Aminocyclodextrin Oligomers as Protective Agents of Protein Aggregation

Over 30 different amyloid proteins and a number of corresponding protein-misfolding diseases have been identified. Among these is Alzheimer's disease, the most common neurodegenerative disorder. The treatment of these diseases is still a goal to reach and many molecules have been studied in this context. Among these, the cyclodextrins have shown interesting potential as agents against protein aggregation (antiaggregants). On the basis of this interest, we investigated the effect on protein aggregation of some oligomers of ?-cyclodextrins. In particular, it was found that amino oligomers show good inhibition of ?-amyloid aggregation in the micromolar concentration range. The presence of both a multicavity system and amino groups seems to be essential for preventing protein aggregation.