African walnut ethanolic extract

African walnut ethanolic extract (WNE) is a research-stage natural product derived from the seeds of Tetracarpidium conophorum. It has been studied primarily in preclinical models of Parkinson's disease and manganese-induced neurotoxicity (manganism). The extract's therapeutic potential is attributed to its ability to act as a molecular chaperone inducer, specifically upregulating heat shock proteins HSP70 and HSP90, and increasing the activity of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase). These mechanisms facilitate the proper folding of proteins and reduce the accumulation of alpha-synuclein. Furthermore, WNE exhibits neuroprotective effects by modulating oxidative stress, improving glucose bioenergetics, and suppressing neuroinflammatory markers such as iNOS and COX-2. Currently, development remains in the academic research phase, with significant studies conducted at Nigerian universities.

Other names

Tetracarpidium conophorum ethanolic extractAfrican walnut extract