Chinese researchers have made a medical breakthrough potentially beneficial for patients with Alzheimer's disease after they successfully extracted flavonoid from a cotton petal, according to Chinese state media.

The drug component found in cotton petals was discovered by researchers at Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, a subdivision of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Like Us on Facebook

The petals, colored pink and white, becomes highly visible before it transforms into cotton.

At least 20 flavonoid compounds were discovered in the petals, which were crushed and made into tablets for better absorption.

The study of the discovered plant compounds commenced in 2003. Flavonoid has proven to improve learning ability in animals.

Mice served as the primary test subjects of the study. They were divided into two groups: one group had dementia and another group was of natural age.

The flavonoid yielded positive outcome in both groups, resulting in better cognitive function and memory recall.

The research department collaborated with a pharmaceutical marker in order to apply the results of the research and obtain a patent at the same time. The researchers will soon begin their clinical trial, which is roughly the second stage of the development of a potential drug.

Cotton petals are typically found in the Xinjiang, a region where cotton production is prevalent. Before the research acknowledged its medical significance, the petals were just thrown away.

Now, these petals can cost up to 15 RMB per kilogram in the Chinese market.

As China's aging population increases and the country adpots a more modernized lifestyle, the incidence of Alzheimer's disease is also rising sharply.

The rates of dementia and Alzheimer's disease is rapidly increasing in the country and experts say it could be higher than the rates in Europe and the United States soon.

TagsResearchers, flavonoid, cotton plant, Alzheimer's Disease