Effects of natural antioxidants in neurodegenerative disease

Abstract

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties and are abundant in the diet. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, and various drinks (tea, wine, and juices) are all sources of these molecules. Despite their abundance, investigations into the benefits of polyphenols in human health have only recently begun. Phenolic compounds have received increasing interest because of numerous epidemiological studies. These studies have suggested associations between the consumption of polyphenol-rich aliments and the prevention of chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. More specifically, in the last 10 years literature on the neuroprotective effects of a polyphenol-rich diet has grown considerably. It has been demonstrated, in various cell culture and animal models, that these metabolites are able to protect neuronal cells by attenuating oxidative stress and damage. However, it remains unclear as to how these compounds reach the brain, what concentrations are necessary, and what biologically active forms are needed to exert beneficial effects. Therefore, further research is needed to identify the molecular pathways and intracellular targets responsible for polyphenol's neuroprotective effects. The aim of this paper is to present various well-known dietary polyphenols and their mechanisms of neuroprotection with an emphasis on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Evaluation of antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of extracts from fruits in fibroblastoma HT1080 cell lines: four fruits with commercial potential in Colombia

“…Antioxidant properties of polyphenols are subject of ongoing research against illness related to oxidative stress-induced cell damage such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer Disease, Parkinson Disease and others neurodegenerative diseases (Valko et al, 2007;Circu and Aw, 2010;Albarracin et al, 2012;Sutachan et al, 2012). Polyphenols are characterized by the presence of multiple phenolic hydroxyl groups attached to ring structures, which classify them into different groups such as flavonoids, lignans and stilbenes.…”

Antioxidant Activity of some Medicinal Plant Extracts: Implications for Neuroprotection

“…Thus, these results suggest that the metabolite(s) of plants are, potentially, better antioxidants than the non-metabolized phytochemicals. Anyway, accordingly to Albarracin et al 42 more studies are necessary to better understand the real significance of this to biological systems, given that there is little evidence that these compounds and/or the metabolites, can cross blood brain barrier to exert neuroprotective effect 42 . Despite of this, several reports showing the neuroprotective effect of natural compounds [37][38][39][40][41] .…”

Mysteries of the mighty microbiota

“…[12] Nonetheless, many have been praised for their neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. [13][14][15] These properties have been largely attributed to the ability of antioxidants to mop up free radicals which cause major damage to proteins and DNA. Radiotherapy generates copious amounts of hydroxyl free radicals through the action of radiation on water which makes up around 80% of human tissues.…”