Natural Products in the management of Neuro-degenerative Disorders and Narcotic Drug Abuse

Abstract

With an average of around 10 million new cases each year according to WHO, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease (ND) today. Apart from the presence of Amyloid Beta Plaque (ABP) outside the neurons, Sigma-1 Receptor (S1R), a well-known ER membrane bound protein, delocalizes from its natural location, the Mitochondria Associated ER Membrane (MAM). Stabilization of S1R in the MAM has been showing its protective role in the AD by reducing the presence of Amyloid Beta Plaque (ABP). Hence, agonists of S1R are in high demand to be used as potential drug to treat AD. Donepezil hydrochloride is an FDA approved drug that is being used since 1996, but it is associated with detrimental side effects. Hence, Natural compounds seem to be promising for treatment of AD. Here, I report four natural compounds having potential to be used as S1R agonist for treating AD. Using computational techniques such as Molecular Docking, Structure-based Pharmacophore Modelling, ADME Test and Molecular Dynamic Simulation, the natural compounds have been found potential S1R agonist and can be taken to wet lab studies.