Autophagy in disease management: Exploring the potential of natural products as targeted therapies

Area of Science:

• Cellular Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Pathogenesis

Background:

• Autophagy is a fundamental cellular process involving the degradation and recycling of intracellular components through lysosomes, essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis.
• Dysregulation of autophagy is linked to the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and infections.
• Mutations in autophagy-related genes and impaired substrate degradation are increasingly recognized as contributing factors to disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the complex role of autophagy in disease pathogenesis.
• To explore the potential of natural products in modulating autophagy for therapeutic interventions.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent scientific literature on autophagy, genetics, and natural products.
• Analysis of molecular targets and pathways involved in autophagy modulation.
• Synthesis of findings on the dual role of autophagy in disease.

Main Results:

• Autophagy plays a multifaceted role in disease, acting as both a protective mechanism and a contributor to pathology depending on the context.
• Specific genetic mutations can impair autophagy, leading to disease development.
• Natural products demonstrate potential to regulate autophagy via various molecular targets.

Conclusions:

• Targeting autophagy presents a complex but promising therapeutic strategy for a range of diseases.
• Natural products offer a valuable avenue for developing novel autophagy-modulating therapies.