scholarly journals Anthocyanins and Their Metabolites as Therapeutic Agents for Neurodegenerative Disease

Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee N. Winter ◽  
Paula C. Bickford

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are characterized by the death of neurons within specific regions of the brain or spinal cord. While the etiology of many neurodegenerative diseases remains elusive, several factors are thought to contribute to the neurodegenerative process, such as oxidative and nitrosative stress, excitotoxicity, endoplasmic reticulum stress, protein aggregation, and neuroinflammation. These processes culminate in the death of vulnerable neuronal populations, which manifests symptomatically as cognitive and/or motor impairments. Until recently, most treatments for these disorders have targeted single aspects of disease pathology; however, this strategy has proved largely ineffective, and focus has now turned towards therapeutics which target multiple aspects underlying neurodegeneration. Anthocyanins are unique flavonoid compounds that have been shown to modulate several of the factors contributing to neuronal death, and interest in their use as therapeutics for neurodegeneration has grown in recent years. Additionally, due to observations that the bioavailability of anthocyanins is low relative to that of their metabolites, it has been proposed that anthocyanin metabolites may play a significant part in mediating the beneficial effects of an anthocyanin-rich diet. Thus, in this review, we will explore the evidence evaluating the neuroprotective and therapeutic potential of anthocyanins and their common metabolites for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1203
Author(s):  
Monika Szeliga

Substantial evidence indicates that oxidative/nitrosative stress contributes to the neurodegenerative diseases. Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are one of the enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms neutralizing reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. Since mammalian PRDXs were identified 30 years ago, their significance was long overshadowed by the other well-studied ROS/RNS defense systems. An increasing number of studies suggests that these enzymes may be involved in the neurodegenerative process. This article reviews the current knowledge on the expression and putative roles of PRDXs in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington’s disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 1251-1262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Octavio Binvignat ◽  
Jordi Olloquequi

: The global burden of neurodegenerative diseases is alarmingly increasing in parallel to the aging of population. Although the molecular mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration are not completely understood, excitotoxicity, defined as the injury and death of neurons due to excessive or prolonged exposure to excitatory amino acids, has been shown to play a pivotal role. The increased release and/or decreased uptake of glutamate results in dysregulation of neuronal calcium homeostasis, leading to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunctions, disturbances in protein turn-over and neuroinflammation. : Despite the anti-excitotoxic drug memantine has shown modest beneficial effects in some patients with dementia, to date, there is no effective treatment capable of halting or curing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson disease, Huntington’s disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This has led to a growing body of research focusing on understanding the mechanisms associated with the excitotoxic insult and on uncovering potential therapeutic strategies targeting these mechanisms. : In the present review, we examine the molecular mechanisms related to excitotoxic cell death. Moreover, we provide a comprehensive and updated state of the art of preclinical and clinical investigations targeting excitotoxic- related mechanisms in order to provide an effective treatment against neurodegeneration.


2009 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 607-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graciela Cristina dos Santos ◽  
Lusânia Maria Greggi Antunes ◽  
Antonio Cardozo dos Santos ◽  
Maria de Lourdes Pires Bianchi

According to clinical and pre-clinical studies, oxidative stress and its consequences may be the cause or, at least, a contributing factor, to a large number of neurodegenerative diseases. These diseases include common and debilitating disorders, characterized by progressive and irreversible loss of neurons in specific regions of the brain. The most common neurodegenerative diseases are Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been extensively studied since its discovery in 1957. It is a component of the electron transportation chain and participates in aerobic cellular respiration, generating energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The property of CoQ10 to act as an antioxidant or a pro-oxidant, suggests that it also plays an important role in the modulation of redox cellular status under physiological and pathological conditions, also performing a role in the ageing process. In several animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, CoQ10 has shown beneficial effects in reducing disease progression. However, further studies are needed to assess the outcome and effectiveness of CoQ10 before exposing patients to unnecessary health risks at significant costs.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mhoriam Ahmed ◽  
Charlotte Spicer ◽  
Jasmine Harley ◽  
Nikolaj Petersen ◽  
Paul Taylor ◽  
...  

Abstract Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are now widely considered to be part of a disease spectrum with the identification of common pathological features and genetic causes. However, despite these advances, there remains no effective therapy for these conditions. In this study we demonstrate that mice expressing mutant valosin containing protein (VCP) develop an ALS/FTD-like phenotype in the spinal cord and brain, and treatment with arimoclomol, a pharmacological amplifier of the cytoprotective heat shock response ameliorates this phenotype. Moreover, the beneficial effects of arimoclomol are seen in both fibroblasts and iPSC-derived motor neurons from patients. Importantly, we show the pathological changes targeted by arimoclomol in our experimental models are present in post-mortem FTD patient tissue. Together with previous data demonstrating the efficacy of arimoclomol in SOD1-ALS models, our findings suggest that arimoclomol may have therapeutic potential not only in non-SOD1 ALS but also for the treatment of FTD.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1328
Author(s):  
Valentina Novak ◽  
Boris Rogelj ◽  
Vera Župunski

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are severe neurodegenerative disorders that belong to a common disease spectrum. The molecular and cellular aetiology of the spectrum is a highly complex encompassing dysfunction in many processes, including mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. There is a paucity of treatment options aside from therapies with subtle effects on the post diagnostic lifespan and symptom management. This presents great interest and necessity for the discovery and development of new compounds and therapies with beneficial effects on the disease. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites found in plant-based foods and are well known for their antioxidant activity. Recent research suggests that they also have a diverse array of neuroprotective functions that could lead to better treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. We present an overview of the effects of various polyphenols in cell line and animal models of ALS/FTD. Furthermore, possible mechanisms behind actions of the most researched compounds (resveratrol, curcumin and green tea catechins) are discussed.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Coppedè

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington’s disease (HD) represent four of the major neurodegenerative diseases. AD, PD and ALS are complex disorders including both Mendelian and sporadic forms. Studies on families with these diseases led to the identification of several genes and pathways responsible for the familial forms. Those studies have been paralleled by hundreds of genetic association studies, including genome-wide screenings, in order to identify genes likely contributing to the sporadic forms. HD is a monogenic disorder caused by a trinucleotide repeat expansion in the causative gene. Increasing evidence points to an epigenetic contribution to neurodegeneration, suggesting that DNA methylation, histone tail modifications and RNA mediated mechanisms might contribute to the onset and progression of all the above diseases. In addition, epigenetic drugs are promising for the restoration of memory and motor impairments in animal models of the diseases. The aim of this review article is to provide an updated overview of the genetics and epigenetics of these major neurodegenerative disorders.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Cai ◽  
Yu Young Jeong

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a central aspect of aging and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease. Mitochondria are the main cellular energy powerhouses, supplying most of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation, which is required to fuel essential neuronal functions. Efficient removal of aged and dysfunctional mitochondria through mitophagy, a cargo-selective autophagy, is crucial for mitochondrial maintenance and neuronal health. Mechanistic studies into mitophagy have highlighted an integrated and elaborate cellular network that can regulate mitochondrial turnover. In this review, we provide an updated overview of the recent discoveries and advancements on the mitophagy pathways and discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying mitophagy defects in Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the therapeutic potential of mitophagy-enhancing strategies to combat these disorders.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoung Sang Cho ◽  
Myeongcheol Shin ◽  
Sunhong Kim ◽  
Sung Bae Lee

Carotenoids, symmetrical tetraterpenes with a linear C40 hydrocarbon backbone, are natural pigment molecules produced by plants, algae, and fungi. Carotenoids have important functions in the organisms (including animals) that obtain them from food. Due to their characteristic structure, carotenoids have bioactive properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and autophagy-modulatory activities. Given the protective function of carotenoids, their levels in the human body have been significantly associated with the treatment and prevention of various diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. In this paper, we review the latest studies on the effects of carotenoids on neurodegenerative diseases in humans. Furthermore, animal and cellular model studies on the beneficial effects of carotenoids on neurodegeneration are also reviewed. Finally, we discuss the possible mechanisms and limitations of carotenoids in the treatment and prevention of neurological diseases.


Author(s):  
Alejandro Collin ◽  
Romina Kohan ◽  
Nori Tolosa de Talamoni ◽  
Gabriela Picotto

Background: Colon cancer is one of the most important causes of death in the entire world. New pharmacological strategies are always needed, especially in resistant variants of this pathology. We have previously reported that drugs such as menadione (MEN), D, L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine or calcitriol, used in combination, enhanced cell sensibility of breast and colon tumour models, due to their ability to modify the oxidative status of the cells. Melatonin (MEL), a hormone regulating circadian rhythms, has anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic properties at low concentrations, while at high doses, it has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the antitumoral action of the combination MEN and MEL on colon cancer cells. Methods: Caco-2 cells were employed to evaluate the effects of both compounds, used alone or combined, on cellular growth/morphology, oxidative and nitrosative stress, and cell migration. Results: MEN plus MEL dramatically reduced cell proliferation in a time and dose-dependent manner. The antiproliferative effects began at 48 h. At the same time, the combination modified the content of superoxide anion, induced the formation of reactive nitrogen species and enhanced catalase activity. Cell migration process was delayed. Also, changes in nuclear morphology consistent with cell death were observed. Conclusion: The enhanced effect of simultaneous use of MEN and MEL on Caco-2 cells suggests that this combined action may have therapeutic potential as an adjuvant on intestinal cancer acting in different oncogenic pathways.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Robinson Singleton ◽  
Stormy Foster-Palmer ◽  
Robin L. Marcus

Background: Peripheral neuropathy is among the most common complications of diabetes, but a phenotypically identical distal sensory predominant, painful axonopathy afflicts patients with prediabetic metabolic syndrome, exemplifying a spectrum of risk and continuity of pathogenesis. No pharmacological treatment convincingly improves neuropathy in the setting of metabolic syndrome, but evolving data suggests that exercise may be a promising alternative. Objective: To review in depth current literature regarding exercise treatment of metabolic syndrome neuropathy in humans and animal models, highlight the diverse mechanisms by which exercise exerts beneficial effects, and examine adherence limitations, safety aspects, modes and dose of exercise. Results: Rodent models that recapitulate the organismal milieu of prediabetic metabolic syndrome and the phenotype of its neuropathy provide a strong platform to dissect exercise effects on neuropathy pathogenesis. In these models, exercise reverses hyperglycemia and consequent oxidative and nitrosative stress, improves microvascular vasoreactivity, enhances axonal transport, ameliorates the lipotoxicity and inflammatory effects of hyperlipidemia and obesity, supports neuronal survival and regeneration following injury, and enhances mitochondrial bioenergetics at the distal axon. Prospective human studies are limited in scale, but suggest exercise improves cutaneous nerve regenerative capacity, neuropathic pain, and task-specific functional performance measures of gait and balance. Like other heath behavioral interventions, benefits of exercise are limited by patient adherence. Conclusion: Exercise is integrative therapy that potently reduces cellular inflammatory state and improves distal axonal oxidative metabolism to ameliorate features of neuropathy in metabolic syndrome. Intensity of exercise need not improve cardinal features of metabolic syndrome [e.g. weight, glucose control] to exert beneficial effects.


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