Medications regulate autophagy for treatment of Alzheimer's disease

VernacularTitle:药物调节自噬治疗阿尔茨海默病
Author: Cheng-yong TAN ¹ ; Hui-zhen TIAN ¹ ; Huang KUANG ¹ ; Fen-fang HONG ² ; Shu-long YANG ¹
Author Information

1. College of Basic Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
2. Medical Experimental Teaching Center, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
Publication Type:Research Article
Keywords: autophagy; Alzheimer's disease; plant extract compound; medicine
From: Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2019;54(6):984-990
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized clinically as irreversible cognitive dysfunction. Although a significant progress has been made in the study of AD pathogenesis, the effective measures to block AD progress have not been satisfactory. Abnormal autophagy is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of AD, and regulation of autophagy may become a new strategy for AD treatment. Some medicines, which regulate autophagy by mTOR-dependent and independent (Bcl-2/Beclin-1, GSK-3β, and p-AKT) pathways, have shown excellent effects in alleviating AD symptoms. In addition, certain compounds extracted from plants have also been reported to regulate autophagy and prevent AD progression through multiple pathways and multiple targets. This article reviews the recent advances in the regulation of autophagy and AD treatment. It provides a new theoretical basis for clinical treatment of AD.