This technology provides pharmaceutical compositions for the prevention and treatment of degenerative brain diseases, as well as health functional food compositions for prevention and improvement, containing a bis-isoxazole compound represented by Formula 1 or its salts as an active ingredient. This compound protects impaired neurons by activating mitochondria in neurons, neuroglia, and microglia.
Parkinson's disease is characterized by the loss of dopamine neurons in the midbrain, leading to motor impairments such as muscle stiffness and tremors. While oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and chronic neuroinflammation are cited as causes, the exact pathogenesis remains unknown. Existing treatments focus on replenishing dopamine precursors or inhibiting dopamine-degrading enzymes to increase dopamine levels; however, these are limited by side effects such as movement dysregulation, sweating, metabolic issues, and mood swings when dopamine levels become excessive.
Instead of directly regulating dopamine levels, this technology works by boosting mitochondrial activity in neurons, repairing damaged mitochondria, and inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38—a stress signaling protein—to protect neurons. The active ingredient can be used in various salt forms, including hydrochloride, sulfate, methanesulfonate, and sodium salts. It can be applied to treatments for mitochondrial dysfunction-related Parkinson's, drugs to slow Alzheimer's progression, and health supplements for brain health in middle-aged and older adults, allowing for the direct targeting of impaired neuronal energy metabolism—a root cause of these diseases—while avoiding the motor and emotional side effects associated with dopamine excess.
This invention was developed with support from the Meta-Receptome Control Research Center, funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT.
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