Functional Implications of Marine Biosurfactants and Their Therapeutic Potential Against Alzheimer's Disease

Neuronal damage and cerebral impairment are defining characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with amyloid-β aggregation, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Current treatments mainly provide symptomatic relief and do not effectively prevent disease progression, highlighting the need for novel disease-modifying strategies. Marine microorganisms produce amphiphilic substances called biosurfactants that exhibit diverse biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective activities. Due to their amphiphilic nature, biosurfactants may interact with cellular membranes and modulate crucial pathological processes in AD, including inhibiting amyloid-β fibrillation, reducing oxidative stress, suppressing neuroinflammation via pathways such as NF-κB signaling, and enhancing drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier. Notably, various biosurfactant classes, such as lipopeptides, exhibit significant neuroprotective potential. This review explores the structural diversity and biological functions of marine biosurfactants, their potential as therapeutic candidates for managing AD, and the pathophysiology of AD. Overall, marine biosurfactants represent promising and sustainable therapeutic options for AD; however, extensive experimental and clinical research is necessary to confirm their effectiveness.