Pistacia Genus as a Potential Source of Neuroprotective Natural Products

Abstract

Neuroprotective agents are able to defend the central nervous system against acute or chronic neuronal injuries. Even with the progress made over the last decades, most of the medications prescribed for the management of neurodegenerative diseases can only reduce their symptoms and slow down their progression. Based on natural product research, there are potential effective medicinal plants and phytochemicals for modulating neuronal functions and protecting against neurodegeneration. Plants in the genus Pistacia are also among valuable natural resources for neuroprotection research based on experiences in traditional medicine. Studies have supported the value of bioactive compounds of the genus Pistacia for central nervous system disorders such as Alzheimerʼs, Parkinsonʼs, multiple sclerosis, cerebral ischemia, depression, and anxiety. Related literature has also revealed that most of the evidence on neuroprotection in the genus Pistacia is in the form of preliminary studies, mainly including models of behavior, motor function, and memory impairments in animals, neural toxicity, cerebral ischemia and seizure models, evaluation of their effects on antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers, amyloid β aggregation, and acetylcholinesterase as well as investigations into some cellular pathways. Along with the phytonutrients in kernels such as pistachios, various phytochemicals, mostly terpenes, and phenolic compounds have also been identified in different plant parts, in particular their oleoresins, of species in the genus Pistacia. In this review, the pharmacology of neurological effects and related molecular mechanisms of the plants belonging to the genus Pistacia and its active constituents, as well as pharmacokinetics aspects, are discussed.

Valeriana officinalis Counteracts Rotenone Effects on Spreading Depression in the Rat Brain in vivo and Protects Against Rotenone Cytotoxicity Toward Rat Glioma C6 Cells in vitro

“…The use of rotenone in vitro and in vivo is a successful neurodegenerative model of Parkinson’s disease due to similarities between the neural rotenone effects and the symptoms of that neurological disorder ( Cabezas et al, 2019 ). Pretreatment with medicinal plants such as Pistacia atlantica have demonstrated to be neuroprotective against Parkinson’s disease-inducing neurotoxins, like 6-hydroxydopamine and rotenone ( Moeini et al, 2019 ). Therefore, the present study investigated the neuroprotective potential of V. officinalis .…”

Neuroprotective Natural Products for Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Plants in the genus Pistacia are probably among the most precious natural resources with neuroprotective potential based upon their traditional applications. Related literature has shown that the neuroprotective effects of the genus Pistacia mainly include antioxidant, anti-neuroinflammatory, anti-Aβ aggregation, AChE inhibitory activity, and regulation of some other cellular pathways [ 182 ]. The kernel extract of Pistacia vera could inhibit cisplatin or vincristine-induced cognitive and motor impairments in vivo, which might be related to its high flavonoid and phenolic content [ 183 ].…”

“…The aqueous methanolic extract of its hull could inhibit AChE in vitro [ 186 ]. The hexane extract of the pistachio nuts showed antioxidant activity in vitro [ 182 ]. The gum extract also exhibited antioxidant neuroprotective effects in rats [ 182 ].…”

“…Moreover, its dichloromethane extract oleoresin has also shown AChE inhibitory activity in vitro [ 189 ]. The methanolic extract could reduce Aβ-mediated cellular toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells [ 182 ]. The alcoholic extract from its leaves has also been shown to prevent oxidative damage-induced disorders, thanks to its substantial phenolic content, as well as significantly protect neuron cells against oxidative injury by Aβ 25–35 and H 2 O 2 .…”

Pharmacological Investigation of Genus Pistacia

“…The Pistacia genus is one of the best neuroprotective natural products [78]. The neuroprotective effect of P. vera gum in induced ischemia animal is worth mentioning [79].…”