Disclosed herein are methods and compositions comprising compounds capable of activating and increasing protein SUMOylation. Disclosed herein are methods and compositions comprising compounds capable of showing neuroprotective and cytoprotective effects when administered to injured cells. Also disclosed are methods comprising these compounds for treating neuronal or neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, fronto-temporal dementia, chronic traumatic encepholopathy, traumatic brain injury, or stroke.