Therapeutic implications of crocin in Parkinson's disease: A review of preclinical research

Abstract

Parkinson's disease is among the most common forms of neurodegenerative illness, with present treatment being primarily symptomatic and frequently coming with substantial adverse effects. Neuronal degeneration may arise due to a variety of pathological events, like inflammatory responses, neurotransmitter dysregulation, oxidative damage, mitochondrial malfunction, apoptosis, and genetic factors. The health issue and financial burden brought on by Parkinson's disease can worsen as the population ages. In the search for new and secure therapeutic agents for Parkinson's disease, several natural compounds have been shown to exert considerable neuroprotective benefits. Crocin, a naturally occurring carotenoid molecule, was found to have neuroprotective potential in the therapy of this disorder. Taking into account, the outcomes of various studies and the restorative actions of crocin, the present study emphasized the protective ability of crocin in this disease. Given the strong evidence supporting the neuroprotective ability of crocin, it is inferred that crocin inhibits inflammatory, apoptotic, and antioxidant processes through multiple mechanisms. Therefore, this compound is considered a safe and effective therapeutic choice for neurodegenerative illnesses like Parkinson's disease. However, more research on its efficacy as a treatment of Parkinson's disease is needed, specifically examining its mechanisms and the results obtained in clinical trials.

Exendin‐4: A potential therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease

“…Nonetheless, nonmotor symptoms such as loss of smell (anosmia), depression, constipation, rapid eye movement and sleep disturbances can manifest long before the onset of movement impairments (Bansal, Mishra, et al., 2023; Bansal, Singh, et al., 2023; Goyal, Agrawal, et al., 2023; Sung & Nicholas, 2013). Neuroinflammation, a reduction in dopamine levels, and oxidative stress are significant contributors to the initiation and advancement of this type of neurodegeneration (Goyal, Verma, et al., 2023). Given its potential to enhance dopamine levels and its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties, exendin‐4 holds promise as a potential therapy for PD (Singh et al., 2023).…”

“…AD is defined by the presence of neurofibrillary tangles composed of excessively phosphorylated tau and amyloid plaques made up of amyloid. In addition, the aetiology of AD frequently involves abnormal insulin signalling and brain insulin resistance (Arnold et al., 2018; Goyal, Agrawal, et al., 2023; Goyal, Dubey, et al., 2023; Goyal, Verma, et al., 2023; Bansal, Mishra, et al., 2023; Bansal, Singh, et al., 2023). Considering this, exendin‐4's potential neuroprotective benefits make it a hopeful contender for AD therapy.…”