Phytonutraceuticals Modulate Cell Survival Signaling and Regulate Sympathetic Innervation in Aging and Disease

As individual's age, they experience an upsurge in cellular oxidative stress levels, autophagy, and chronic inflammation, resulting in several physiological and metabolic changes. Phytochemicals are secondary metabolites produced in plants that boost survival mechanisms and can modulate the psychological parameters of various life forms inhabiting specific environments. Polyphenols, a phytochemical derived from fruits, nuts, and vegetation, possess antioxidant properties that counteract oxidative stress and metabolic dysregulation. Preventing age-related diseases and cognitive deterioration and promoting mental agility, particularly among older people, has become a matter of vital public interest. Aged individuals face an elevated risk of contracting diseases due to a decline in immune functions and defense mechanisms and a chance of an increase in autoimmune diseases. Due to defective T cell receptor signaling, chronic low-grade inflammation attenuates disease progression with advancing age. Abnormal signaling cascades ERK, CREB, PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β, and NF-kB pathways were observed in aging and neurodegeneration. To enhance the immune and metabolic functions and improve cognition levels imposed by old age, one should consider adopting dietary practices that center around consuming fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Combining evidence-based pharmacological therapies with naturally derived compounds may provide a practical approach to slow down age-related pathological progression while minimizing side effects. Targeting the sympathetic nervous system’s involvement would help minimize age-related immune dysfunction and diseases. Resveratrol, quercetin, epicatechin, and curcumin are plant-derived nutraceutical components with antioxidant activities that can improve cognitive functionality across different age groups and mitigate age-related functional losses of synaptic and neuroplasticity.