The potential of natural products to inhibit abnormal aggregation of α-Synuclein in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
Kaixia Yang, Zhongyue Lv, Zhao Wen, Guogang Lai, Cheng Zheng, Feiteng Qi, Cui Zhao, Kaikai Hu, Xiao Dong Chen, Fan Fu, Jiayi Li, Guomin Xie, Haifeng Wang, Xiping Wu, Zheng Wu
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD), as a refractory neurological disorder with complex etiology, currently lacks effective therapeutic agents. Natural products (NPs), derived from plants, animals, or microbes, have shown promising effects in PD models through their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the enhancement of mitochondrial homeostasis and autophagy. The misfolding and deposition of α-Synuclein (α-Syn), due to abnormal overproduction and impaired clearance, being central to the death of dopamine (DA) neurons. Thus, inhibiting α-Syn misfolding and aggregation has become a critical focus in PD discovery. This review highlights NPs that can reduce α-Syn aggregation by preventing its overproduction and misfolding, emphasizing their potential as novel drugs or adjunctive therapies for PD treatment, thereby providing further insights for clinical translation.