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Neurotrophic Natural Products
Yoshiyasu Fukuyama1, Miwa Kubo2, Kenichi Harada2
1Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan. fukuyama@ph.bunri-u.ac.jp.
Progress in the Chemistry of Organic Natural Products
|February 10, 2024
Summary
Neurotrophins show promise for neurodegenerative disorders but struggle to cross the blood-brain barrier. Small molecule natural products offer a viable alternative, mimicking neurotrophic actions for potential therapeutic development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF, NT3, NT4) are crucial for neuronal survival, differentiation, and function, making them potential therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.
- Clinical trials with neurotrophins have been limited by their inability to cross the blood-brain barrier due to their large protein size.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore small-molecular-weight natural products as alternatives to neurotrophins for treating neurodegenerative disorders.
- To review natural products with neurotrophic properties, including neurogenesis, neuritogenesis, and neuroprotection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of natural products with documented neurotrophic activities.
- Focus on the chemical structures and biological mechanisms of selected neurotrophic natural products.
Main Results:
- Identified various natural products exhibiting neurotrophic effects.
- Highlighted the potential of these compounds to stimulate endogenous neurotrophins or enhance neurotrophic signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- Small molecule natural products represent a promising therapeutic avenue for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease.
- Further investigation into the chemistry and biology of these natural products could lead to novel treatments.
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