Integrating Network Pharmacology, Transcriptomics to Reveal Neuroprotective of Curcumin Activate PI3K / AKT Pathway in Parkinson’s Disease

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 workCorrespondence: Tao Chen, Email chentao@hnyxy15.wecom.workBackground: 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