Dietary curcumin: a potent natural polyphenol for neurodegenerative diseases therapy

Abstract

Aggregation of misfolded amyloid proteins is a key factor for synaptic damage and impairment of neuronal communication in several neurodegenerative diseases. Since last few decayed several synthesized compounds, small molecules, drugs have been used to target against these misfolded proteins, but ultimately failed to prevent the misfolded protein aggregations and neurotoxicity effectively. Therefore, therapies for these diseases are elusive and under active investigation. As a potent anti-amyloid activity and its Pleotropic actions, recently curcumin has been used for treatment of several neurodegenerative diseases. It is the main ingredients of turmeric powder of the herb Curcuma longa. Its preferential binding properties with misfolded amyloid proteins attracted researchers to use as a potential therapy to prevent neurodegeneration. Importantly, curcumin is also a safe, inexpensive, easily available polyphenol and it can cross blood brain barrier. Therefore, it is considered one of the promising natural polyphenol for therapy of age related protein misfolding diseases, including several neurodegenerative disorders. In this mini review article we provided conceptual information about the multiple potentials of curcumin for prevention and/ or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.