Benchi Cai,* Qitong Wang,* Lifan Zhong, Fang Liu, Xinyu Wang, Tao Chen

Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 570311, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Tao Chen, Email chentao@hnyxy15.wecom.work

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most prevalent movement disorder. Curcumin, a polyphenol with hydrophobic properties, has been proved against Parkinson. Our previous study suggested that curcumin’s effectiveness in treating Parkinson’s disease may be linked to the gut-brain axis, although the specific mechanism by which curcumin exerts neuroprotective effects in the brain remains unknown.
Methods: The therapeutic efficacy of curcumin was evaluated using behavioral tests, immunofluorescence of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Network pharmacology and transcriptomics predicted the mechanisms of curcumin in PD. Activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase PI3K/AKT pathway was confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunofluorescence.
Results: Curcumin restored the dyskinesia and dopaminergic neurons damage of MPTP-induced mice. Curcumin against Parkinson’s disease by regulating inflammation, oxidative stress, and aging. The mechanisms of these were associated with activation of PI3K / AKT pathway.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the neuroprotective mechanisms of curcumin activate PI3K / AKT pathway in Parkinson’s disease was revealed by our study.

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, curcumin, network pharmacology, transcriptomics, PI3K / AKT pathway