Natural Compounds (Small Molecules) as Potential and Real Drugs of Alzheimer's Disease: A Critical Review
Abstract
In the introductory chapter, the critical review about the use of small molecules of natural origin deals with the consequences of pathophysiological processes of Alzheimer's disease (AD) as essential basis for rational intervention to moderation of this disease. Substantial attention is given to impact on beta-amyloid (A beta) production, undesirable destructive processes, which take place in central nervous system on the basis of A beta activity, and possibilities of their affection (use of alpha-secretase elicitors, BACE1 inhibitors, antioxidants and scavengers, inhibitors of A beta-induced neurotoxicity, and A beta oligomer aggregation).
Inhibitors of A beta-induced inflammation of cells and agonists of PPARgamma transcription factors also play significant role in this issue. During the AD progression, it is necessary to pay attention to tau-protein metabolism which is pathologically associated with tangles (glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors), and to interactions of A beta with the receptors for final products of advanced glycation (inhibitors of RAGEs).
Within the scope of cholinergic theory, the attention is paid on natural cognitive drugs (inhibitors of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase), substances improving brain metabolism (nootropics), and compounds affecting brain concentration of some neuromediators (inhibitors of prolyl endopeptidase).