Advances in novel anti-neurodegenerative diseases drugs targeting mitochondria / 国际药学研究杂志

ABSTRACT

Mitochondria, the major organelle in neurons, which provides energy via oxidative phosphorylation for all kinds of metabolic activities, is involved in many pathophysiological processes, such as calcium homeostasis and apoptosis. Increasing evidence has indicated that mitochondrial dysfunction displays a significant role in the early stage of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease(PD)and Alzheimer’s disease(AD). Therefore, studies which focus on mitochondrial dysfunction under these pathological conditions contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorder and discovering new neuroprotective drugs. Actually, various mitochondria-targeting agents have been tried in clinic or under different investigational phases against neurodegenerative disorders. This review discusses the evidence on mitochondrial impairments during neurodegenerative diseases and the advances in mitochondria-targeting agents as a potential alternative drug strategy for effective management of neurodegenerative diseases.