Curcumin in Alzheimer's disease: Can we think to new strategies and perspectives for this molecule?

Population aging is an irreversible global trend with economic and
socio-political consequences. One of the most invalidating outcomes of aging in
the elderly is cognitive decline, leading to dementia and often related to
neurodegenerative disorders. Among these latter, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the
major cause of dementia, affecting more than 30 million of individuals worldwide.
To date, the treatment of AD remains a challenge because of an incomplete
understanding of the events that lead to the selective neurodegeneration typical
of Alzheimer's brains. There is an enormous global demand for new effective
therapies and researchers are investigating new fields. One promising strategy is
the use of nutraceuticals as integrative, complementary and preventive therapy.
Curcumin is one example of natural product with anti-AD properties, with
promising potential for prevention, treatment and diagnostic. The limitations in
the use of curcumin as therapeutic are represented by its pharmacokinetics
profile and the low bioavailability after oral administration. However, curcumin
has been the focus of intense research for new drug development. Here we analyzed
some new approaches that have been applied in the attempt to improve its use,
particularly new formulations, changes in the way of administration,
nanotechnology-based delivery systems and the hybridization strategy.