundance in unripe apples, cacao, cinnamon, and grapes, among other sources. Prior research has already highlighted the protective health benefits of procyanidins.
Of particular note are the beneficial effects observed concerning the central nervous system and cognitive performance. However, the precise molecular pathways through which PC1 exerts these positive effects remained unclear until now.
Utilizing a mouse model, the researchers delved into how PC1 influences neuronal function and cognitive capabilities, as well as identifying the mediators of these effects. They also explored whether a low absorption rate might impede its efficacy.
The study’s results indicate that PC1 improves spatial working memory and cognitive functions, with this improvement being mediated by an increase in a specific microRNA, miR-181a-5p, as explained by the research team.
PC1 triggered an elevation in miR-181a-5p levels via the 67 kDa laminin receptor. This, in turn, modulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its downstream signaling pathway.
PC1 induced an increase in the levels of miR-181a-5p by interacting with the 67 kDa laminin receptor, which subsequently influences brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its associated signaling cascade. The research team further elaborated that the crucial role of this microRNA was substantiated by the observation that the positive neuronal alterations in the hippocampus and the resulting cognitive enhancements associated with PC1 were absent when an inhibitor of miR-181a-5p was administered.
In summary, the study’s outcomes suggest that PC1 can modulate brain functions and boost cognitive abilities, even with its low absorption rate, the researchers conclude. The identification of a novel signaling pathway, through which the gut-PC1-microRNA axis impacts cognitive function, is also of significant interest.
Given these new insights, the regular consumption of grapes, cinnamon, cacao, and other PC1-containing foods emerges as a promising strategy for safeguarding cognitive health in aging individuals, although its effects continue to be explored in ongoing research.
About the Author
