Natural products as potential modulators of pro-inflammatory cytokines signalling in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder and the primary cause of dementia in the elderly population. Previous studies have suggested that numerous processes are involved in the development of AD, such as the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, hyperphosphorylated tau (τ) proteins, and the pro-inflammatory cytokine signalling pathway, which results in neuroinflammation. Elevated microglial activation and the expression of cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) also participate in the pro-inflammatory process of AD. Together, these processes contribute significantly to disease progression. To slow disease progression, this review focuses on pro-inflammatory cytokine signalling and the molecular mechanisms influenced by natural compounds. Natural products have many known beneficial health effects in neurodegenerative diseases, specifically because of their anti-inflammatory properties. Natural products are capable of decreasing symptoms and alleviating the development of several diseases, including AD, thus attracting the attention of the scientific community and the pharmaceutical industry. This review focuses on the therapeutic potential of abundant natural products and their bioactive compounds, which can modulate pro-inflammatory cytokine signalling in AD.