Introduction Pertaining to ALS Disease Impact
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease. It progressively takes away a person’s ability to control the movement of voluntary muscles. ALS causes first the deterioration of the ability to move and then subsequently the ability to speak and swallow and, ultimately, the ability to breathe. ALS also causes a heavy emotional toll, and while the deterioration of the nervous system occurs quickly and erupts physically, the emotional toll it takes is more prolonged. Due to the emotional torment and the rapid and catastrophic impacts of ALS, there should be no hesitance to look for effective treatments around the world. Scientific advancements are leading to Plant-Based Stem Cell Therapy and, of the various therapies available, it is one of the more promising options available to combat the pathology of ALS.
Cellular Deterioration Mechanisms Explained
Pathologically ALS is the degeneration of upper motor neurons of the cerebral cortex and of the lower motor neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord. The pathway is bilateral and causes the breakdown of voluntary movement execution. Many destructive activities on the cell are concomitant and create a lethal environment for cells. Glutamate excitotoxicity causes an overdose of a lethal level of calcium in motor neurons by causing over stimulation of the neural receptor. Oxidative stress causes a highly reactive environment for a cell and creates an excess of a reactive oxygen species that undermines and causes destruction to the cell. An excess of a reactive oxygen species overwhelms and erodes the natural intracellular antioxidant defenses. Protein misfolding creates TDP-43 that causes a toxic environment within the cell and disrupts the transport systems that are essential for the cell’s existence and survival. Astrocytes and microglia transitioning to chronic active states is the primary driver behind the rapid degeneration of motor neurons. The interplay of these pathological mechanisms make ALS one of the most complicated diseases to treat. It creates a demand for therapeutic approaches for ALS focused on multi-targeted interventions at the cellular level.
The Drawbacks of Current Therapeutic Options
For now, ALS treatments only focus on lengthening lifespan while also alleviating the extreme physical consequences of the disease. The primary treatment is Riluzole, which is a drug that lowers the chances of neural excitotoxicity by reducing the presynaptic release of glutamate. The only other approved ALS drug, Edaravone, is a free radical scavenger and only provides a negligible effect of reducing oxidative stress in neural tissue. While these two drugs are commonly prescribed, the actual benefits from them are extremely disappointing. There are reports that Riluzole may only increase the lifespan of patients by a few months and patients that don’t die from Riluzole treatment usually experience a rapid physical decline that leaves them unable to care for themselves and dependent on multidisciplinary support. The primary constraint of Riluzole and Edaravone is that they offer no value in the treatment of ALS after the physical damage to the neurons has already occurred and the motor neurons continue to be irreversibly lost.
The Advantages of Regenerative Therapeutic Options
Plant-Based Stem Cell Therapy is considered a revolutionary therapeutic option for the treatment of ALS. This is a regenerative therapy that employs phyto-cellular extracts rich in epigenetic factors. These Plant-Based Stem Cell Therapies employ highly complex secondary metabolites, including a wide range of polyphenols; these bioactive polyphenols are potent signaling molecules that provide an extreme neuroprotection. These plant extracts significantly reduce the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by hyperactive microglial cells, which promote the rapid progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In addition, Plant-Based Stem Cell Therapy positively influences the process of complex structural neurogenesis by activating endogenous neural progenitor cells in the central nervous system. Active botanical compounds induce the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is essential for the survival of motor neurons, and which also has a crucial role in enhancing synaptic plasticity. This therapeutic pathway also reduces the effect of harmful oxidative stress by increasing the levels of natural cellular antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes. In this context, Plant-Based Stem Cell Therapy also increases the neuroprotective efficiency of cellular repair by the stimulation of the intrinsic cellular repair mechanisms. This paradigm of multiple targets validates the superiority of Plant-Based Stem Cell Therapy over most of the available pharmaceutical products, which act upon a single target.
Figure 1: The Advantages of Regenerative Therapeutic Options
Prospects for the Future in Thailand
As Thailand improves the implementation of Plant-Based Stem Cell Therapy , the country can become the most important center for the clinical application of this therapy in the world. The unique environment and climate in Thailand provide abundant resources for phytomedical research and advanced biotechnology. Thai researchers study the native vegetation, looking for plant stem cells that have the potential for therapeutic use. Because of the advanced regulatory environment in Thailand, researchers can perform significant clinical trial for neglected diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). By using the local natural flora and the advanced medical services available, Thailand can provide the best conditions for therapeutic research and stem cell therapy. The combination of modern stem cell therapy and the knowledge of the traditional use of botanical therapies in Thailand has the potential to develop therapies for the treatment for ALS. Located in a synergistic environment with geographical scientific positioning, Thailand will soon become a leading site for neuro-regenerative research.