Role of Natural Compounds and Target Enzymes in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Molecules. 2022 Jun 29;27(13):4175. doi: 10.3390/molecules27134175.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurological condition. The rising prevalence of AD necessitates the rapid development of efficient therapy options. Despite substantial study, only a few medications are capable of delaying the disease. Several substances with pharmacological activity, derived from plants, have been shown to have positive benefits for the treatment of AD by targeting various enzymes, such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), β-secretase, γ-secretase, and monoamine oxidases (MAOs), which are discussed as potential targets. Medicinal plants have already contributed a number of lead molecules to medicine development, with many of them currently undergoing clinical trials. A variety of medicinal plants have been shown to diminish the degenerative symptoms associated with AD, either in their raw form or as isolated compounds. The aim of this review was to provide a brief summary of AD and its current therapies, followed by a discussion of the natural compounds examined as therapeutic agents and the processes underlying the positive effects, particularly the management of AD.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; inhibition activity; management; mechanism of enzyme; natural compound.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / therapeutic use
  • Alzheimer Disease* / drug therapy
  • Butyrylcholinesterase / therapeutic use
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Plants, Medicinal*

Substances

  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • Butyrylcholinesterase

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.