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.