Nutraceuticals and their preventive or potential therapeutic value in Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common aging-related disorder in the world, after Alzheimer's disease. It is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and other parts of the brain, leading to motor impairment, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Current treatment methods, such as L-dopa therapy, are focused only on relieving symptoms and delaying progression of the disease. To date, there is no known cure for PD, making prevention of PD as important as ever. More than a decade of research has revealed a number of major risk factors, including oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, numerous nutraceuticals have been found to target and attenuate these risk factors, thereby preventing or delaying the progression of PD. These nutraceuticals include vitamins C, D, E, coenzyme Q10, creatine, unsaturated fatty acids, sulfur-containing compounds, polyphenols, stilbenes, and phytoestrogens. This review examines the role of nutraceuticals in the prevention or delay of PD as well as the mechanisms of action of nutraceuticals and their potential applications as therapeutic agents, either alone or in combination with current treatment methods.

Neuroprotective effects of anthocyanin- and proanthocyanidin-rich extracts in cellular models of Parkinson׳s disease

“…Although polyphenolic compounds are well known for their ROS scavenging ability, the fact that their peak concentrations in the brain are lower than endogenous glutathione levels has led to the suggestion that they may alleviate neurodegeneration via additional protective mechanisms (Del Rio et al, 2013; Milbury and Kalt, 2010; Williams et al, 2004). Consistent with this idea, polyphenols have been found to exhibit an array of neuroprotective activities independent of ROS scavenging (reviewed in (Chao et al, 2012; Ramassamy, 2006; Song et al, 2012)), including suppression of oxidative stress via effects on mitochondrial respiratory chain function (Morin et al, 2003; Zini et al, 2002) and alleviation of inflammatory responses associated with glial activation (Guo et al, 2007; Kao et al, 2009; Lau et al, 2007a). …”

“…Multiple lines of evidence suggest that diets rich in polyphenols may have neuroprotective effects that result in a lower risk of neurodegenerative disorders including PD (Albarracin et al, 2012; Chao et al, 2012; Lau et al, 2007b). A number of phytochemicals have exhibited neuroprotective effects in cellular and animal models of PD (Chao et al, 2012; Song et al, 2012), including curcumin (Zbarsky et al, 2005), green tea flavan-3-ols (Choi et al, 2002; Guo et al, 2007; Levites et al, 2001; Mercer et al, 2005), and stilbenes including resveratrol and oxyresveratrol (Blanchet et al, 2008; Chao et al, 2008; Khan et al, 2010).…”

“…A number of phytochemicals have exhibited neuroprotective effects in cellular and animal models of PD (Chao et al, 2012; Song et al, 2012), including curcumin (Zbarsky et al, 2005), green tea flavan-3-ols (Choi et al, 2002; Guo et al, 2007; Levites et al, 2001; Mercer et al, 2005), and stilbenes including resveratrol and oxyresveratrol (Blanchet et al, 2008; Chao et al, 2008; Khan et al, 2010). Although polyphenolic compounds are well known for their ROS scavenging ability, the fact that their peak concentrations in the brain are lower than endogenous glutathione levels has led to the suggestion that they may alleviate neurodegeneration via additional protective mechanisms (Del Rio et al, 2013; Milbury and Kalt, 2010; Williams et al, 2004).…”

PGC-1α/ERRα-Sirt3 Pathway Regulates DAergic Neuronal Death by Directly Deacetylating SOD2 and ATP Synthase β

“…Parkinson's disease (PD) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the selective and progressive loss of DAergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) (8). Mutated genes, including Parkin, LRRK2, PINK1, DJ-1, and α-Synuclein, have been identified in some cases of inherited PD (13,37).…”

Phytopharmacologic preparations as predictors of plant bioactivity: A particular approach to Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench antioxidant properties

“…In fact, brain cells are highly susceptible to oxidative damages, once cares an intense and continuous supplying of oxygen; furthermore, it has no effective detoxifying systems and antioxidant defenses, apart from its richness in vulnerable substances (i.e., polyunsaturated fatty acids, catecholamines, ions from the transition metals such as iron, etc.) [38,[41][42][43]. In this case, through TBARS assay, it was observed a high inhibition of lipid peroxidation; so, purple coneflower extracts and related commercial preparations revealed to be promissory antioxidant agents.…”