Flavonoids and Astrocytes Crosstalking: Implications for Brain Development and Pathology

Abstract

Flavonoids are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds that are present in a variety of fruits, vegetables, cereals, tea, and wine, and are the most abundant antioxidants in the human diet. Evidence suggests that these phytochemicals might have an impact on brain pathology and aging; however, neither their mechanisms of action nor their cell targets are completely known. In the mature mammalian brain, astroglia constitute nearly half of the total cells, providing structural, metabolic, and trophic support for neurons. During the past few years, increasing knowledge of these cells has indicated that astrocytes are pivotal characters in neurodegenerative diseases and brain injury. Most of the physiological benefits of flavonoids are generally thought to be due to their antioxidant and free-radical scavenging effects; however, emerging evidence has supported the hypothesis that their mechanism of action might go beyond these properties. In this review, we focus on astrocytes as targets for flavonoids and their implications in brain development, neuroprotection, and glial tumor formation. Finally, we will briefly discuss the emerging view of astrocytes as essential characters in neurodegenerative diseases, and how a better understanding of the action of flavonoids might open new avenues to develop therapeutic approaches to these pathologies.

The Stance of Antioxidants in Brain Tumors

“…The effects of flavonoids being natural polyphenolic antioxidant compounds in brain development, neuroprotection and glial tumor formation are mentioned and developing new therapeutic approaches was discussed (Nones et al;. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from green tea, curcumin from turmeric, and resveratrol from grapes are some examples of polyphenols.…”

The Impact of Redox Balance in Brain Tumors

“…Recent interest has been focused on dietary phenolic antioxidants, such as carotenoids, cinnamic acids and flavonoids, as potentially useful agents (Fresco et al, 2006;Uttara et al, 2009). In a study, the effects of flavonoids which are natural polyphenolic antioxidant compounds in brain development, neuroprotection and glial tumor formation are discussed and suggested to develop new therapeutic approaches (Nones et al;. Curcumin as a polyphenol gets attention in blocking brain tumor formation in a study.…”

Quercetin and Rutin Affect the Survival and Proliferation of Human Skin-Derived Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

“…Flavonoids are a class of phenolic compounds widely distributed in human diet with multiple health benefits [9][10][11][12]. The biological activities of flavonoids cover a very broad spectrum, due to their neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and chemopreventive effects [10,[13][14][15][16].…”

“…In vitro and animal studies have shown that flavonoids, including quercetin and rutin, are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents [10,11,14,17,18] and can relieve nuclear condensation, decrease oxidative stress, and strengthen the barrier integrity and functions, as well are involved in important pathways that regulate cell division and proliferation [10,[19][20][21]. On the other hand flavonoids can be harmful, exhibiting in vitro cytotoxicity to many human cell lines [14,22,23].…”

“…On the other hand flavonoids can be harmful, exhibiting in vitro cytotoxicity to many human cell lines [14,22,23].…”