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Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the most common neurodegenerative diseases, and they affect millions of people worldwide, particularly older individuals. Therefore, there is a clear need to develop novel drug targets for the treatment of age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation play central roles in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondria are key regulators of respiratory function, cellular energy adenosine triphosphate production, and the maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis, which are essential for cell survival. Mitochondrial morphology and function are tightly regulated by maintaining a balance among mitochondrial fission, fusion, biogenesis, and mitophagy. In this review, we provide an overview of the main functions of mitochondria, with a focus on recent progress highlighting the critical role of ROS−induced oxidative stress, dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics, mitochondrial apoptosis, mitochondria-associated inflammation, and impaired mitochondrial function in the pathogenesis of age-related neurodegenerative diseases, such as AD and PD. We also discuss the potential of mitochondrial fusion and biogenesis enhancers, mitochondrial fission inhibitors, and mitochondria-targeted antioxidants as novel drugs for the treatment of these diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cinnamomum cassia and Astragalus membranaceus have been used as traditional medicines as well as functional foods worldwide, but its hair growth properties have been verified yet. This study was designed that possible molecular mechanism of YH complex consisting of C. cassia and A. membranaceus on androgenetic alopecia (AGA) was predicted and investigated in mice. Target genes of C. cassia and A. membranaceus constructed the YH complex network. AGA mice were induced by injection of testosterone and 100 and 150 mg/kg of YH complex were orally administered. From result of network analysis, the possible underlying mechanism of YH complex was closely related with the "regulation of hair cycle" and "apoptosis signaling pathway." In depilated AGA mice, YH complex markedly promoted hair regrowth. Histological recovery on size and shape of hair follicles was appeared by YH complex administration. The expressions of 5α‐reductase and TGF‐β were significantly decreased in dorsal skin tissues of YH complex‐treated mice. Antiapoptotic Bcl‐2/Bax ratio was upregulated, while caspase activation was downregulated by treatment with YH complex. In summary, YH complex regulated hair development cycle by inhibiting the androgenic‐apoptotic axis in AGA. YH complex would be a potent therapeutic agent for alopecia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]