The majority of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases, lead to gradual deterioration of neuronal structure and function, resulting in cognitive decline, motor dysfunction, and behavioral impairments. Despite substantial advances in understanding the molecular basis of neurodegeneration, no definitive cure or disease-modifying drug has yet been discovered. Most of these disorders share pathophysiological similarities such as oxidative stress, inflammation, protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, dysregulated proteostasis, and finally neurodegeneration. In this context, bioactive phytocompounds derived from medicinal plants have gained increasing attention due to their multitarget actions and diverse biological properties, notably antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Various classes of phytochemicals have demonstrated neuroprotective mechanisms. Polyphenols, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, exhibit strong antioxidant activity by scavenging reactive oxygen species and modulating signaling pathways. Alkaloids like berberine and stilbenes such as resveratrol reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, while resveratrol also activates SIRT1, promoting mitochondrial biogenesis. Terpenoids and saponins support neurogenesis, regulate apoptosis, and inhibit neuronal damage. The mechanistic pathways by which these compounds act include oxidative stress modulation, enhancing antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and catalase; anti-inflammatory effects, through inhibition of cytokines (e.g., IL-1β, TNF-α); microglial activation and apoptosis regulation, via mitochondrial stabilization and caspase inhibition; prevention of protein aggregation, including amyloid-beta clearance and tau protein stabilization; promotion of neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity, through upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); and enhancement of synaptogenesis. Notable examples include curcumin, which inhibits amyloid-beta aggregation; resveratrol, which improves mitochondrial function; and quercetin, which reduces oxidative stress and inflammation. Evidence from preclinical in vitro and animal studies consistently supports these neuroprotective actions, while limited human trials suggest cognitive and biochemical improvements. Overall, this chapter aims to highlight the possible mechanisms of phytocompounds in mitigating the complex pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders.

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Mechanistic Pathways of Bioactive Phytocompounds in Neurodegenerative Disorders

  • Jhanvi Soni,
  • Neeraj Kumar

摘要

The majority of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases, lead to gradual deterioration of neuronal structure and function, resulting in cognitive decline, motor dysfunction, and behavioral impairments. Despite substantial advances in understanding the molecular basis of neurodegeneration, no definitive cure or disease-modifying drug has yet been discovered. Most of these disorders share pathophysiological similarities such as oxidative stress, inflammation, protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, dysregulated proteostasis, and finally neurodegeneration. In this context, bioactive phytocompounds derived from medicinal plants have gained increasing attention due to their multitarget actions and diverse biological properties, notably antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Various classes of phytochemicals have demonstrated neuroprotective mechanisms. Polyphenols, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, exhibit strong antioxidant activity by scavenging reactive oxygen species and modulating signaling pathways. Alkaloids like berberine and stilbenes such as resveratrol reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, while resveratrol also activates SIRT1, promoting mitochondrial biogenesis. Terpenoids and saponins support neurogenesis, regulate apoptosis, and inhibit neuronal damage. The mechanistic pathways by which these compounds act include oxidative stress modulation, enhancing antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and catalase; anti-inflammatory effects, through inhibition of cytokines (e.g., IL-1β, TNF-α); microglial activation and apoptosis regulation, via mitochondrial stabilization and caspase inhibition; prevention of protein aggregation, including amyloid-beta clearance and tau protein stabilization; promotion of neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity, through upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); and enhancement of synaptogenesis. Notable examples include curcumin, which inhibits amyloid-beta aggregation; resveratrol, which improves mitochondrial function; and quercetin, which reduces oxidative stress and inflammation. Evidence from preclinical in vitro and animal studies consistently supports these neuroprotective actions, while limited human trials suggest cognitive and biochemical improvements. Overall, this chapter aims to highlight the possible mechanisms of phytocompounds in mitigating the complex pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders.