Research Progress on Idebenone in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding the therapeutic potential of idebenone (IDE), a synthetic analogue of Coenzyme Q10, in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). This review comprehensively examines the pharmacological properties of IDE and its emerging applications in various NDs, with particular emphasis on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Friedreich's ataxia, and Huntington's disease. We elucidate IDE's multifaceted neuroprotective mechanisms, including its potent antioxidant activity that reduces reactive oxygen species production, its ability to enhance mitochondrial bioenergetics, and its regulatory effects on cellular metabolism. Additionally, we critically evaluate current clinical research findings and discuss the translational potential of IDE in ND therapeutics. The accumulated evidence strongly supports IDE as a promising mitochondrial-targeted agent capable of mitigating disease symptoms and modifying disease progression in multiple neurodegenerative disorders. This review highlights both the current achievements and future directions for IDE-based interventions in ND treatment.