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Updated: Nov 8, 2025

Labeling and Imaging of Amyloid Plaques in Brain Tissue Using the Natural Polyphenol Curcumin
Published on: November 1, 2019
Curcumin: A small molecule with big functionality against amyloid aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases and type
Shabnam Radbakhsh1, George E Barreto2,3, Abigail R Bland4,5
1Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Abstract:
Amyloidosis is a concept that implicates disorders and complications that are due to abnormal protein accumulation in different cells and tissues. Protein aggregation-associated diseases are classified according to the type of aggregates and deposition sites, such as neurodegenerative disorders and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Polyphenolic phytochemicals such as curcumin and its derivatives have anti-amyloid effects both in vitro and in animal models; however, the underlying mechanisms are not understood. In this review, we summarized possible mechanisms by which curcumin could interfere with self-assembly processes and reduce amyloid aggregation in amyloidosis. Furthermore, we discuss clinical trials in which curcumin is used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of diseases linking to protein aggregates.
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