scholarly journals Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Beneficial or Harmful in Alzheimer’s Disease?

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sávio Monteiro dos Santos ◽  
Camila Fernanda Rodrigues Romeiro ◽  
Caroline Azulay Rodrigues ◽  
Alícia Renata Lima Cerqueira ◽  
Marta Chagas Monteiro

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by impairments in the cognitive domains associated with orientation, recording, and memory. This pathology results from an abnormal deposition of the β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide and the intracellular accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles. Mitochondrial dysfunctions play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD, due to disturbances in the bioenergetic properties of cells. To date, the usual therapeutic drugs are limited because of the diversity of cellular routes in AD and the toxic potential of these agents. In this context, alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) is a well-known fatty acid used as a supplement in several health conditions and diseases, such as periphery neuropathies and neurodegenerative disorders. It is produced in several cell types, eukaryotes, and prokaryotes, showing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. α-LA acts as an enzymatic cofactor able to regulate metabolism, energy production, and mitochondrial biogenesis. In addition, the antioxidant capacity of α-LA is associated with two thiol groups that can be oxidised or reduced, prevent excess free radical formation, and act on improvement of mitochondrial performance. Moreover, α-LA has mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in genes related to the expression of various inflammatory mediators, such PGE2, COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Regarding the pharmacokinetic profile, α-LA has rapid uptake and low bioavailability and the metabolism is primarily hepatic. However, α-LA has low risk in prolonged use, although its therapeutic potential, interactions with other substances, and adverse reactions have not been well established in clinical trials with populations at higher risk for diseases of aging. Thus, this review aimed to describe the pharmacokinetic profile, bioavailability, therapeutic efficacy, safety, and effects of combined use with centrally acting drugs, as well as report in vitro and in vivo studies that demonstrate the mitochondrial mechanisms of α-LA involved in AD protection.

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reem Habib Mohamad Ali Ahmad ◽  
Marc Fakhoury ◽  
Nada Lawand

: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of neurons leading to cognitive and memory decay. The main signs of AD include the irregular extracellular accumulation of amyloidbeta (Aβ) protein in the brain and the hyper-phosphorylation of tau protein inside neurons. Changes in Aβ expression or aggregation are considered key factors in the pathophysiology of sporadic and early-onset AD and correlate with the cognitive decline seen in patients with AD. Despite decades of research, current approaches in the treatment of AD are only symptomatic in nature and are not effective in slowing or reversing the course of the disease. Encouragingly, recent evidence revealed that exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) can delay the development of AD and improve memory. This review paper discusses findings from in vitro and in vivo studies that investigate the link between EMF and AD at the cellular and behavioural level, and highlights the potential benefits of EMF as an innovative approach for the treatment of AD.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-31
Author(s):  
Hossein Haghaei ◽  
Somaieh Soltani ◽  
Seyedrafie Aref Hosseini ◽  
Mohammad Reza Rashidi ◽  
Saeed Karima

Biological activity of Boswellia extract (BE) has been attributed to its main active ingredients; i.e. Boswellic acids (BAs). BE/BAs possess a promising therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative disorders; including Alzheimer's disease (AD). The multifactorial nature of AD pathophysiology necessitates the development of the disease-modifying agents (DMA). Recent multi-targeting approaches for the DMAs development have brought more attention to the plant-derived compounds regarding their better human compatibility because of their biologic origin. This review addresses the current knowledge on the anti-AD activity of BE/BAs based on the available in silico, in vitro, in vivo studies and clinical trials. The contribution of BE/BAs in inflammatory pathways, Tau and β-amyloid proteins, microtubule functions, oxidative stress, cholinesterase and diabetes/insulin pathways involved in AD have been discussed. BAs efficacy in different AD-related pathways has been confirmed in vitro and in vivo. They can be considered as valuable scaffold/lead compounds for multi-targeted DMAs in anti-AD drug discovery and development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 1767-1794
Author(s):  
Nibedita Ghosh ◽  
Lal Mohan Kundu

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, for which blocking the early steps of extracellular misfolded amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation is a promising therapeutic approach. However, the pathological features of AD progression include the accumulation of intracellular tau protein, membrane-catalyzed cell death and the abnormal deposition of Aβ. Here, we focus on anti-amyloid breaker peptides derived from the Aβ sequence and non-Aβ-based peptides containing both natural and modified amino acids. Critical aspects of the breaker peptides include N-methylation, conformational restriction through cyclization, incorporation of unnatural amino acid, fluorinated molecules, polymeric nanoparticles and PEGylation. This review confers a general idea of such breaker peptides with in vitro and in vivo studies, which may advance our understanding of AD pathology and develop an effective treatment strategy against AD.


2020 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 501-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Júlia Canto e SOUSA ◽  
Ana Carolina Fauaze SANTANA ◽  
Gabriela Jesus Prado MAGALHÃES

ABSTRACT Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive and irreversible loss of cognitive function. The presence of senile plaques is one of the pathological markers of the disease and is associated with the onset of neuroinflammatory mechanisms. The exact pathophysiology of AD has not been completely understood, and there are no curative therapies yet. Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a polyphenol that is noted for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Objective: To review the role of resveratrol in the pathophysiological aspects of AD. Methods: This study carried out a literature review using PubMed/Medline, Virtual Health Library (VHL), Web of Sciences, SCOPUS and the Cochrane Library databases. Original research articles, describing both in vitro and in vivo experiments, published between 2008 and 2018, were included. Results: We identified 667 articles, of which 619 were excluded because they were repeated or did not follow the inclusion criteria. The present study includes the remaining 48 articles. Discussion: Resveratrol demonstrates beneficial and protective effects in AD models and seems to provide a promising therapeutic alternative. Conclusion: Although resveratrol appears to mitigate some pathophysiological aspects of AD, further studies are needed to prove the safety and efficacy of this compound in humans.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 354-359
Author(s):  
Shirin Tarbiat ◽  
Azize Simay Türütoğlu ◽  
Merve Ekingen

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss and impairment of language. Alzheimer's disease is strongly associated with oxidative stress and impairment in the cholinergic pathway, which results in decreased levels of acetylcholine in certain areas of the brain. Hence, inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity has been recognized as an acceptable treatment against Alzheimer's disease. Nature provides an array of bioactive compounds, which may protect against free radical damage and inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity. This study compares the in vitro antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities of hydroalcoholic extracts of five cultivars of Rosa Damascena Mill. petals (R. damascena 'Bulgarica', R. damascena 'Faik', R. damascena 'Iranica', R. damascena 'Complex-635' and R. damascena 'Complex-637') from Isparta, Turkey. The antioxidant activities of the hydroalcoholic extracts were tested for ferric ion reduction and DPPH radical scavenging activities. The anti-acetylcholinesterase activity was also evaluated. All rose cultivars showed a high potency for scavenging free radical and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity. There was a significant correlation between antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Among cultivars, Complex-635 showed the highest inhibitory effect with an IC50 value of 3.92 µg/mL. Our results suggest that all these extracts may have the potential to treat Alzheimer's disease with Complex-635 showing more promise.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nimra Javaid ◽  
Muhammad Ajmal Shah ◽  
Azhar Rasul ◽  
Zunera Chauhdary ◽  
Uzma Saleem ◽  
...  

: Neurodegeneration is a multifactorial process involved the different cytotoxic pathways that lead towards neuronal cell death. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a persistent neurodegenerative disorder that normally has a steady onset yet later on it worsens. The documented evidence of AD neuropathology manifested the neuro-inflammation, increased reactive oxygen, nitrogen species and decreased antioxidant protective process; mitochondrial dysfunction as well as increased level of acetylcholinesterase activity. Moreover, enhanced action of proteins leads towards neural apoptosis which have a vital role in the degeneration of neurons. The inability of commercial therapeutic options to treat AD with targeting single mechanism leads the attraction towards organic drugs. Ellagic acid is a dimer of gallic acid, latest studies expressed that ellagic acid can initiate the numerous cell signaling transmission and decrease the progression of disorders, involved in the degeneration of neurons. The influential property of ellagic acid to protect the neurons in neurodegenerative disorders is due to its antioxidant effect, iron chelating and mitochondrial protective effect. The main goal of this review is to critically analyze the molecular mode of action of ellagic acid against neurodegeneration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dubravka S. Strac ◽  
Marcela Konjevod ◽  
Matea N. Perkovic ◽  
Lucija Tudor ◽  
Gordana N. Erjavec ◽  
...  

Background: Neurosteroids Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate (DHEAS) are involved in many important brain functions, including neuronal plasticity and survival, cognition and behavior, demonstrating preventive and therapeutic potential in different neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. Objective: The aim of the article was to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature on the involvement of DHEA and DHEAS in Alzheimer’s disease. Method: PubMed and MEDLINE databases were searched for relevant literature. The articles were selected considering their titles and abstracts. In the selected full texts, lists of references were searched manually for additional articles. Results: We performed a systematic review of the studies investigating the role of DHEA and DHEAS in various in vitro and animal models, as well as in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, and provided a comprehensive discussion on their potential preventive and therapeutic applications. Conclusion: Despite mixed results, the findings of various preclinical studies are generally supportive of the involvement of DHEA and DHEAS in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease, showing some promise for potential benefits of these neurosteroids in the prevention and treatment. However, so far small clinical trials brought little evidence to support their therapy in AD. Therefore, large-scale human studies are needed to elucidate the specific effects of DHEA and DHEAS and their mechanisms of action, prior to their applications in clinical practice.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy C. Y. Choi ◽  
Judy T. T. Zhu ◽  
Amanda W. Y. Yung ◽  
Pinky S. C. Lee ◽  
Sherry L. Xu ◽  
...  

Despite the classical hormonal effect, estrogen has been reported to mediate neuroprotection in the brain, which leads to the searching of estrogen-like substances for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Flavonoids, a group of natural compounds, are well known to possess estrogenic effects and used to substitute estrogen, that is, phytoestrogen. Flavonoid serves as one of the potential targets for the development of natural supplements and therapeutic drugs against different diseases. The neuroprotection activity of flavonoids was chosen for a possible development of anti-Alzheimer's drugs or food supplements. The estrogenic activity of two flavonoids, baicalein and daidzein, were demonstrated by their strong abilities in stimulating estrogen receptor phosphorylation and transcriptional activation of estrogen responsive element in MCF-7 breast cells. The neuroprotection effects of flavonoids againstβ-amyloid (Aβ) were revealed by their inhibition effects onin vitroAβaggregation and Aβ-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 neuronal cells. More importantly, the estrogenic and neuroprotective activities of individual flavonoid could be further enhanced by the cotreatment in the cultures. Taken together, this synergistic effect of baicalein and daidzein might serve as a method to improve the therapeutic efficacy of different flavonoids against Aβ, which might be crucial in developing those flavonoidsin treating Alzheimer's disease in the future.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Hosney ◽  
Alaa Sakraan ◽  
Aman Asaad ◽  
Mervat El-Deftar ◽  
Emad Elzayat

Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent type of dementia characterized by its progression, neurobehavioral and neuro-pathological characteristics, leading to a diverse neuronal loss. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) have previously proved potential role in preventing the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders, so regarded as a promising new approach for AD regenerative therapy. Taurine was found to enhance stem cell activation and propagation yielding a higher concentration of neural progenitors and stem cells, and aid to lessen the number of activated microglia leading to down-regulated inflammation in vitro. The present study aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic potential of ADMSCs and/or taurine in treating AD rat model. It was planned to include three successive phases; induction, withdrawal, and therapeutic phases. Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into 2 main groups: control (C) group and AD model group. Behavioral changes, as manifested by the T-Maze experiment, had been recorded. β-amyloid levels had been measured in brain homogenate and serum by ELISA. Oxidative stress marker (MDA), and anti-oxidant enzymes activity (SOD, GSH, and CAT) in brain, as well as serum acetylcholine esterase activity were spectrophotometrically determined. Pro-apoptotic (p53 and Bax) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl2) gene expression in brain were evaluated using RT-qPCR. The histopathological alterations in brain tissues were also observed. The present study proved the potential therapeutic ability of ADMSCs and/or taurine in alleviating the adverse pathological changes induced by AlCl3 in AD rat model at both physiological and molecular levels.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document