title: The discovery and development of new potential antioxidant agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) including Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases have had associations with the oxidative process and free radical damage. Consequently, in past decades, several natural and synthetic antioxidants have been assessed as therapeutic agents but have shown limitations in bioavailability, metabolic susceptibility and permeability to the blood brain barrier. Given these issues, medicinal chemists are hard at work to modify/improve the chemical structures of these antioxidants, thereby improving their efficacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this review, the authors critically analyze several biological mechanisms involved in the generation of free radicals. Additionally, they analyze free radicals' role in the generation of oxidative stress and in the progression of many NDs. Further, the authors review a collection of natural and synthetic antioxidants, their role as free radical scavengers along with their mechanisms of action and their potential for preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  So far, preclinical studies on several antioxidants have shown promise for treating NDs, despite their limitations. The authors do highlight the lack of the adequate animal models for preclinical assessment and this does hinder further progression into clinical trials. Further studies are necessary to fully investigate the potential of these antioxidants as ND therapeutic options.
authors: Panjab University, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Chandigarh-160014 , India.
authors: Chhanda Charan
authors: CC
authors: Danta
authors: Poonam
authors: P
authors: Piplani
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods*; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals
keywords: antioxidants; free radicals; neurodegenerative diseases; oxidative stress