Therapeutic potential of spermidine in neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract

In recent years, a progressive increase in the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases has been observed. The etiology and pathophysiology of Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases are diverse; however, universal mechanisms occurring during neurodegeneration warrant attention. Among the best-characterized are chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and altered autophagy processes resulting from abnormal protein aggregation. Neuronal loss of structure and function is accompanied by impaired repair mechanisms. Given the lack of therapies capable of halting neurodegeneration progression, studies aimed at identifying substances that activate natural cellular repair mechanisms or mitigate factors promoting neurodegeneration are of significant importance. Recently, spermidine has attracted considerable interest from research teams worldwide. This study aims to present evidence confirming the broad spectrum of spermidine’s effects in models replicating degenerative changes in the central nervous system, highlighting its influence on mechanisms of neuronal cell death associated with neurodegenerative diseases.