Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2018, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (4): 742-752.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.230303

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Use of curcumin in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Min Chen1, Zhi-Yun Du1, Xi Zheng1, 2, 3, 4, Dong-Li Li3, 4, Ren-Ping Zhou2, Kun Zhang1, 3, 4   

  1. 1 Institute of Natural Medicinal Chemistry & Green Chemistry, College of Light Industry and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
    2 Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
    3 Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong Province, China
    4 International Healthcare Innovation Institute (Jiangmen), Jiangmen, Guangdong Province, China
  • Received:2018-02-08 Online:2018-04-15 Published:2018-04-15
  • Contact: Kun Zhang, Ph.D.,kzhang@gdut.edu.cn
  • Supported by:

    This study was supported by a grant from the Department of Education of Guangdong Province of China, No. 2016KCXTD005

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Abstract:

This review summarizes and describes the use of curcumin in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. For diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid-β and highly phosphorylated tau protein are the major biomarkers. Curcumin was developed as an early diagnostic probe based on its natural fluorescence and high binding affinity to amyloid-β. Because of its multi-target effects, curcumin has protective and preventive effects on many chronic diseases such as cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. For prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, curcumin has been shown to effectively maintain the normal structure and function of cerebral vessels, mitochondria, and synapses, reduce risk factors for a variety of chronic diseases, and decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The effect of curcumin on Alzheimer’s disease involves multiple signaling pathways: anti-amyloid and metal iron chelating properties, antioxidation and anti-inflammatory activities. Indeed, there is a scientific basis for the rational application of curcumin in prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Key words: nerve regeneration, curcumin, Alzheimer’s disease, senile dementia, early diagnosis, positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, biological availability, chemical components, neurodegeneration, neural regeneration