Protective Mechanisms of Flavonoids in Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Parkinson's disease is a chronic, debilitating neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta region in human midbrain. To date, oxidative stress is the well accepted concept in the etiology and progression of Parkinson's disease. Hence, the therapeutic agent is targeted against suppressing and alleviating the oxidative stress-induced cellular damage. Within the past decades, an explosion of research discoveries has reported on the protective mechanisms of flavonoids, which are plant-based polyphenols, in the treatment of neurodegenerative disease using both in vitro and in vivo models. In this paper, we have reviewed the literature on the neuroprotective mechanisms of flavonoids in protecting the dopaminergic neurons hence reducing the symptoms of this movement disorder. The mechanism reviewed includes effect of flavonoids in activation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, suppressing the lipid peroxidation, inhibition of inflammatory mediators, flavonoids as a mitochondrial target therapy, and modulation of gene expression in neuronal cells.

Epalrestat improves motor symptoms by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the reserpine induced mouse model of Parkinson’s disease

“…Likewise, SOD and catalase activities were increased in the brains of Epalrestat treated mice compared with reserpine treated mice (Figure G,H). In line with others, we noticed that reserpine induced lipid peroxidation in the cortex (Figure I) was significantly reduced upon Eplarestat treatment. These findings suggest that the neuroprotective effect of Epalrestat is linked with its antioxidant activity.…”

“…Activated microglial cells are an important source of superoxide and NO, which in turn contribute to oxidative and nitrosative stress in the brain . ROS are also known to activate the nuclear factor‐kappa‐B (NF‐κB), which in turn activates various pro‐inflammatory genes …”

Chemistry and Pharmacology of Flavonoids- A Review

“…External stimuli also trigger proapoptotic caspases by activating MAPK-induced inflammatory medi-ators which cause cellular apoptosis. 96 Commencement of proinflammatory cytokine genes (iNOS, TNF-and IL-1 ) expressions induced by NF-B, is also caused by MAPK family. 96,97 Flavonoids for example emodin, 98 kaempferol, 99 genistein 100 and morin 101 have been proved to suppress secretion of TNF-.…”

Organic honey supplementation reverses pesticide‐induced genotoxicity by modulating DNA damage response

“…Human health is determined by various interacting factors, among which lifestyle, environment, and diet play an important synergistic role in the prevention of several diseases, including cancers. Human intervention trials have provided evidence for protective effects of various polyphenol‐rich foods against chronic disease, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and cancer . While there are considerable data suggesting the benefits of polyphenol rich‐diet, conclusions regarding their preventive potential remain unresolved due to several limitations in existing studies.…”