title: Bioactive compounds from macroalgae in the new millennium: implications for neurodegenerative diseases.
abstract: Marine environment has proven to be a rich source of structurally diverse and complex compounds exhibiting numerous interesting biological effects. Macroalgae are currently being explored as novel and sustainable sources of bioactive compounds for both pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Given the increasing prevalence of different forms of dementia, researchers have been focusing their attention on the discovery and development of new compounds from macroalgae for potential application in neuroprotection. Neuroprotection involves multiple and complex mechanisms, which are deeply related. Therefore, compounds exerting neuroprotective effects through different pathways could present viable approaches in the management of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. In fact, several studies had already provided promising insights into the neuroprotective effects of a series of compounds isolated from different macroalgae species. This review will focus on compounds from macroalgae that exhibit neuroprotective effects and their potential application to treat and/or prevent neurodegenerative diseases.
authors.affiliation: REQUIMTE/Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. mariana.nunes.barbosa@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: REQUIMTE/Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. valentao@ff.up.pt.
authors.forename: Patrícia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valentão
authors.affiliation: REQUIMTE/Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. pandrade@ff.up.pt.
authors.forename: Paula B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Andrade
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D012624:Seaweed / Q000737:chemistry*; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents