The role of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease and evaluation of the effect of the Standardized Extract of Asparagus Officinalis Stem in mild cognitive impairment

Recently, new intervention tools at the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage are needed to prevent dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to evaluate the role of neuroinflammation in AD and whether the Standardized Extract of Asparagus Officinalis Stem (ETAS), as a functional ingredient, effectively maintains cognitive functions in subjects with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and MCI. This study was conducted as a pilot randomized controlled trial lasting 12 months. 30 subjects were randomly divided into two groups, with 15 subjects in the control group and 15 subjects in the ETAS group. All subjects received Blood tests (including immunological status and HSP70) and Brain tests in the beginning and in the end of study, and also received neuropsychological questionnaires at all visit timing. The intervention of ETAS slight increase in the expression of HSP70 in blood. The ETAS group also maintained normal levels of CD4/CD8 immune complex. It showed a significant improvement in scores on MMSE, FAB, HADS and tend to improve in scores on CDT. No adverse events of any kind were detected during the study period. ETAS supplementation could prevent the progression of cognitive decline and anxiety/depression expression associated with the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.