title: Protective effects of phytochemical antioxidants against neurotoxin-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons.
abstract: The specific toxicity to dopaminergic neurons of psychostimulants and neurotoxins has been extensively studied in vivo and in vitro, and findings have been used to establish animal models of amphetamine psychosis or Parkinson's disease. The multiple mechanisms of neurotoxicity operating in these disorders are known to involve oxidative stress or neuroinflammation, producing the characteristic behavioral and neuropathlogical changes arising from injured dopaminergic neurons and glial cells. A number of studies have shown that glia-targeting antioxidants play important roles in protecting against the neurotoxicity caused by psychostimulants or neurotoxins. Phytochemicals, which are non-nutritive plant chemicals, protect dopaminergic neurons and glial cells from damage caused by psychostimulants or neurotoxins. The objective of this review was to evaluate the involvement of glial cells in dopaminergic neuron-specific toxicity and to explore the neuroprotective activity of phytochemicals in terms of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Kyushu Nutrition Welfare University, School of Health Science, Japan.
authors.forename: Taizo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kita
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asanuma
authors.forename: Ikuko
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takeshima
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism; D059290:Dopaminergic Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D017628:Microglia / Q000473:pathology; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009498:Neurotoxins; D064209:Phytochemicals; D059808:Polyphenols; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D008694:Methamphetamine; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D004298:Dopamine