Neuroprotective effects of curcumin via autophagy induction in 6-hydroxydopamine Parkinson's models

Real-Time Precise Targeting of the Subthalamic Nucleus via Transfer Learning in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease Based on Microelectrode Arrays

In neurodegenerative disorders, neuronal firing patterns and oscillatory activity are remarkably altered in specific brain regions, which can serve as valuable biomarkers for the identification of deep brain regions. The subthalamic nucleus (STN) has been the primary target for DBS in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, changes in the spike firing patterns and spectral power of local field potentials (LFPs) in the pre-STN (zona incerta, ZI) and post-STN (cerebral peduncle, cp) regions were investigated in PD rats, providing crucial evidence for the functional localization of the STN. Sixteen-channel microelectrode arrays (MEAs) with sites distributed at different depths and widths were utilized to record neuronal activities. The spikes in the STN exhibited higher firing rates than those in the ZI and cp. Furthermore, the LFP power in the delta band in the STN was the greatest, followed by that in the ZI, and was greater than that in the cp. Additionally, increased LFP power was observed in the beta bands in the STN. To identify the best performing classification model, we applied various convolutional neural networks (CNNs) based on transfer learning to analyze the recorded raw data, which were processed using the Gram matrix of the spikes and the fast Fourier transform of the LFPs. The best transfer learning model achieved an accuracy of 95.16%. After fusing the spike and LFP classification results, the time precision for processing the raw data reached 500 ms. The pretrained model, utilizing raw data, demonstrated the feasibility of employing transfer learning for training models on neural activity. This approach highlights the potential for functional localization within deep brain regions.

Exploiting Natural Niches with Neuroprotective Properties: A Comprehensive Review

Natural products from mushrooms, plants, microalgae, and cyanobacteria have been intensively explored and studied for their preventive or therapeutic potential. Among age-related pathologies, neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases) represent a worldwide health and social problem. Since several pathological mechanisms are associated with neurodegeneration, promising strategies against neurodegenerative diseases are aimed to target multiple processes. These approaches usually avoid premature cell death and the loss of function of damaged neurons. This review focuses attention on the preventive and therapeutic potential of several compounds derived from natural sources, which could be exploited for their neuroprotective effect. Curcumin, resveratrol, ergothioneine, and phycocyanin are presented as examples of successful approaches, with a special focus on possible strategies to improve their delivery to the brain.

Phytomedicine for neurodegenerative diseases: The road ahead

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) are among the most common causes of death across the globe. NDs are characterized by progressive damage to CNS neurons, leading to defects in specific brain functions such as memory, cognition, and movement. The most common NDs are Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Despite extensive research, no therapeutics or medications against NDs have been proven to be effective. The current treatment of NDs involving symptom-based targeting of the disease pathogenesis has certain limitations, such as drug resistance, adverse side effects, poor blood-brain barrier permeability, and poor bioavailability of drugs. Some studies have shown that plant-derived natural compounds hold tremendous promise for treating and preventing NDs. Therefore, the primary objective of this review article is to critically analyze the properties and potency of some of the most studied phytomedicines, such as quercetin, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), apigenin, and cannabinoids, and highlight their advantages and limitations for developing next-generation alternative treatments against NDs. Further extensive research on pre-clinical and clinical studies for developing plant-based drugs against NDs from bench to bedside is warranted.

Regulation of mitophagy and mitochondrial function: Natural compounds as potential therapeutic strategies for Parkinson's disease

Mitochondrial damage is associated with the development of Parkinson's disease (PD), indicating that mitochondrial-targeted treatments could hold promise as disease-modifying approaches for PD. Notably, natural compounds have demonstrated the ability to modulate mitochondrial-related processes. In this review article, we discussed the possible neuroprotective mechanisms of natural compounds against PD in modulating mitophagy and mitochondrial function. A comprehensive literature search on natural compounds related to the treatment of PD by regulating mitophagy and mitochondrial function was conducted from PubMed, Web of Science and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases from their inception until April 2023. We summarize recent advancements in mitophagy's molecular mechanisms, including upstream and downstream processes, and its relationship with PD-related genes or proteins. Importantly, we highlight how natural compounds can therapeutically regulate various mitochondrial processes through multiple targets and pathways to alleviate oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, Lewy's body aggregation and apoptosis, which are key contributors to PD pathogenesis. Unlike the single-target strategy of modern medicine, natural compounds provide neuroprotection against PD by modulating various mitochondrial-related processes, including ameliorating mitophagy by targeting the PINK1/parkin pathway, the NIX/BNIP3 pathway, and autophagosome formation (i.e., LC3 and p62). Given the prevalence of mitochondrial damage in various neurodegenerative diseases, exploring the exact mechanism of natural compounds on mitophagy and mitochondrial dysfunction could shed light on the development of highly effective disease-modifying or adjuvant therapies targeting PD and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Curcumin promotes renewal of intestinal epithelium by miR-195-3p

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders in the Indian Ayurvedic medical system. According to the theory behind traditional Chinese medicine, turmeric can be distributed in the spleen meridian, for which it has been used as a digestive aid. Curcumin (Cur), a natural polyphenol compound originally derived from turmeric, has anti-inflammatory activity and can assist in treating inflammatory bowel disease.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

To investigate curcumin's protective effects on intestinal epithelium and explore the underlying miR-195-3p-related mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The miR-195-3p mimics were used to over-express miR-195-3p. The in vitro effects of Cur and miR-195-3p on the intestine were shown utilizing intestinal cryptlike epithelial cell line-6 (IEC-6) cells. By fasting for 48 h, an intestinal mucosal atrophy model of SD rats was created in vivo. Cur (25 or 50 mg/kg) was assessed for its protective effect on intestinal epithelium. Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) with an intestinal protective effect reported in our previous research was adopted as a positive drug for the in vivo and in vitro bioactivity evaluation since there is no universally positive drug for either intestinal mucosal restitution or miR-195-3p modulation.

RESULTS

Cur protects the intestinal epithelium and promotes its repair after injury via down-regulating miR-195-3p. In vitro experiments showed that Cur inhibited the apoptosis of IEC-6 cells, stimulated their growth, and down-regulated the level of miR-195-3p in cells. When miR-195-3p was overexpressed, the viability of IEC-6 cells decreased while the apoptosis rate increased. All the above detrimental effects were alleviated after curcumin intervention. Moreover, Cur reversed the effect of miR-195-3p on its downstream occludin. In vivo, results showed that 48-h fasting impaired the integrity of the small intestinal mucosa (abnormal crypt structure and reduced goblet cell number), which was ameliorated by Cur treatment. In addition, the Cur treatment reversed both the increased expression level of miR-195-3p and decreased levels of ki-67 and occludin caused by fasting.

CONCLUSIONS

Cur could promote the proliferation and repair after injury of the intestinal mucosa by down-regulating miR-195-3p.

Paradigms and Success Stories of Natural Products in Drug Discovery Against Neurodegenerative Disorders (NDDs)

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) are multifaceted complex disorders that have put a great health and economic burden around the globe nowadays. The multi-factorial nature of NDDs has presented a great challenge in drug discovery and continuous efforts are in progress in search of suitable therapeutic candidates. Nature has a great wealth of active principles in its lap that has cured the human population since ancient times. Natural products have revealed several benefits over conventional synthetic medications and scientists have shifted their vision towards exploring the therapeutic potentials of natural products in the past few years. The structural mimicking of natural compounds to endogenous ligands has presented them as a potential therapeutic candidate to prevent the development of NDDs. In the presented review, authors have summarized demographical facts about various NDDs including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD) and various types of sclerosis in the brain. The significant findings of new active principles of natural origin along with their therapeutic potentials on NDDs have been included. Also, a description of clinical trials and patents on natural products has been enlisted in this compilation. Although natural products have shown promising success in drug discovery against NDDs, still their use is associated with several ethical issues which need to be solved in the upcoming time.

Effects of curcumin to counteract levodopa-induced toxicity in zebrafish

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor dysfunction due to the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Currently, treatment of PD has focused on increasing dopamine levels, using a dopamine precursor, levodopa (L-DOPA) or stimulation of dopaminergic receptors. Prolonged use of L-DOPA is associated with the occurrence of motor complications and dyskinesia, attributed to neurotoxic effects of this drug. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin (CUR), a lipophilic polyphenol, to counteract L-DOPA induced toxicity. Zebrafish larvae were pre-treated with CUR (0.05 µM) or vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 24 hr and subsequently exposed to L-DOPA (1 mM) or vehicle. Immediately and 24 hr after L-DOPA exposure, spontaneous swimming and dark/light behavioral tests were performed. In addition, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation products were determined at the end of treatment. CUR significantly improved the motor impairment induced by 24 hr L-DOPA treatment, and reduced levels of ROS and lipoperoxidation products in zebrafish larvae. In conclusion, our results suggest that CUR acts as a neuroprotector against toxicity initiated by L-DOPA. Evidence suggests the observed effects of CUR are associated with its antioxidant properties.

Autophagy and neuroprotection in astrocytes exposed to 6-hydroxydopamine is negatively regulated by NQO2: relevance to Parkinson's disease

Dopaminergic degeneration is a central feature of Parkinson's disease (PD), but glial dysfunction may accelerate or trigger neuronal death. In fact, astrocytes play a key role in the maintenance of the blood-brain barrier and detoxification. 6-hydroxydopamine (6OHDA) is used to induce PD in rodent models due to its specific toxicity to dopaminergic neurons, but its effect on astrocytes has been poorly investigated. Here, we show that 6OHDA dose-dependently impairs autophagy in human U373 cells and primary murine astrocytes in the absence of cell death. LC3II downregulation was observed 6 to 48 h after treatment. Interestingly, 6OHDA enhanced NRH:quinone oxidoreductase 2 (NQO2) expression and activity in U373 cells, even if 6OHDA turned out not to be its substrate. Autophagic flux was restored by inhibition of NQO2 with S29434, which correlated with a partial reduction in oxidative stress in response to 6OHDA in human and murine astrocytes. NQO2 inhibition also increased the neuroprotective capability of U373 cells, since S29434 protected dopaminergic SHSY5Y cells from 6OHDA-induced cell death when cocultured with astrocytes. The toxic effects of 6OHDA on autophagy were attenuated by silencing NQO2 in human cells and primary astrocytes from NQO2-/- mice. Finally, the analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus datasets showed elevated NQO2 gene expression in the blood cells of early-stage PD patients. These data support a toxifying function of NQO2 in dopaminergic degeneration via negative regulation of autophagy and neuroprotection in astrocytes, suggesting a potential pharmacological target in PD.

Nanocarrier-mediated curcumin delivery: An adjuvant strategy for CNS disease treatment

Neurological disorders are a major global challenge, which counts for a substantial slice of disease burden around the globe. In these, the challenging landscape of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and neuro-AIDS, demands innovative and novel therapeutic approaches. Curcumin, a versatile natural compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, shows great potential as a CNS adjuvant therapy. However, its limited bioavailability and suboptimal permeability to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) hamper the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin. This review explores how nanocarrier facilitates curcumin delivery, which has shown therapeutic efficacy for various non-CNS diseases, for example, cancers, and can also revolutionize the treatment outcomes in patients with CNS diseases. Toward this, intranasal administration of curcumin as a non-invasive CNS drug delivery route can also aid its therapeutic outcomes as an adjuvant therapy for CNS diseases. Intranasal delivery of nanocarriers with curcumin improves the bioavailability of curcumin and its BBB permeability, which is instrumental in promoting its therapeutic potential. Furthermore, curcumin's inhibitory effect on efflux transporters will help to enhance the BBB and cellular permeability of various CNS drugs. The therapeutic potential of curcumin as an adjuvant has the potential to yield synergistic effects with CNS drugs and will help to reduce CNS drug doses and improve their safety profile. Taken together, this approach holds a promise for reshaping CNS disease management by maximizing curcumin's and other drugs' therapeutic benefits.

Curcumin, inflammation, and neurological disorders: How are they linked?

Background

Despite the extensive research in recent years, the current treatment modalities for neurological disorders are suboptimal. Curcumin, a polyphenol found in Curcuma genus, has been shown to mitigate the pathophysiology and clinical sequalae involved in neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods

We searched PubMed database for relevant publications on curcumin and its uses in treating neurological diseases. We also reviewed relevant clinical trials which appeared on searching PubMed database using 'Curcumin and clinical trials'.

Results

This review details the pleiotropic immunomodulatory functions and neuroprotective properties of curcumin, its derivatives and formulations in various preclinical and clinical investigations. The effects of curcumin on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), brain tumors, epilepsy, Huntington's disorder (HD), ischemia, Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) with a major focus on associated signalling pathways have been thoroughly discussed.

Conclusion

This review demonstrates curcumin can suppress spinal neuroinflammation by modulating diverse astroglia mediated cascades, ensuring the treatment of neurological disorders.

Theracurmin Modulates Cardiac Inflammation in Experimental Model of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection

Theracurmin is a nanoparticle formulation derived from curcumin, a bioactive compound known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, triggers an intense inflammatory response in mammals and also causes severe tissue damage. To evaluate the immunomodulatory and antiparasitic effects of Theracurmin, Swiss mice were experimentally infected with 10³ trypomastigote forms of the Colombian strain of T. cruzi and submitted to daily therapy with 30 mg/kg of Theracurmin. In addition, daily benznidazole therapy (100 mg/kg) was performed as a positive control. We evaluated the systemic and tissue parasitism, the survival and the body mass rate, the release of inflammatory mediators (TNF, IL-6, IL-15, CCL2 and creatine kinase) and the tissue inflammation at day 30 post-infection. Theracurmin therapy reduced the parasitemia curve without altering the animals' survival rate, and it protected mice from losing body mass. Theracurmin also reduced CCL2 in cardiac tissue, IL-15 in cardiac and skeletal tissue, and plasma CK. Even without effects on TNF and IL-6 production and tissue amastigote nests, Theracurmin reduced the leukocyte infiltrate in both evaluated tissues, even in the case of more effective results observed to the benznidazole treatment. Our data suggest Theracurmin has an immunomodulatory (CCL2, IL-15, CK and tissue leukocyte infiltration) and a trypanocidal effect (on circulating parasites) during experimental infection triggered by the Colombian strain of T. cruzi. Further investigations are necessary to comprehend the Theracurmin role performed in combination with benznidazole or other potential anti-T. cruzi chemical compounds.

The dosage of curcumin to alleviate movement symptoms in a 6-hydroxydopamine-induced Parkinson's disease rat model

Background

Curcumin is a natural compound with extensive pharmacological effects. This research is to verify the optimal dose and administration duration efficacy of curcumin in alleviating the movement symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

Wistar rats were divided into six groups including control, model, levodopa treatment and low/middle/high (40/80/160 mg/kg/d) curcumin treatment groups. After stereotactic brain injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), curcumin was given by intragastric administration for 2 weeks. To evaluate the drug effect, the rats received behavioral tests including apomorphine (APO)-induced rotation test, rotarod test and open field test. Then the rats were sacrificed and the brain slices including substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) were used for immunofluorescence staining.

Results

After 6-OHDA injection, the model group showed typical movement symptoms including the severe APO-induced rotation to the healthy side, decreased latency in the rotarod with constant or accelerative mode, and decreased total distance and average speed in the open field test. In the results of immunofluorescence staining, the 6-OHDA induced a severe damage of dopaminergic neurons in SNc. The 160 mg/kg/d treatment of curcumin to intervene for 2 weeks alleviated most of the behavioral disorders but the 40/80 mg/kg/d treatment showed limitations. Then, we compared the effect of 1 week intervention to the 2 weeks with 160 mg/kg/d treatment of curcumin to intervene and results indicated that the treatment of 2 weeks could better alleviate the symptoms.

Conclusions

Curcumin alleviated 6-OHDA-induced movement symptoms in a PD rat model. Additionally, the effect of curcumin against PD indicated dose and duration dependent and the intervention of 160 mg/kg/d for 2 weeks showed optimally therapeutic effect.

Antiparkinsonian Effects of Polyphenols: A Narrative Review with a Focus on the Modulation of the Gut-brain Axis

Polyphenols, which are naturally occurring bioactive compounds in fruits and vegetables, are emerging as potential therapeutics for neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Polyphenols have diverse biological activities, such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and α-synuclein aggregation inhibitory effects, which could ameliorate PD pathogenesis. Studies have shown that polyphenols are capable of regulating the gut microbiota (GM) and its metabolites; in turn, polyphenols are extensively metabolized by the GM, resulting in the generation of bioactive secondary metabolites. These metabolites may regulate various physiological processes, including inflammatory responses, energy metabolism, intercellular communication, and host immunity. With increasing recognition of the importance of the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) in PD etiology, polyphenols have attracted growing attention as MGBA regulators. In order to address the potential therapeutic role of polyphenolic compounds in PD, we focused on MGBA. DATA AVAILABILITY: Data will be made available on request.

Phytotherapeutic targeting of the mitochondria in neurodegenerative disorders

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by degeneration or cellular atrophy within specific structures of the brain. Neurons are the major target of neurodegeneration. Neurons utilize 75-80% of the energy produced in the brain. This energy is either formed by utilizing the glucose provided by the cerebrovascular blood flow or by the in-house energy producers, mitochondria. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been associated with neurodegenerative diseases. But recently it has been noticed that neurodegenerative diseases are often associated with cerebrovascular diseases. Cerebral blood flow requires vasodilation which to an extent regulated by mitochondria. We hypothesize that when mitochondrial functioning is disrupted, it is not able to supply energy to the neurons. This disruption also affects cerebral blood flow, further reducing the possibilities of energy supply. Loss of sufficient energy leads to neuronal dysfunction, atrophy, and degeneration. In this chapter, we will discuss the metabolic modifications of mitochondria in aging-related neurological disorders and the potential of phytocompounds targeting them.

Phytotherapeutic alternatives for neurodegenerative dementias: Scientific review, discussion and therapeutic proposal

The incidence and prevalence of age-related neurodegenerative dementias have been increasing. There is no curative therapy and conventional drug treatment can cause problems for patients. Medicinal plants traditionally used for problems associated with ageing are emerging as a therapeutic resource. The main aim is to give a proposal for use and future research based on scientific knowledge and tradition. A literature search was conducted in several searchable databases. The keywords used were related to neurodegenerative dementias, ageing and medicinal plants. Boolean operators and filters were used to focus the search. As a result, there is current clinical and preclinical scientific information on 49 species used in traditional medicine for ageing-related problems, including neurodegenerative dementias. There are preclinical and clinical scientific evidences on their properties against protein aggregates in the central nervous system and their effects on neuroinflammation, apoptosis dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, gabaergic, glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems alterations, monoamine oxidase alterations, serotonin depletion and oestrogenic protection. In conclusion, the potential therapeutic effect of the different medicinal plants depends on the type of neurodegenerative dementia and its stage of development, but more clinical and preclinical research is needed to find better, safer and more effective treatments.

Activities of (Poly)phenolic Antioxidants and Other Natural Autophagy Modulators in the Treatment of Sanfilippo Disease: Remarkable Efficacy of Resveratrol in Cellular and Animal Models

Sanfilippo disease, caused by mutations in the genes encoding heparan sulfate (HS) (a glycosaminoglycan; GAG) degradation enzymes, is a mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), which is also known as MPS type III, and is characterized by subtypes A, B, C, and D, depending on identity of the dysfunctional enzyme. The lack of activity or low residual activity of an HS-degrading enzyme leads to excess HS in the cells, impairing the functions of different types of cells, including neurons. The disease usually leads to serious psychomotor dysfunction and death before adulthood. In this work, we show that the use of molecules known as dietary (poly)phenolic antioxidants and other natural compounds known as autophagy activators (genistein, capsaicin, curcumin, resveratrol, trehalose, and calcitriol) leads to accelerated degradation of accumulated HS in the fibroblasts of all subtypes of MPS III. Both the cytotoxicity tests we performed and the available literature data indicated that the use of selected autophagy inducers was safe. Since it showed the highest effectivity in cellular models, resveratrol efficacy was tested in experiments with a mouse model of MPS IIIB. Urinary GAG levels were normalized in MPS IIIB mice treated with 50 mg/kg/day resveratrol for 12 weeks or longer. Behavioral tests indicated complete correction of hyperactivity and anxiety in these animals. Biochemical analyses indicated that administration of resveratrol caused autophagy stimulation through an mTOR-independent pathway in the brains and livers of the MPS IIIB mice. These results indicate the potential use of resveratrol (and possibly other autophagy stimulators) in the treatment of Sanfilippo disease.

Curcumin protects PC12 cells from a high glucose-induced inflammatory response by regulating the miR-218-5p/TLR4 axis

BACKGROUND

Curcumin exerts a protective effect on diabetic encephalopathy (DN), It is known for its potent neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. However, the underlying mechanisms of curcumin's neuroprotective effects resulting from high glucose (HG)-induced injuries remain unknown. The purpose of this study is to identify the protective mechanism of Curcumin in the DN.

METHODS

In this study, pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) were pretreated with different concentrations of Curcumin and then co-treated with Curcumin and glucose for 48 hours, and the cell viability was evaluated by CCK-8, the expression of the inflammatory mediators were detected by ELISA, the miR-218-5p and toll-like receptors (TLR4) level were examined by both quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting, the potential target genes of miR-218-5p were identified using luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

The viability of PC12 cells treated with HG was significantly reduced in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cotreatment of curcumin with HG significantly increased cell viability. Curcumin inhibited the expression of the inflammatory mediators, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), and induced the expression of the anti-inflammatory mediator interleukin-10 (IL-10). Curcumin upregulated the levels of miR-218-5p and downregulated the expression of TLR4 in HG-treated PC12 cells. The curcumin-induced anti-inflammatory effect was abrogated by a miR-218-5p inhibitor and overexpression of TLR4. The results suggest that curcumin ameliorates the inflammatory response by upregulating miR-218-5p levels in PC12 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate a protective role for curcumin in PC12 cells and suggest that it should be considered for the prophylactic treatment of DN in the future.

A network pharmacology approach to identify the mechanisms and molecular targets of curcumin against Alzheimer disease

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disease, which may lead to severe memory loss and other cognitive disorders. However, few effective drugs are available in the clinic at present. Curcumin, a major ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine, Curcuma Longa, has various pharmacological activities. Therefore, exploring clinical drugs based on the inhibition of AD pathological features is imperative.

METHODS

First, we utilized the HERB database and Swisstarget Prediction database to get the related targets of curcumin and intersected with the AD targets. The intersection targets were used to construct the protein-protein interaction network and performed gene ontology and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analyses. Further, we obtained targets of curcumin against AD-related tau and aβ pathology via the AlzData database. These targets were applied to perform GEO and receiver operating characteristic analyses. Finally, the reliability of the core targets was evaluated using molecular docking technology.

RESULTS

We identified 49 targets of curcumin against AD, and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that the Alzheimer disease pathway (has05010) was significantly enriched. Even more, we obtained 16 targets of curcumin-related Aβ and tau pathology. Among these targets, 8 targets involved the Alzheimer disease pathway and the biological process analyses showed that positive regulation of cytokine production (GO:0001819) was significantly enriched. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that HMOX1, CSF1R, NFKB1, GSK3B, BACE1, AR, or PTGS1 expression was significantly different compared to the control group in the AD patients. Finally, molecular docking studies suggested these genes have a good binding force with curcumin.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we identified curcumin exerted the effect of treating AD by regulating multitargets and multichannels through the method of network pharmacology.