Recent Advances on the Neuroprotective Potential of Antioxidants in Experimental Models of Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative movement disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) is characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta region of the midbrain. Although the etiology of PD is not completely understood and is believed to be multifactorial, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are widely considered major consequences, which provide important clues to the disease mechanisms. Studies have explored the role of free radicals and oxidative stress that contributes to the cascade of events leading to dopamine cell degeneration in PD. In general, in-built protective mechanisms consisting of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in the CNS play decisive roles in preventing neuronal cell loss due to free radicals. But the ability to produce these antioxidants decreases with aging. Therefore, antioxidant therapy alone or in combination with current treatment methods may represent an attractive strategy for treating or preventing the neurodegeneration seen in PD. Here we summarize the recent discoveries of potential antioxidant compounds for modulating free radical mediated oxidative stress leading to neurotoxicity in PD.

Nanomicellar formulation of coenzyme Q10 (Ubisol-Q10) effectively blocks ongoing neurodegeneration in the mouse 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine model: potential use as an adjuvant treatment in Parkinson's disease

“…for midbrain dopaminergic neurons and other neuronal and nonneuronal cell populations (Dumont and Beal, 2011;Ebadi et al, 1996;Fariss and Zhang, 2003;Koppula et al, 2012aKoppula et al, , 2012bMayo et al, 2005;Sharma and Nehru, 2013). However, the results of human clinical trials are inconsistent in slowing down disease progression, but there is still hope that improved antioxidant mimetics that better target ROS production pathways might prove beneficial.…”

“…All this leads to the conclusions that the excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) burden, some of it generated by dysfunctional mitochondria, and the inability of dopamine (DA) neurons to neutralize them are at the center of PD pathophysiology. Accordingly, it is envisioned that compounds capable of reducing the levels of free radicals in the central nervous system (CNS) might be able to interfere with the progression of neurodegeneration and serve as a therapeutic strategy for PD (Koppula et al, 2012a). However, numerous antioxidant compounds, some directly targeting mitochondria, have been investigated, but none of them have been used yet as the effective disease therapy (Hart et al, 2009;Lew, 2011).…”

Anti-Psychotic Activity of Pyrus Communis Juice

“…PCJ contains, Quercetin, a major flavonoid, possessing antitumor, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant effects. Quercetin was found to be neuroprotective not only in a zebrafish model but also was beneficial in reducing ischemia related brain swelling and brain injury [19].…”

The Potential Targets of Chinese Medicines in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease: Old Wine in New Bottles

“…Free radicals and oxidative stress contribute to the cascade of events leading to dopamine cell degeneration in PD. Antioxidant therapy may represent an attractive strategy for treating or preventing the neurodegeneration [15,16].…”