Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of icariin in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Background: Icariin (ICA) is the main active component of Epimedium, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), known to enhance cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aims to investigate and summarize the mechanisms through which ICA treats AD.

Methods: The PubMed and CNKI databases were utilized to review the advancements in ICA's role in AD prevention and treatment by analyzing literature published between January 2005 and April 2023. To further illustrate ICA's impact on AD development, tables, and images are included to summarize the relationships between various mechanisms.

Results: The study reveals that ICA ameliorates cognitive deficits in AD model mice by modulating Aβ via multiple pathways, including BACE-1, NO/cGMP, Wnt/Ca²⁺, and PI3K/Akt signaling. ICA exhibits neuroprotective properties by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis through the suppression of ER stress in AD mice, potentially linked to NF-κB, MAPK, ERK, and PERK/Eif2α signaling pathways. Moreover, ICA may safeguard neurons by attenuating mitochondrial oxidative stress injury. ICA can also enhance learning, memory, and cognition by improving synaptic structure via regulation of the PSD-95 protein. Furthermore, ICA can mitigate neuroinflammation by inactivating microglial activity through the upregulation of PPARγ, TAK1/IKK/NF-κB, and JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathways.

Conclusion: This study indicates that ICA possesses multiple beneficial effects in AD treatment. Through the integration of pharmacological and molecular biological research, ICA may emerge as a promising candidate to expedite the advancement of TCM in the clinical management of AD.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Anti-inflammatory; Icariin; Neuronal apoptosis; Neurotransmitter.