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As a natural polyphenol compound, curcumin has shown significant potential in the field of neuroprotection. Its effects involve multiple dimensions such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, regulation of neuronal survival and improvement of neural plasticity. It has attracted particular attention in the prevention and intervention of neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease).

1. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatories: the core mechanisms for alleviating nerve damage.(1) Antioxidant: It directly scavenges ROS (such as superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals) while simultaneously upregulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the brain (such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), 

enhancing the antioxidant defenses of neural tissue and reducing oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage.

(2) nti-inflammatory: It inhibits the overactivation of microglia (immune cells of the central nervous system), reduces the release of proinflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and inflammatory mediators (such as prostaglandin E2), 

and blocks inflammatory signaling pathways such as NF-κB and MAPK, thereby alleviating neuroinflammation-induced neuronal damage.

2. Promote neuroplasticity and neurogenesis.

Curcumin can upregulate the expression of neurotrophic factors in the brain (such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)). BDNF can promote the growth, differentiation and survival of neurons, enhance synaptic plasticity (such as increased synaptic density and improved synaptic transmission efficiency), and thus improve learning and memory functions.

3. Inhibit pathological protein aggregation associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Curcumin can inhibit the misfolding and aggregation of α-synuclein and reduce the formation of Lewy bodies (a typical pathological sign of PD); at the same time, it can protect dopaminergic neurons (a type of neuron that is vulnerable to damage in PD), reduce their apoptosis caused by oxidative stress and inflammation, and maintain normal dopamine secretion.

4. Regulate mitochondrial function and energy metabolism.

Curcumin can protect the structural integrity of mitochondria, improve the function of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and increase the efficiency of ATP (cellular energy currency) generation; at the same time, it can reduce the production of mitochondrial-derived ROS and inhibit the neuronal apoptosis pathway caused by mitochondrial damage (such as cytochrome c release and caspases activation), thereby maintaining the energy supply and survival of neurons.