Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a global burden in the economics of healthcare systems. Amyloid-beta (A beta) peptides are formed by amyloid-beta precursor protein (A beta PP) cleavage, which can be processed by two pathways. The cleavage by the alpha-secretase A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10) releases the soluble portion (sA beta PP alpha) and prevents senile plaques. This pathway remains largely unknown and ignored, mainly regarding pharmacological approaches that may act via different signaling cascades and thus stimulate non-amyloidogenic cleavage through ADAM10. This review emphasizes the effects of natural compounds on ADAM10 modulation, which eventuates in a neuroprotective mechanism. Moreover, ADAM10 as an AD biomarker is revised. New treatments and preventive interventions targeting ADAM10 regulation for AD are necessary, considering the wide variety of ADAM10 substrates.