This common kitchen herb ingredient could help target or slow Alzheimer's
In a study published in the journal Antioxidants earlier this year, researchers from the Scripps Research Institute identified a compound called carnosic acid, which is prevalent in rosemary and sage.
Advertisement
The compound could prove therapeutic for neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, the experts concluded.
Carnosic acid contains 'striking antioxidant [and] anti-inflammatory properties,' the researchers wrote in the findings.
Scripps Research postdoctoral associate Piu Banerjee and board-certified neurologist Dr. Stuart Lipton, based in California, spoke with Fox News Digital about the results.
'In this study, we observed that administering this drug to mice that had advanced Alzheimer's-like disease significantly improved the number of neurons, as well as the number of synapses or connections between the brain cells,' the team said.
Advertisement
4 Experts believe they've identified a chemical compound, carnosic acid, in certain herbs like rosemary and sage that could help mitigate or prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Brent Hofacker – stock.adobe.com
The experts added, 'It also reduced inflammation that is caused by the current anti-amyloid antibody therapies. We also observed an improvement in the learning and memory behavior of the mice that received the drug.'
Banerjee and Lipton also noted that carnosic acid is a 'prodrug,' meaning it's inactive at first — but once it enters the body, it's activated by oxidative and inflammatory stress.
'It specifically targets cells undergoing oxidative and inflammatory stress, without affecting the healthy, normal brain cells,' Banerjee said.
Advertisement
'This further makes it a safe option for therapeutics.'
The experts agreed that carnosic acid could potentially improve the inflammation that generally occurs in most aging brains.
There are cautions, however.
Advertisement
Courtney Kloske, director of scientific engagement for the Chicago-based Alzheimer's Association, told Fox News Digital that studies based on a mouse model of Alzheimer's can be helpful but are not conclusive.
4 Experts say carnosic acid could improve inflammation occurring in most aging brains.
LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – stock.adobe.com
'Models are important in helping us understand the basic biology of the disease, but we need human studies in representative populations for ideas to be fully validated,' Kloske said.
'Therefore, while these are intriguing findings, more research is needed to understand the impacts and outcomes of these compounds on people living with, or at risk for, Alzheimer's.'
Cooking sage and rosemary won't provide the full anti-inflammatory effects, Banerjee and Lipton stressed.
4 'We need human studies in representative populations for ideas to be fully validated,' Courtney Kloske, director of scientific engagement for the Chicago-based Alzheimer's Association, says about the limitations of the information.
Photographee.eu – stock.adobe.com
'Critically, one cannot take sufficient herbs safely to produce the same effect as our new drug,' Banerjee said.
The study, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged.
Advertisement
Kloske advised that, at this point, 'no one should consume these herbs (or carnosic acid) to prevent or treat Alzheimer's or other cognitive impairment.'
4 According to Scripps Research postdoctoral associate Piu Banerjee and board-certified neurologist Dr. Stuart Lipton, cooking sage and rosemary won't provide the full anti-inflammatory effects.
Ganna – stock.adobe.com
Dr. Lee Murray, a neurologist in Jackson, Tennessee, echoed Kloske's concerns.
'Before patients start incorporating rosemary and sage in every dish they eat, we need to remember these studies are pre-clinical,' Murray told Fox News Digital.
Advertisement
'Currently, there is insufficient clinical evidence to recommend rosemary and sage as a standard therapy for Alzheimer's dementia.'
Murray, however, said the data 'is encouraging' and opens the door to additional pathways for potential therapeutics.
Banerjee said she hopes that 'our drug will start human clinical trials soon.'
She added, 'If it proves to be effective, it will be a great new drug for those suffering from Alzheimer's … From the results of our animal studies, we are cautiously optimistic for its success in human clinical trials.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
2 hours ago
- Boston Globe
In 2023, Mass. hospitals pushed executive pay to new heights
That total reflected base salary, bonus pay, retirement benefits, and more. It was a 40.1 percent increase from the prior year, and included roughly $4.3 million in bonus and incentive pay. The amount is the highest total compensation reported by a Massachusetts hospital CEO in at least the last decade. In a statement, MGB Board Chairman Scott Sperling stood by Klibanski's compensation package, which he said was based on industry benchmarks with input from a consultant. Advertisement 'The challenges facing our industry are many, and the competition for top talent is unprecedented. It is imperative that we actively and robustly recruit and retain at every level to ensure we can expertly care for patients and communities for years to come,' Sperling said. 'Our objective, on average, is to base compensation for our senior executives at the 50th percentile of the current market, with performance driving any adjustments,' he said. Advertisement Previously, the health system has pointed to the leaders at other national health systems than her Massachusetts colleagues. Indeed, her 2023 salary ranked below some, including CEO of New York-based Northwell Health ($9 million) and Arizona-based Banner Health ($14 million). However Klibanski eclipsed others, including the CEOs at Cleveland Clinic ($7 million), and Mayo Clinic ($4.3 million). While the most recent compensation report lags by two years, Sperling pointed to how Klibanski had handled recent challenges as an example of what he said was her 'clear-eyed leadership,' including disruptive federal actions that have threatened research and an inpatient capacity crises. Dr. Anne Klibanski, with then-Governor Charlie Baker, pictured speaking at a coronavirus briefing in 2020. Sam Doran/Pool 'The Board of Directors fully supports Dr. Klibanski's compensation package ... which reflects her achievements and stewardship of an organization of this size and complexity,' Sperling said. Klibanski had plenty of company in the ranks of well-paid Massachusetts hospital executives in 2023. Dr. Kevin Tabb, who heads the state's second largest health system, Beth Israel Lahey Health, also reported a sizable increase, with his $5.4 million in total compensation representing a 93 percent increase from the prior year. The increases were a return to compensation Tabb reported in 2021, and were largely thanks to increases in bonus and incentive comp, as well as retirement and other deferred compensation. Dr. Eric Dickson, chief executive of UMass Memorial Health, reported a nearly 26 percent increase in total comp, to $3.9 million. The hospital said it changed its retirement plan in 2023, prompting an early payout of some benefits. That shift subsequently boosted the incentive compensation of several executives, including Dickson. Advertisement Similarly, Dr. Michael Gustafson, who left as president of UMass's flagship hospital, UMass Memorial Medical Center, in July 2023, reported a 60 percent increase in total comp to $2.8 million. Michael Dandorph, who helms Tufts Medicine, also reported a double digit increase in total comp. His $2.1 million total compensation was 32 percent higher than the previous year. Dr. Alastair Bell, CEO of Boston Medical Center Health System since June 2023 and its president since November 2022, saw his total comp increase by 34 percent to $1.9 million. Large jumps weren't universal. Other executives saw smaller changes including Dr. Kevin Churchwell ($3.2 million, down 5 percent) at Boston Children's Hospital, Dr. Mark Keroack ($2.8 million, a 4.8 percent increase) at Baystate Health where he served until 2024, and Dr. Laurie Glimcher ($2.5 million, up 5 percent) at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute which she led until 2024. Dr. Kevin Churchwell, CEO of Boston Children's Hospital, saw his compensation go down 5 percent from 2022 to 2023. Erin Clark/Globe Staff The data tracks with a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, which showed that executives overseeing large teaching hospitals nationally were the highest compensated. The study, However, there was no association between compensation and the degree of community benefit a hospital provided, nor was higher compensation associated with better patient mortality rates or readmission rates, according to the study. The Massachusetts Nurses Association lambasted executives for the pay, particularly as they said the quality of care at hospitals across the state has suffered. 'At a time when nearly 80% of Massachusetts nurses say hospital care has gotten worse in the last two years, it is deeply troubling that hospital CEOs are taking home enormous compensation packages while continuing to fail to ensure safe conditions for patients and direct care providers,' the nurses union said in a statement. Advertisement 'The very same executives receiving millions of dollars per year are making decisions not to invest in bedside care or listen to caregivers,' it said. The salaries reflect a time when hospitals were just beginning to climb out of the effects from the pandemic. Volume and revenue had begun to rebound in the year that for many hospitals ended September 2023, with Often, hospital executive compensation has been tied to a system's size and comparisons to others in the market, said Susan Malanowski, managing director of compensation consultant the Wilson Group. There are pressures on boards to hire competent executives, and the pool of applicants is smaller than it has been in the past. 'To be competitive, it is what it is,' Malanowski said. 'There is not really a big supply of competent CEOs or c-suite (executives).' While the most recent compensation data is for 2023, hospitals will be harder pressed to support large pay packages in 2025 and onward, Malanowski predicted. Uncertainty at the federal level will mean non-profit institutions will have to be more circumspect about where they set base salaries, and compensation increases are projected to be smaller. Advertisement Jessica Bartlett can be reached at
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Warren Buffett's company reveals new investments in Nucor, UnitedHealth and two big homebuilders
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Berkshire Hathaway revealed four new investments Thursday in steelmaker Nucor, insurer UnitedHealth and two of the nation's biggest homebuilders — Lennar and DR Horton — but it's not clear if the investments are big enough to ensure that legendary investor Warren Buffett handled them. Buffett, who plans to retire as CEO at the end of the year after six decades of building Berkshire, handles all of the conglomerate's biggest investments worth $1 billion or more. Three of the new investments disclosed Thursday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission are worth less than that, so they could be the ideas of one of Berkshire's two other investment managers. But Berkshire's new UnitedHealth stake that was also revealed Thursday was worth $1.57 billion, so that one could be big enough to be Buffett's handiwork. Berkshire got permission from the SEC to keep the other three investments confidential earlier this year while it built those stakes, but it apparently bought nearly 5 million UnitedHealth shares just in the second quarter. That stock jumped nearly 8% in aftermarket trading. Berkshire's filings simply offer a snapshot of its $258 billion portfolio at the end of the second quarters. Many investors comb through Berkshire's filings every quarter because they like to follow Buffett's moves. His record of trouncing the S&P 500 for decades has inspired legions of followers. The filing doesn't make clear who at Berkshire handled each investment. Besides Buffett, Ted Weschler and Todd Combs also pick stocks, but they generally handle smaller portfolios and Combs also serves as Geico's CEO. But Buffett has had a hard time finding stocks or any other investments in recent years that he wants to invest much of Berkshire's $344 billion cash in. Berkshire's Nucor stake of 6.6 million shares was the biggest new investment worth roughly $857 million at the end of the quarter. Shares of that company rose more than 6% in extended after-hours trading. The Lennar investment was worth nearly $800 million. While the DR Horton stake was much smaller worth $191.5 million. Those companies' stocks also saw gains in late trading Buffett already knows quite a lot about the home building business because Berkshire owns the nation's largest manufactured homebuilder, Clayton Homes. Besides stocks, Berkshire owns dozens of companies in a variety of industries including Geico insurance, BNSF railroad, several major utilities and an assortment of manufacturing and retail companies. The Omaha, Nebraska-based company's holdings include many well-known brands like See's Candy and Dairy Queen. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights Envista, BioLife Solutions, InfuSystems and MariMed
For Immediate Release Chicago, IL – August 15, 2025 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses Envista Holdings NVST, BioLife Solutions BLFS, InfuSystems Holdings INFU and MariMed MRMD. Industry: Medical Products Link: The Zacks Medical - Products industry is likely to remain under pressure through the rest of 2025. While procedural volumes are stable, growth is slowing and high-cost, advanced procedures face adoption and funding hurdles. Capital spending is uneven, with longer sales cycles and reliance on expensive technologies creating risks. Innovation in electrophysiology, structural heart, and AI imaging is struggling to translate into consistent revenues amid regulatory delays, competition and payer scrutiny. Emerging markets face policy headwinds, notably China's margin-eroding volume-based procurement. Tariffs, component shortages, COVID testing declines and product discontinuations are further squeezing margins. Without a clear demand rebound or easing cost pressures, the risks led to continued underperformance for the sector. However, industry participants, such as Envista Holdings, BioLife Solutions, InfuSystems Holdings and MariMed, have adapted to changing consumer preferences, and most of them are witnessing a rise in their share price. These companies also carry a favorable Zacks Rank. Industry Description The industry includes companies that provide medical products and cutting-edge technologies for healthcare services. These companies are primarily focused on research and development and cater to vital therapeutic areas like cardiovascular, nephrology and urology devices. The increase in procedure volumes is driving sales, particularly for surgical products and services. At the same time, cost-cutting measures are helping companies improve their bottom-line performance. However, the industry's profitability picture is under significant strain. Tariff-related expenses are cutting into margins, forcing companies into complex and costly supply-chain restructuring. Persistent component shortages, though less widespread than in prior years, continue to create inefficiencies and constrain output in certain product lines. Additionally, the sharp drop in COVID-relate Major Trends Shaping the Future of the Medical Products Industry AI, Medical Mechatronics & Robotics: The increasing adoption of minimally invasive, robot-assisted surgeries, automated home care, IT-driven patient management, and value-based payment models underscores the rising influence of AI in the Medical Products sector. At the forefront is mechatronics — a fusion of electronics, machine learning, and mechanical engineering — driving innovation across the industry. Companies are making significant progress in AI, robotics, and medical mechatronics, with robotic surgical platforms enabling less invasive procedures and reducing patient trauma. Meanwhile, 3D printing is reshaping the landscape, now used to produce stem cells, blood vessels, heart tissue, prosthetics and skin. These advances highlight the sector's transformative shift toward precision, personalization and improved clinical outcomes. Rising Demand for IVD: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a rise in global demand for diagnostic testing kits to curb the spread of the virus. Testing became a pressing need, leading to a shift in the IVD product pipeline, with many rapid, point-of-care devices entering development. Diagnostic kit manufacturers not only received emergency use authorization from the FDA but also bolstered production to help address testing shortages. Industry players anticipate significant demand for rapid diagnostic testing in the future and are poised to capitalize on this opportunity. Emerging Markets Hold Promise: Driven by growing medical awareness and rising economic prosperity, emerging economies are experiencing strong demand for medical products. Factors such as aging populations, more relaxed regulatory environments, affordable skilled labor, increasing household wealth, and government investment in healthcare infrastructure make these markets highly attractive to global medical device companies. Zacks Industry Rank The Zacks Medical Products industry falls within the broader Zacks Medicalsector. It currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #149, which places it in the bottom 39% of more than 250 Zacks industries. The group's Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all member stocks, indicates bright near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. Before we present a few medical product stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let's take a look at the industry's recent stock-market performance and valuation picture. Industry Performance While the industry has outperformed its own sector, it has underperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite in the past year. Stocks in this industry have collectively risen 5.1% against the Zacks Medical sector's decline of 19.9%. The S&P 500 has increased 17.2% in the same time frame. Industry's Current Valuation On the basis of the forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E), which is commonly used for valuing medical stocks, the industry is currently trading at 21.4X compared with the S&P 500's 22.9X and the sector's 18.5X. Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 27.4X and as low as 17.9X, with the median being at 22X. 4 Promising Medical Product Stocks Envista Holdings enters the second half of 2025 with momentum from a solid first-half performance, supported by diversified growth across equipment, consumables, and specialty products. Continued strength in orthodontics, particularly Brackets & Wires and Spark Clear Aligners, will be augmented by product launches like Spark Retainers, AI-enhanced DTX Studio Clinic and Implant Direct scanning solutions. Penetration into dental service organizations (DSOs) and double-digit growth in emerging markets remain key levers. Operational improvements, including a 15% G&A reduction and manufacturing expansion in Suzhou, China, support margin resilience and local-for-local supply strategies. Pricing actions and cost controls are expected to offset tariff pressures, while acquisitions add incremental growth. Strong demand in infection prevention, diagnostics, and implants should continue, with the third quarter benefiting from Spark Deferral revenue. Stable dental market conditions, coupled with strategic investments in sales, marketing, and R&D, position Envista to deliver on its raised guidance for 2025. For this Brea, CA-based company, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 revenues is pinned at $2.61 billion. The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.12 per share. NVST delivered a trailing four-quarter average negative earnings surprise of 16.50%. Presently, the company sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). BioLife Solution is set to benefit from strong demand recovery in cell and gene therapy (CGT) tools, as customer manufacturing activity continues to normalize. The recent integration of Astero, Sexton, and other acquired technologies expands its bioproduction solutions portfolio, allowing deeper penetration into high-growth biopharma segments. Expansion of the cryo-storage services footprint, particularly through the SciSafe network, positions the company to capture more recurring revenues. Efforts to optimize manufacturing capacity and reduce COGS should support margin expansion. New product launches in media and biopreservation, alongside an expanded international sales presence, will help address broader customer needs. Strategic partnerships with therapy developers are expected to drive higher adoption of integrated workflow solutions. While macro uncertainty and biotech funding volatility remain potential headwinds, BioLife's diversified portfolio, operational efficiencies and exposure to commercial-stage CGT programs provide a solid foundation for growth through year-end. For this Bothell, WA-based company, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 revenues indicates a year-over-year decline of 11.7%. The consensus estimate for earnings indicates growth of 171.4%. It delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 123.61%, on average. Presently, the company sports a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. InfuSystem Holdings' growth trajectory in the second half of 2025 is anchored in its Device Solutions and Patient Services segments. Expansion of oncology and wound care programs, coupled with growing demand for infusion pumps and related disposables, is expected to lift volumes. The company is capitalizing on the broader adoption of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) through partnerships with large healthcare providers. A stronger equipment rental base and fleet optimization efforts should further enhance recurring revenue streams. INFU is also investing in service coverage expansion and technology upgrades to improve customer experience and retention. Operational efficiencies from centralized distribution and maintenance hubs are set to reduce turnaround times and lower costs. The integration of new payer contracts and an expanding referral network will support top-line growth. Risks include reimbursement changes and hospital capital spending constraints, but INFU's recurring revenue model and expanding therapeutic reach are positioned to offset these pressures in the near term. Currently, INFU sports a Zacks Rank of 1. For this Rochester Hills, MI-based company, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 revenues is pegged at $144.2 million. The consensus mark for loss is pinned at 26 cents per share. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 79.17%. MariMed's growth in the remainder of 2025 will be driven by retail expansion, wholesale penetration and new product innovation in the cannabis sector. The opening of new dispensaries in high-traffic markets, along with remodeling existing locations to improve customer flow, is expected to boost sales. The company is scaling cultivation capacity and optimizing yields to meet growing demand while lowering production costs. Expansion of branded product lines, including edibles and wellness offerings, should strengthen shelf presence and margins. Wholesale growth is supported by increasing distribution agreements across multiple states. Investments in automation and processing technology aim to improve consistency and efficiency. Regulatory developments in key states, particularly around adult-use legalization, could provide an upside catalyst. While the industry faces pricing pressure and regulatory uncertainty, MariMed's vertically integrated model, brand strength, and disciplined capital allocation are set to underpin growth in the second half of the year. Currently, MRMD sports a Zacks Rank #1. For this Springfield, MA-based company, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 loss is pinned at 3 cents per share. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 50.00%. Free: Instant Access to Zacks' Market-Crushing Strategies Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year. Today you can tap into those powerful strategies – and the high-potential stocks they uncover – free. No strings attached. Get all the details here >> Join us on Facebook: Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates. Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@ Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report BioLife Solutions, Inc. (BLFS) : Free Stock Analysis Report InfuSystems Holdings, Inc. (INFU) : Free Stock Analysis Report Envista Holdings Corporation (NVST) : Free Stock Analysis Report MariMed Inc. (MRMD) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
