Role of Tau Protein in Alzheimer Disease and its Inhibitors from Plants

Abstract

Alzheimer is a common neurodegenerative disease that affects 45 million people worldwide. Pathogenesis usually begins with formation of plaques and neurofibrillary tangles due to abnormal folding of amyloid beta and tau proteins. Tau proteins are important member of microtubule associated proteins and involved in constitution of microtubules network in neurons which play major role in progression of Alzheimer disease. Hyper phosphorylation and aggregation of Tau protein on chromosome 17 may be the sign of several neurodegenerative pathologies like Alzheimer disease (AD), Parkinsonism, fronto-temporal dementia and Pick disease. The complete cure of AD is not possible be with already marketed drugs. From this review article it is concluded that Tau protein is an important biomarker of Alzheimer disease. Usage of extracts from various plants i.e Danggui Longhui Wang, Hymenialdisine, Morin, Salvia officinalis, Ginseng, helps in effective treatment of disease and hence a step forward to reduce the prevalence of Alzheimer disease.