Polyphenols as therapeutic molecules in Alzheimer's disease through modulating amyloid pathways

Mol Neurobiol. 2015 Apr;51(2):466-79. doi: 10.1007/s12035-014-8722-9. Epub 2014 May 15.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex and multifactorial neurodegenerative condition. The complex pathology of this disease includes oxidative stress, metal deposition, formation of aggregates of amyloid and tau, enhanced immune responses, and disturbances in cholinesterase. Drugs targeted toward reduction of amyloidal load have been discovered, but there is no effective pharmacological treatment for combating the disease so far. Natural products have become an important avenue for drug discovery research. Polyphenols are natural products that have been shown to be effective in the modulation of the type of neurodegenerative changes seen in AD, suggesting a possible therapeutic role. The present review focuses on the chemistry of polyphenols and their role in modulating amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing. We also provide new hypotheses on how these therapeutic molecules may modulate APP processing, prevent Aβ aggregation, and favor disruption of preformed fibrils. Finally, the role of polyphenols in modulating Alzheimer's pathology is discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Amyloid / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Amyloid / metabolism*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Polyphenols / metabolism*
  • Polyphenols / pharmacology
  • Polyphenols / therapeutic use
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Polyphenols