The PLGA-based curcumin treatment for AD uses nanoparticles to transport curcumin to the brain. [1-3] The nanoparticles comprise PLGA, a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer.[5] The nanoparticles are small enough to cross the BBB, which is typically challenging for medications targeting the brain.[5] Once the nanoparticles reach the brain, they release curcumin, reducing neuroinflammation, inhibiting the aggregation of misfolding proteins, and improving neuroprotection and cognition.[1-5] In other words, by decreasing neuroinflammation and inhibiting the development of abnormal proteins, PLGA-based curcumin remedy can slow down or even reverse the advancement of AD.[5-9 Several articles have shown that the PLGA-based curcumin treatment can help in combating other neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease (PD) by reducing PD symptoms, apoptosis, and oxidative stress.[12] The PLGA-based curcumin therapy could provide a wide range of benefits in AD patients by decreasing the progression of most of the pathological aspects of the disorder.[5-10] In addition, this therapy overcomes one of the most challenging aspects of AD treatment, which is to cross the BBB.[1] PLGA-based curcumin provides a safe, viable, stable, nontoxic, and efficient way to fight AD progression.[11] Clinical trials for PLGA-based curcumin are ongoing, aiming to study the effectiveness and safety of using this treatment on humans.[10-13] Even though the results are unavailable, the preclinical studies show remarkable results in mice models.[12]
Benefit summary of the nano-based curcumin delivery system (PLGA-based curcumin)
- Decrease Amyloid beta and tau misfolding, accumulation, and toxicity.
- Improves memory and cognition in AD models (see Fig. 2).
- High circulation time in blood and bioavailability
- Cross the Blood-brain barrier
- Decreases neuronal cell death.
- Reduces neuroinflammation dramatically.
- Enhances neuroprotection and neuroplasticity.
- Inhibit the activation of cytokines.
- Promotes the heat shock response.
- Reduces the immune cell infiltration.
