Recommendations for Development of Botanical Polyphenols as “Natural Drugs” for Promotion of Resilience Against Stress-Induced Depression and Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Extensive evidence has demonstrated that psychological stress has detrimental effects on psychological health, cognitive function, and ultimately well-being. While stressful events are a significant cause of psychopathology, most individuals exposed to adversity maintain normal psychological functioning. The mechanisms underlying such resilience are poorly understood, and there is an urgent need to identify and target these mechanisms to promote resilience under stressful events. Botanicals have been used throughout history to treat various medical conditions; however, the development of botanical compounds into potential preventative and therapeutic agents in studies promoting brain health is hindered by the fact that most orally consumed botanicals are extensively metabolized during absorption and/or by post-absorptive xenobiotic metabolism. Therefore, the primary objective of this review article is to provide recommendations for developing natural compounds as novel therapeutic strategies to promote resilience in susceptible subjects. The development of botanical polyphenols to ultimately attenuate mood disorders and cognitive impairment will rely on understanding (1) the absorption and bioavailability of botanical polyphenols with emphasis on flavan-3-ols, (2) the characterization of tissue specific accumulation of biologically available polyphenols and their mechanisms of action in the brain, and eventually (3) the characterization of biologically available polyphenol metabolites in mechanisms associated with the promotion of resilience against mood disorders and cognitive impairment in response to stress. We also summarize exciting new lines of investigation about the role of botanicals such as polyphenols in the promotion of cognitive and psychological resilience. This information will provide a strategical framework for the future development of botanicals as therapeutic agents to promote resilience, ultimately preventing and/or therapeutically treating cognitive impairment and psychological dysfunction.

Diet, nutrition and the ageing brain: current evidence and new directions

“…Polyphenols. The role of these phytochemicals in brain health and ageing is an emerging area (62)(63)(64) . Large prospective studies have identified associations between the dietary intakes of total or specific polyphenols and cognitive function after up to 13 years of follow-up investigation (65)(66)(67) .…”

Pengaruh Pemberian Coklat (Theobroma cacao) terhadap Kualitas Spermatozoa Tikus Wistar (Rattus norvegicus) yang Terpapar Stres

“…Komponen (-)epicatehin merupakan keunggulan coklat karena perannya dalam menetralisir ROS, memblokir produksi ROS, dan menginhibisi aktivitas enzim DNA methyltransferase. 4 Stres merupakan respon otak dan tubuh terhadap tuntutan sehari-hari, seperti sekolah, pekerjaan, kejadiankejadian traumatik, dan lain-lain. 5 Paparan kronik dari stres dapat melemahkan sistem imun dan meningkatkan risiko serangan penyakit infeksi dan memperlambat masa penyembuhan penyakit.…”

Current evidence linking nutrition with brain health in ageing

“…Although positive effects of cocoa polyphenols on mood were reported in one small study of 87 middle‐aged participants (Pase et al . ), the evidence from human studies is generally scarce and expert groups have called for further co‐ordinated research in this area (Ward & Pasinetti ).…”

“…In the case of depression, animal studies have shown anti-depressant effects of numerous polyphenols, postulated to be related to their anti-inflammatory and neurotransmitter modulation roles (Pathak et al 2013). Although positive effects of cocoa polyphenols on mood were reported in one small study of 87 middle-aged participants (Pase et al 2013), the evidence from human studies is generally scarce and expert groups have called for further coordinated research in this area (Ward & Pasinetti 2016).…”