Targeting neurodegenerative diseases with bioactive oligosaccharides: Mechanisms and prospects

Sep 18, 2025International immunopharmacology

Using natural sugar molecules to treat brain diseases: how they work and future possibilities

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Abstract

Oligosaccharides may provide novel therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases by targeting multiple pathological mechanisms.

  • Current treatments for neurodegenerative diseases primarily offer symptomatic relief with limited efficacy and notable side effects.
  • Oligosaccharides are low-molecular-weight carbohydrates that have potential as multifunctional agents due to their diverse bioactivities.
  • They may modulate gut-brain axis communication, suppress neuroinflammation, enhance autophagy, and inhibit toxic protein aggregation.
  • The neuroprotective effects of oligosaccharides are influenced by their structural features, including glycosidic bond types, molecular size, and functional modifications.
  • Understanding the structure-activity relationships of oligosaccharides could aid in developing interventions with disease-modifying potential for neurodegenerative pathologies.

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