Nutraceutical Interventions in Parkinson’s Disease: Mechanisms, Evidence, and Therapeutic Potential
摘要
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a long-term, progressive neurodegenerative disease that primarily impacts the motor system due to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain. While conventional pharmacological therapies like dopamine replacement provide symptomatic relief, they do not halt or reverse neuronal degeneration. As a result, there is growing interest in complementary approaches, particularly the use of nutraceuticals, for their potential neuroprotective effects. This review aims to explore the role of nutraceuticals in the prevention and management of PD by examining their mechanisms of action and summarizing recent findings from preclinical and clinical studies.
Recent FindingsNutraceuticals are naturally occurring compounds derived from dietary sources that offer health or therapeutic benefits, including disease prevention and management. In the context of PD, several nutraceuticals such as polyphenols (e.g., curcumin, resveratrol), vitamins D and E, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, and coenzyme Q10 have been studied for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mitochondrial-supportive properties. These mechanisms are particularly relevant given that PD pathogenesis involves oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. Some nutraceuticals also enhance neuroplasticity and reduce alpha-synuclein aggregation, a hallmark of PD pathology. The combination of nutrigenomics and precision nutrition is becoming increasingly popular to deal with the personal genetic predispositions that determine the reaction to nutrients, metabolic processes, and susceptibility to neuroinflammation in PD. Nutrigenomic techniques that use genotype-nutrient interaction profiling, transcriptomic biomarkers, and gut-brain axis modulations can be viewed as the future of going beyond generalized supplementation and towards individual neuro-nutraceutical therapy. Nevertheless, massive longitudinal studies, standardised dosing regimens, and multi-omics confirmation are essential to bridge the current gap of efficacy in the lab and clinical translation in PD.
SummaryNutraceuticals show promising potential as adjunctive therapies for PD. Their ability to address multiple pathological mechanisms simultaneously makes them valuable candidates for improving long-term outcomes. However, while current findings are encouraging, more rigorous clinical trials are essential to confirm their efficacy, determine optimal dosages, and assess long-term safety profiles. A multidisciplinary approach that combines standard pharmacological treatment with nutraceutical supplementation, lifestyle adjustments, and dietary modifications may provide a holistic strategy for managing PD.