Title:An Overview of New Possible Treatments of Alzheimer's Disease, Based on Natural Products and Semi-Synthetic Compounds
Volume: 24
Issue: 34
Author(s): Enrico Zanforlin, Giuseppe Zagotto*Giovanni Ribaudo
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova,Italy
Keywords:
Dementia, Alzheimer's disease, beta amyloid, CNS, natural products, semi-synthetic compounds.
Abstract: Background: Dementias and all related neurodegenerative diseases of the Central
Nervous System (CNS) are a current issue arousing a great deal of interest in the international
scientific community. This is due to the increasing number of patients suffering
from these diseases. These pathologies represent a serious problem, not only concerning
the quality of life of the patient, but in addition, the enormous economic efforts that
society has to do for their treatment. There are currently a few strategies that are available
in order to prevent the progression or to mitigate symptoms of the aforementioned diseases.
This consideration is particularly true if we consider the specific pathology of Alzheimer's
Disease (AD).
Methods: We performed a literature search for peer-reviewed articles using different databases,
such as PubMed or Scopus, and exploiting different keywords and different logical
operators.
Results: Ninety-eight papers were included in the review. Four papers give an overview
of the background of the dementias all over the world. The remaining papers are focused
on new possibilities of treatment with natural and semi-synthetic compounds for AD.
Conclusion: The aim of this review is to give an overview of new and promising natural
products and semi-synthetic compounds which could represent a source of “lead compounds”
for the development of new potential drugs that could be a valid therapeutic
strategy for the treatment of this pathology
