Traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: A focus on the microbiota–gut–brain axis

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most frequent cause of dementia, is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by a progressive decline in cognitive function that is associated with the formation of amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Gut microbiota comprises of a complex community of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal ecosystem. These microorganisms can participate in gut–brain axis activities, thereby affecting cognitive function and associated behaviours. Increasing evidence has indicated that gut dysbiosis can jeopardise host immune responses and promote inflammation, which may be an initiating factor for the onset and evolution of AD. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a promising resource which encompasses immense chemical diversity and multiple-target characteristics for the treatment of AD. Many TCMs regulate the gut microbiota during treatment of diseases, indicating that gut microbiota may be an important target for TCM efficacy. In this review, we summarised the role of the microbiota–gut–brain axis in the development of AD and the effects of TCM in treating AD by regulating the gut microbiota. We anticipate that this review will provide novel perspectives and strategies for future AD research and treatments.

Keywords

• Alzheimer's disease
• Microbiota–gut–brain axis
• Traditional Chinese medicine
• Neurodegenerative disorder
• Microorganism