Polyphenols: Natural food grade biomolecules for treating neurodegenerative diseases from a multi-target perspective

Abstract

As natural functional bioactive ingredients found in foods and plants, polyphenols play various antioxidant and anti-inflammatory roles to prevent the development of disease and restore human health. The multi-target modulation of polyphenols provides a novel practical therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases that are difficult to treat with traditional drugs like glutathione and cholinesterase inhibitors. This review mainly focuses on the efficacy of polyphenols on ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, including in vivo and in vitro experimental studies. It is further emphasized that polyphenols exert neuroprotective effects primarily through inhibiting production of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines, which may be the underlying mechanism. However, polyphenols are still rarely used as medicines to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Due to the lack of clinical trials, the mechanism of polyphenols is still in the stage of insufficient exploration. Future large-scale multi-center randomized controlled trials and in-depth mechanism studies are still needed to fully assess the safety, efficacy and side effects of polyphenols.

Deciphering the intricate linkage between the gut microbiota and Alzheimer's disease: Elucidating mechanistic pathways promising therapeutic strategies

“…Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulations have shown advantages over other pharmacological agents, such as their complex composition, multiple target modulation, low side effects and high biocompatibility 131 . TCM interventions can regulate the intestinal microbiota composition and improve the gut microecology, which may benefit the CNS disorders and enhance therapeutic outcomes 132 . Patchouli alcohol (PA), a compound derived from the common traditional Chinese herb Pogostemonis Herba , stands as a principal bioactive constituent.…”

“… 131 TCM interventions can regulate the intestinal microbiota composition and improve the gut microecology, which may benefit the CNS disorders and enhance therapeutic outcomes. 132 Patchouli alcohol (PA), a compound derived from the common traditional Chinese herb Pogostemonis Herba , stands as a principal bioactive constituent. Its application in murine models of AD ameliorates the ecological equilibrium of the intestinal milieu, concurrently repressing the activation of the C/EBPβ/AEP signaling pathway in the cerebral and colonic tissues.…”

The Intersection of cerebral cholesterol metabolism and Alzheimer's disease: Mechanisms and therapeutic prospects

“…In recent research, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations have demonstrated significant advantages compared to other drugs ( Table 3 ). These advantages include their complex compound composition, which, through the synergistic regulation of multiple targets, exhibits minimal adverse reactions and enhanced biocompatibility [ 178 , 179 ]. A plethora of research results have confirmed the efficacy of specific TCM monomers, extracts, TCM formulas, and TCM combinations in regulating cholesterol metabolism [ [180] , [181] , [182] , [183] , [184] , [185] , [186] , [187] ].…”

Influence of Alcohol on Intracerebral Hemorrhage: From Oxidative Stress to Glial Cell Activation

“…Furthermore, the research underscores the therapeutic potential of polyphenols in the context of ischemic stroke, suggesting that dietary interventions enriched with polyphenolic compounds could offer a complementary approach to traditional stroke treatments. By focusing on the neuroprotective effects of polyphenols, studies have highlighted their ability to not only reduce the extent of brain damage following ischemia but also to enhance the recovery processes, thereby improving functional outcomes [ 150 , 154 , 155 , 156 ]. Despite the promising data, the translation of these findings into clinical practice necessitates further investigation into the optimal delivery methods, dosages, and combinations of polyphenols that maximize their efficacy and bioavailability.…”