Response of Cellular Stress Toward the Hormetic Phytochemicals in Brain Aging

As people age, their brain cells undergo various types of stress that can lead to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. One potential strategy for preventing or mitigating this process is hormesis, a concept that involves exposure to low doses of stressors that can elicit adaptive responses and protect against subsequent exposure to higher doses of the same stressor. This chapter summarizes the evidence suggesting that phytochemicals found in various plants and vegetables can elicit hormetic effects and protect against oxidative stress, inflammation, and other cellular stressors that contribute to brain aging. This chapter discusses several phytochemicals that have been shown to elicit hormetic effects in brain cells, including resveratrol, curcumin, sulforaphane, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The chapter also investigates the molecular mechanisms behind these phytochemicals’ hormetic actions, such as activation of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway and induction of autophagy. The chapter discusses the role of phytochemicals in supporting good aging and reducing age-related neurological disorders. Overall, this chapter gives an overview of the involvement of hormesis and phytochemicals in response to cellular stress and brain aging. It implies that including phytochemical-rich foods in one’s diet might be a realistic method to promote healthy aging and lower the risk of age-related cognitive impairment.