Inhibition of amyloid fibril growth and dissolution of amyloid fibrils by curcumin-gold nanoparticles

Inhibition of amyloid fibrillation and clearance of amyloid fibrils/plaques are essential for the prevention and treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders involving protein aggregation. Herein, we report curcumin- functionalized gold nanoparticles (Au-curcumin) of hydrodynamic diameter 10-25 nm, which serve to inhibit amyloid fibrillation and disintegrate/dissolve amyloid fibrils. In nanoparticle form, curcumin is water-soluble and can efficiently interact with amyloid protein/peptide, offering enhanced performance in inhibiting amyloid fibrillation and dissolving amyloid fibrils. Our results imply that nanoparticle-based artificial molecular chaperones may offer a promising therapeutic approach to combat neurodegenerative disease. Nanoparticles in amyloid therapy: Curcumin-functionalized water-soluble gold nanoparticles have been found to efficiently inhibit amyloid fibril growth and to disintegrate preformed amyloid fibrils (see figure). Consequently, they serve to reduce amyloid-induced neurotoxicity.