Flavonoids as a Natural Enhancer of Neuroplasticity—An Overview of the Mechanism of Neurorestorative Action

Abstract

Neuroplasticity is a complex physiological process occurring in the brain for its entire life. However, it is of particular importance in the case of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Neurological recovery largely depends on the ability to reestablish the structural and functional organization of neurovascular networks, which must be pharmacologically supported. For this reason, new forms of therapy are constantly being sought. Including adjuvant therapies in standard treatment may support the enhancement of repair processes and restore impaired brain functions. The common hallmark of nerve tissue damage is increased by oxidative stress and inflammation. Thus, the studies on flavonoids with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as a potential application in neuro intervention have been carried out for a long time. However, recent results have revealed another important property of these compounds in CNS therapy. Flavonoids possess neuroprotective activity, and promote synaptogenesis and neurogenesis, by, among other means, inhibiting oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. This paper presents an overview of the latest knowledge on the impact of flavonoids on the plasticity processes of the brain, taking into account the molecular basis of their activity.

Phytochemical Analysis, In Vitro Anticholinesterase, Antioxidant Activity and In Vivo Nootropic Effect of Ferula ammoniacum (Dorema ammoniacum) D. Don. in Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment in Mice

“…Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds found in fruits and vegetables, and are highly effective scavengers of most oxidizing molecules, including singlet oxygen, and various free radicals implicated in several diseases including AD. Flavonoids can provide protection to the brain cells by modulating intracellular signals and promoting cellular survival [ 41 ]. In the current study highest contents of total phenolic (88.23 ± 1.13) and flavonoids (85.93 ± 0.67) were detected in Fa.EtAc followed by Fa.Chf extract (TPC: 75.12 ± 1.58 and TFC: 77.83 ± 2.16).…”

Does Flavonoid Consumption Improve Exercise Performance? Is It Related to Changes in the Immune System and Inflammatory Biomarkers? A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies since 2005

“…Related to these or other properties, flavonoid intakes have been associated with numerous health-promoting physiological benefits for cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurological disorders, aging, obesity, etc. [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. For this reason, a wide range of human intervention studies has been developed, and the results offer promising applications in the prevention of several disorders.…”

The Role of Supplementation with Natural Compounds in Post-Stroke Patients

“…The most numerous group of polyphenols are flavonoids, which include flavanones, flavanols, flavones, isoflavones, flavonols, and anthocyanins, as well as biflavonoids, flavonolignans, prenylflavonoids, flavonoid glycosides, chalcones and proanthocyanins [ 47 ]. Several observational studies have shown that flavonoid-rich food consumption has a positive effect on improving cognitive function, regardless of age and medical history [ 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ].…”

“…The antioxidant effect of flavonoids is based on scavenging free radicals, chelating metals, and silencing pro-oxidative enzymes (xanthine oxidase, protein kinase C—PKC, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, COX and lipoxygenase) [ 12 ]. The molecular neuroprotective mechanism of these compounds is often associated with the activation of the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor (TrkB)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) and/or ERK 1/2 pathways, therefore even small doses of these compounds can cause a synergistic effect [ 47 ]. One of the most abundant naturally occurring flavonoids is quercetin, contained, among others, in cabbage, spinach, blackcurrant, blueberry, thus in plants particularly recommended in the MIND diet, but it is also the active ingredient of many supplements.…”

“…Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol found in over 70 species of plants, including grapes, cranberries, blueberries, and peanuts, but also found in many pharmaceutical formulations. It has been shown, that resveratrol has strong anti-aging, -inflammatory, -apoptotic, -oxidative, -cancerous, -diabetic, hepato- and cardioprotective properties [ 47 ]. The antioxidant activity of resveratrol is related to the inhibition of 15-LO and 5-LO in neutrophils, reduction amassment of hydroperoxides in LDL and the decreased in the oxoferryl complex to metmyoglobin, and prevention of LDL modifications promoted by peroxynitrite [ 12 ].…”