Administration of Polyphenol-Rich Sugarcane Extract Alleviates Deficits Induced by Amyloid-Beta1–42 (Aβ1–42) in Transgenic C. elegans

Polyphenol-Rich Sugarcane Extract (PRSE), derived from Saccharum officinarum, demonstrates significant neuroprotective effects against amyloid-beta (Aβ1–42)-induced deficits associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study utilized transgenic C. elegans expressing Aβ1–42 to investigate PRSE’s impact on lifespan, sensory behavior, learning, memory, and amyloid fibril accumulation. Supplementation with 5 mg/mL of PRSE extended the mean lifespan of Aβ1–42 worms by 11% (17.78 ± 0.36 days) and reduced amyloid fibril levels by 34% in aged worms compared to untreated worms. PRSE also improved sensory behavior, with a 27% increase in naïve chemotaxis at day 8. Memory deficits were mitigated, with PRSE-treated worms showing 21% and 30% reductions in short-term associative memory loss after 1 h intervals on days 8 and 12, respectively. These improvements can be associated with the polyphenolic compounds in PRSE, which aid in reducing amyloid aggregation. The findings highlight PRSE’s potential as a dietary supplement to address AD-related symptoms and pathologies. Further studies are needed to understand its mechanisms and confirm its effectiveness in mammals, supporting its potential use as a natural preventative supplement for Alzheimer’s and related neurodegenerative diseases.