Effects of natural antioxidants in neurodegenerative disease.
Polyphenols are secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties and are abundant in the diet. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, and various drinks (tea, wine, and juices) are all sources of these molecules. Despite their abundance, investigations into the benefits of polyphenols in human  health have only recently begun. Phenolic compounds have received increasing interest because of numerous epidemiological studies. These studies have suggested associations between the consumption of polyphenol-rich aliments and the prevention of chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular  diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. More specifically, in the last 10 years literature on the neuroprotective effects of a polyphenol-rich diet has grown considerably. It has been demonstrated, in various cell culture and animal models, that these metabolites are able to protect neuronal  cells by attenuating oxidative stress and damage. However, it remains unclear as to how these compounds reach the brain, what concentrations are necessary, and what biologically active forms are needed to exert beneficial effects. Therefore, further research is needed to identify the molecular  pathways and intracellular targets responsible for polyphenol's neuroprotective effects. The aim of this paper is to present various well-known dietary polyphenols and their mechanisms of neuroprotection with an emphasis on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral  sclerosis.
Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.
Sonia Luz
SL
Albarracin
Ben
B
Stab
Zulma
Z
Casas
Jhon Jairo
JJ
Sutachan
Ismael
I
Samudio
Janneth
J
Gonzalez
Luis
L
Gonzalo
Francisco
F
Capani
Ludis
L
Morales
George E
GE
Barreto
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D059808:Polyphenols