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A study from structural insight to the antiamyloidogenic and antioxidant activities of flavonoids: scaffold for future therapeutics of Alzheimer’s disease

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Abstract

Neurotoxicity occurs in Alzheimer’s disease due to the formation of Amyloid-β peptide aggregates and damage caused by oxidative stress. Upon aggregation of amyloid-β peptides, oxidative stress is generated; however, oxidative stress can also promote excess amyloid-β peptide production and aggregate formation. Currently available therapeutic options are little effective against Alzheimer’s disease, and they cannot stop the progression of the disease. As a new therapeutic alternative rather than inhibiting amyloid-β peptide production, inhibiting amyloid-β peptide aggregation along with oxidative stress management may be more effective considering that these processes are not typically associated with normal physiology. In addition to antiamyloidogenic properties, flavonoids exhibit antioxidant properties as well. The structural features of flavonoids that are needed for these two activities are similar. Even oxidized flavonoids are more likely to inhibit the aggregation of Amyloid-β peptides. Thus, the discovery of flavonoids with superior antioxidant activity could lead to the identification of better aggregation inhibitors. Despite flavonoids having the potential to be used as drugs, there are no medications that can be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. This review describes how the structural features of different flavonoids affect their antiamyloidogenic and antioxidant activities, which may help develop future therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease.

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Acknowledgements

MSD acknowledges Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-means Scholarship scheme of Government of West Bengal for his fellowship. The author gratefully acknowledges Dr. Soumalee Basu of Department of Microbiology of University of Calcutta for sharing her knowledge.

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    Madhu Sudan Dutta

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Dutta, M.S. A study from structural insight to the antiamyloidogenic and antioxidant activities of flavonoids: scaffold for future therapeutics of Alzheimer’s disease. Med Chem Res 32, 15–31 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00044-022-02990-z

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