Author(s):
Rahmi Novita Yusuf, Adrial, Desmawati, Nur Indrawaty Lipoeto
Email(s):
indralipoeto@med.unand.ac.id
DOI:
10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00112
Address:
Rahmi Novita Yusuf1,5, Adrial2, Desmawati3, Nur Indrawaty Lipoeto4*
1Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University, Indonesia.
2Departement of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Andalas Universirsity, Indonesia.
3Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University, Padang, Indonesia.
4Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University, Padang, Indonesia.
5Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Syedza Saintika University, Padang, Indonesia.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 19,
Issue - 2,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
1) Background: Catechins from Uncaria gambir exhibit antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Animal studies suggest they reduce oxidative stress and downregulate amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene expression, a contributor to amyloid plaque formation in cognitive decline. However, human studies, particularly in the elderly, remain limited, and molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Objective: To evaluate the effect of Uncaria gambir catechin supplementation on APP gene expression, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and cognitive function in the elderly. 2) Methods: A double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted involving 58 elderly participants (=60 years) in Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia, with MoCA-Ina scores of 20–25. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a daily 224mg Uncaria gambir catechin supplement (n=29) or a placebo (n=29) for 12 weeks. APP gene expression, MDA levels, and cognitive performance (MoCA-Ina) were measured before and after the intervention. 3) Results: After 12 weeks, the intervention group demonstrated a significant decrease in APP gene expression and MDA levels, along with a notable improvement in MoCA-Ina scores compared to the control group. 4) Conclusion: Daily supplementation with 224mg Uncaria gambir catechins over 12 weeks significantly reduced oxidative stress and APP gene expression while improving cognitive function in the elderly. This study addresses prior research gaps by providing clinical evidence in a human elderly population and offers insight into the molecular pathways involved.
Cite this article:
Rahmi Novita Yusuf, Adrial, Desmawati, Nur Indrawaty Lipoeto. The effect of Catechin of Uncaria Gambir on Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) Gene Expression and Malondialdehyde (MDA) Level and Cognitive Function amongst The Elderly: An Experimental Study. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(2):780-7. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00112
Cite(Electronic):
Rahmi Novita Yusuf, Adrial, Desmawati, Nur Indrawaty Lipoeto. The effect of Catechin of Uncaria Gambir on Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) Gene Expression and Malondialdehyde (MDA) Level and Cognitive Function amongst The Elderly: An Experimental Study. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(2):780-7. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00112 Available on: https://rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-19-2-41
REFERENCES:
1. Afzal O, Dalhat MH, Altamimi ASA, Rasool R, Alzarea SI, Almalki WH, Murtaza BN, Iftikhar S, Nadeem S, Nadeem MS, Kazmi I. Green Tea Catechins Attenuate Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cognitive Deficits. Molecules. 2022; 27(21): 76. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27217604
2. Baba Y, Inagaki S, Nakagawa S, Kaneko T, Kobayashi M, Takihara T. Effect of Daily Intake of Green Tea Catechins on Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Subjects: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Molecules. 2020; 25(18): 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25184265
3. Baba Y, Inagaki S, Nakagawa S, Kaneko T, Kobayashi M, Takihara T. Effects of L-Theanine on Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Subjects: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study. J Med Food. 2021; 24(4): 333. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2020.4803
4. Baba Y, Inagaki S, Nakagawa S, Kobayashi M, Kaneko T, Takihara T. Effects of Daily Matcha and Caffeine Intake on Mild Acute Psychological Stress-Related Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2021; 13(5): 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051700
5. Baba Y, Kaneko T, Takihara T. Matcha consumption maintains attentional function following a mild acute psychological stress without affecting a feeling of fatigue: A randomized placebo-controlled study in young adults. Nutr Res. 2021; 88: 44–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2020.12.024
6. Bai F, Xie C, Yuan Y, Shi Y, Zhang Z. Promoter haplotypes of interleukin-10 gene linked to cortex plasticity in subjects with risk of Alzheimer’s disease. NeuroImage Clin. 2018; 17: 587–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl.2017.11.019
7. Patel RN, Patel UY, Sen DJ. Polyphenol Antioxidants of Green Tea as Free Radical Scavengers in Green Heart Nanotechnology. Res J Sci Tech. 2010; 2(5): 89–94.
8. Setyawan EI, Setyowati EP, Rohman A, Simultaneous Determination of Epigallocatechin Gallate, Catechin, and Caffeine from Green Tea Leaves (Camellia sinensis L) Extract by RP-HPLC. Res J Pharm Tech. 2020; 13(3): 1489–94.
9. Bao J, Liu W, Zhou HY, Gui YR, Yang YH, Wu MJ, Xiao YF, Shang JT, Long GF, Shu XJ. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Alleviates Cognitive Deficits in APP/PS1 Mice. Curr Med Sci. 2020; 40(1): 18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-020-2142-z
10. Choi YY, Maeda T, Fujii H, Yokozawa T, Kim HY, Cho EJ, Sano T. Oligonol improves memory and cognition under an amyloid β(25-35)-induced Alzheimer’s mouse model. Nutr Res. 2014; 34(7): 595. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2014.06.008.
11. Kumaravel P, Melchias G, Vasanth N, TM. Epigallocatechin Gallate Attenuates Behavioral Defects in Sodium Valproate Induced Autism Rat Model. Res J Pharm Tech. 2017; 10(5): 1477–80.
12. Deng Y, Zhang X, Chen F, Huang J, Zhang D, LJ. HO-1 mediated by PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway is involved in (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate-rescuing impaired cognitive function induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rat model. Exp Aging Res. 2022; 48(5): 428. doi: 10.1080/0361073X.2021.2011689.
13. Chen C, Li B, Chen H, Qin Y, Cheng J, He B, Wan Y, Zhu D, GF. Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Ameliorated Iron Accumulation and Apoptosis and Promoted Neuronal Regeneration and Memory/Cognitive Functions in the Hippocampus Induced by Exposure to a Chronic High-Altitude Hypoxia Environment. Neurochem Res. 2022; 47(8): 2254. doi: 10.1007/s11064-022-03611-2.
14. Kim TG, Bae SH, KYK. Effects of Dual-Task Training with Different Intensity of Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Function and Neurotrophic Factors in Chronic Stroke Patients. Res J Pharm Tech. 2019; 12(2): 693–8.
15. Velraj M, NL. Alzheimer Disease and a Potential Role of Herbs: A Review. Res J Pharm Tech. 2018; 11(6): 2695–700.
16. Dautzenberg G, Lijmer J, Beekman A. Diagnostic accuracy of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for cognitive screening in old age psychiatry: Determining cutoff scores in clinical practice. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2020; 35(3): 261. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.5227
17. Fasrini UU, Susanti R, Lipoeto N. Effects of Uncaria gambir Catechins on Locomotor and Neurocognitive Functions in Female Mice with Alzheimer’s Disease Model Neurona. 2017; 35(1). https://doi.org/10.52386/neurona.v35i1.37
18. Han M, Thwin MM, Aung CL, Yi MS, Yee KT, Mat Nor MN, VB. The Relationship between Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Level and Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged Male Chronic Smokers. Res J Pharm Tech. 2020; 13(10): 4925–30.
19. Ide K, Yamada H, Takuma N, Kawasaki Y, Harada S, Nakase J, Ukawa Y, Sagesaka YM. Effects of green tea consumption on cognitive dysfunction in an elderly population: A randomized placebo-controlled study. Nutr J. 2015; 15(1): 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-016-0168-7
20. Ide K, Yamada H, Takuma N, Park M, Wakamiya N, Nakase J, Ukawa Y, Sagesaka Y. Green Tea Consumption Affects Cognitive Dysfunction in the Elderly: A Pilot Study. Nutrients. 2014; 6(10): 403. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu6104032
21. Mahendra I, MA. Extraction and Characterization of Catechins from Gambir (Uncaria gambir Roxb). Chem J Univ Negeri Padang. 2022; 11(1).
22. Park SH, SN. The Effect of Dual Task Program on Reducing the Risk of Dementia in Older Adults. Res J Pharm Tech. 2017; 10(7): 2255–9.
23. Pervin M, Unno K, Ohishi T, Tanabe H, Miyoshi N, Noda Y. Beneficial Effects of Green Tea Catechins on Neurodegenerative Diseases. Molecules. 2018; 23(6): 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23061029
24. Sheng Y, Sun Y, Yang T, Yanru Y, Jiarou W, Zhang F, Liu Y, Shen Y. Catechins: an antioxidant stress-protective mechanism in atherosclerosis. Pharmacology. 2023; 14: 114487. PMID: 37033663.
25. Nan S, Wang P, Zhang Y, Fang J. Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Provides Protection Against Alzheimer’s Disease-Induced Learning and Memory Impairments in Rats. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2021;15:2013. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S289473.
26. Ashrafian H, Zadeh EH, Khan RH. Review on Alzheimer’s disease: Inhibition of amyloid beta and tau tangle formation. Int J Biol Macromol. 2021; 167: 382–3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.11.192
27. Ayaz M, Mosa OF, Nawaz A, Hamdoon AAE, Elkhalifa MEM, Sadiq A, Ullah F, Ahmed A, Kabra A, Khan H, MH. Neuroprotective potentials of lead phytochemicals against Alzheimer’s disease with focus on oxidative stress-mediated signaling pathways: Pharmacokinetic challenges, target specificity, clinical trials and future perspectives. Phytomedicine. 2024; 124: 155272. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155272.
28. Rosalina L, Lipoeto I, Amir D, Nasru EP. Inhibition of Free Radicals and Improvement of Cognitive Function in an Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model by Gambir Catechins UNES J Scientech Res. 2017; 2(2): 148–58.
29. Schmidt HL, Carrazoni GS, Garcia A, Izquierdo I, Mello-Carpes PB, CF. Strength training or green tea prevent memory deficits in a β-amyloid peptide-mediated Alzheimer’s disease model. Exp Gerontol. 2021; 143: 111186. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2020.111186.
30. Yeung CHC, Lau KWD, Au Yeung SL, Schooling CM. Amyloid, tau and risk of Alzheimer’s disease: a Mendelian randomization study. Eur J Epidemiol. 2021; 36(1): 81. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-020-00683-8
31. Yu H, Wu J. Amyloid-β: A double agent in Alzheimer’s disease? Biomed Pharmacother. 2021; 139: 111575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111575
32. Zhang R, Zhang L, Li Z, Zhang P, Song H, Yao D, Cao J, Zhang J. Green tea improves cognitive function through reducing AD-pathology and improving anti-oxidative stress capacity in Chinese middle-aged and elderly people. Front Aging Neurosci. 2022;14:919766. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2022.919766
33. Sebayang JI, Sari MI, Ichwan MI. The effect of gambir leaf extract (Uncaria gambir Roxb) on oxidative stress levels and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus of aging-induced female mice using D-galactose. J Farmasi (JFM). 2020; 3(1): 26–30.
34. Rosita N, Nailufa Y, DMH. Characteristics, Stability and Activity of Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG)-Chitosan Microspheres: Effect of Polymer Concentration. Res J Pharm Tech. 2020;13(5):2303–9.
35. Kim J, Funayama S, Izuo N, Sano T. Dietary supplementation of a high-temperature-processed green tea extract attenuates cognitive impairment in PS2 and Tg2576 mice. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2019; 83(12): 2364–70. doi: 10.1080/09168451.2019.1659721
36. Cha J, Kim HS, Kwon G, Cho SY, Kim J. Acute effects of (-)-gallocatechin gallate-rich green tea extract on the cerebral hemodynamic response of the prefrontal cortex in healthy humans. Front Neuroergon. 2023; 4: 11363. doi: 10.3389/fnrgo.2023.1136362. PMID: 38234497
37. Ahn JW, Kim S, Ko S, Kim YH, Jeong JH, Choi S. Modified (-)-gallocatechin gallate-enriched green tea extract rescues age-related cognitive deficits by restoring hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Biochem Biophys Rep. 2022; 29: 1012. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2022.101201. PMID: 35198737