Molecular neurobiologyJan 21, 2023

The NLRP3 Inflammasome as a Possible Treatment Target in Brain Diseases

Alzheimers & Treatments Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Apr 6, 2026

Abstract

NLRP3 inflammasome is closely linked to neurological disorders, highlighting its potential as a pharmacological target.

NLRP3 plays a crucial role in the innate immune system and is associated with various diseases.
The activation mechanism of NLRP3 remains unclear despite extensive research.
Recent advances have identified regulatory pathways and pharmacological approaches targeting NLRP3 in neurological conditions.
Small-molecule inhibitors are being explored, but there is a specific focus on the potential of Chinese herbal medicine.
Botanical ingredients may offer new therapeutic avenues for treating central nervous system disorders.

Simplified

NLRP3 (NLRP3: NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3) inflammasome is the best-described inflammasome that plays a crucial role in the innate immune system and a wide range of diseases. The intimate association of NLRP3 with neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases and strokes, further emphasizes its prominence as a clinical target for pharmacological intervention. However, after decades of exploration, the mechanism of NLRP3 activation remains indefinite. This review highlights recent advances and gaps in our insights into the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Furthermore, we present several emerging pharmacological approaches of clinical translational potential targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome in neurological diseases. More importantly, despite small-molecule inhibitors of the NLRP3 inflammasome, we have focused explicitly on Chinese herbal medicine and botanical ingredients, which may be splendid therapeutics by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome for central nervous system disorders. We expect that we can contribute new perspectives to the treatment of neurological diseases.

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The NLRP3 Inflammasome as a Possible Treatment Target in Brain Diseases

Abstract

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