Potential implications of polyphenolic compounds in neurodegenerative diseases

Targeting natural antioxidant polyphenols to protect neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases: a comprehensive review

Polyphenols, naturally occurring phytonutrients found in plant-based foods, have attracted significant attention for their potential therapeutic effects in neurological diseases and neuroinflammation. These compounds possess diverse neuroprotective capabilities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-amyloid properties, which contribute to mitigating the progression of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), Dementia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Stroke, and Huntington's Disease (HD). Polyphenols have been extensively studied for their ability to regulate inflammatory responses by modulating the activity of pro-inflammatory genes and influencing signal transduction pathways, thereby reducing neuroinflammation and neuronal death. Additionally, polyphenols have shown promise in modulating various cellular signaling pathways associated with neuronal viability, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive function. Epidemiological and clinical studies highlight the potential of polyphenol-rich diets to decrease the risk and alleviate symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders and neuroinflammation. Furthermore, polyphenols have demonstrated their therapeutic potential through the regulation of key signaling pathways such as Akt, Nrf2, STAT, and MAPK, which play critical roles in neuroprotection and the body's immune response. This review emphasizes the growing body of evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of polyphenols in combating neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, as well as enhancing brain health. Despite the substantial evidence and promising hypotheses, further research and clinical investigations are necessary to fully understand the role of polyphenols and establish them as advanced therapeutic targets for age-related neurodegenerative diseases and neuroinflammatory conditions.

Polyphenols as Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulators: A promising strategy in clinical neurodegeneration

Polyphenols, a diverse group of naturally occurring compounds found in plants, have garnered significant attention for their potential therapeutic properties in treating neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). The Wnt/β-catenin (WβC) signaling pathway, a crucial player in neurogenesis, neuronal survival, and synaptic plasticity, is involved in several cellular mechanisms related to NDs. Dysregulation of this pathway is a hallmark in the development of various NDs. This study explores multiple polyphenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, stilbenes, lignans, and phenolic acids, and their potential to protect the nervous system. It provides a comprehensive analysis of their effects on the WβC pathway, elucidating their modes of action. The study highlights the dual function of polyphenols in regulating and protecting the nervous system, providing reassurance about the research benefits. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the results obtained from both in vitro studies and in vivo research, shedding light on how these substances influence the various components of the pathway. The focus is mainly on the molecular mechanisms that allow polyphenols to reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic processes, ultimately improving the function and survival of neurons. This study aims to offer a thorough understanding of the potential of polyphenols in targeting the WβC signaling pathway, which could lead to the development of innovative therapeutic options for NDs.

Lycium ruthenicum Murray anthocyanin-driven neuroprotection modulates the gut microbiome and metabolome of MPTP-treated mice

Emerging evidence suggests that Parkinson's disease (PD) is strongly associated with altered gut microbiota. The present study investigated the prophylactic effects of anthocyanins (ACNs) from Lycium ruthenicum Murray on Parkinson's disease based on microbiomics and metabolomics. In this study, sixty-six adult male C57BL/6J mice were randomized into the control group, model group, positive drug (Madopar) group, and low-, medium- and high-dose ACN groups. Behavioral experiments were conducted and pathological indicators were determined. Fresh feces were collected for microbiomic analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing. Urine and serum were analyzed by the UPLC-MS method for untargeted metabolomics. The results demonstrated that ACNs ameliorated 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced motor deficits, dopamine neuron death, and glial cell activation, while 100 mg kg-1 and 200 mg kg-1 ACNs were more neuroprotective than 50 mg kg-1. Mice with PD-like phenotypes have an altered gut microbiota composition, and ACNs may regulate this disorder by causing an increase in Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio and abundance of norank_f__Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group and a decrease in the abundance of norank_f__Muribaculaceae, Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002 and Parvibacter. Furthermore, ACNs increased 14 urinary key metabolites such as DIMBOA-Glc and tauroursodeoxycholic acid, decreased N,N-dimethyllysine, and increased 12 serum key metabolites such as 1-methylguanine and 1-nitro-5-glutathionyl-6-hydroxy-5,6-dihydronaphthalene, and decreased lamivudine-monophosphate and 5-butyl-2- methylpyridine. The present study reveals that ACNs are protective against MPTP-induced PD in mice by modulating anti-inflammatory flora in the gut and endogenous metabolites in serum/urine, and the key mechanisms may be related to Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002 and glycerophospholipid metabolic pathways. Our findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis and potential treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Bitter Perception and Effects of Foods Rich in Bitter Compounds on Human Health: A Comprehensive Review

Bitter food, because of its unique taste, is not popular with the public, and is even considered to be difficult to swallow. By binding to specific sites of bitter receptors (26 hTAS2Rs), bitter compounds activate the downstream signaling pathways mediated by G protein, which convert chemical signals into electrical signals that are ultimately transmitted to the brain to produce the bitter perception. The intensity of bitterness is mainly determined by the hydrophobic recognition region of bitter receptors. The bitter compounds in foods mainly include alkaloids, polyphenols, terpenoids, amino acids, etc. Foods rich in bitter taste are mostly natural such as beans, nuts, and coffee, etc. Studies have proven that bitter foods have biological activities such as preventing hyperlipidemia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, antioxidant, and exhibit neuroprotective effects and other biological activities. The purpose of this review is to explore the bitter perception and the biological activity of bitter compounds, clarify the mechanism of their action on human health, and provide theoretical guidance for the development and application of functional foods.

Layer by layer self-assembled hyaluronic acid nanoarmor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis

Natural compound-based treatments provide innovative ways for ulcerative colitis therapy. However, poor targeting and rapid degradation curtail its application, which needs to be addressed. Inspired by biomacromolecule-based materials, we have developed an orally administrated nanoparticle (GBP@HA NPs) using bovine serum albumin as a carrier for polyphenol delivery. The system synergizes galactosylated bovine serum albumin with two polyphenols, epigallocatechin gallate and tannic acid, which is then encased in "nanoarmor" of ε-Polylysine and hyaluronic acid to boost its stability and targeting. Remarkably, the nanoarmor demonstrated profound therapeutic effects in both acute and chronic mouse models of ulcerative colitis, mitigating disease symptoms via multiple mechanisms, regulating inflammation related factors and exerting a modulatory impact on gut microbiota. Further mechanistic investigations indicate that GBP@HA NPs may act through several pathways, including modulation of Keap1-Nrf2 and NF-κB signaling, as well as Caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis. Consequently, this novel armored nanotherapy promotes the way for enhanced polyphenol utilization in ulcerative colitis treatment research.

Evaluation of Bioactive Effects of Five Plant Extracts with Different Phenolic Compositions against Different Therapeutic Targets

Plant extracts rich in phenolic compounds have been reported to exert different bioactive properties. Despite the fact that there are plant extracts with completely different phenolic compositions, many of them have been reported to have similar beneficial properties. Thus, the structure-bioactivity relationship mechanisms are not yet known in detail for specific classes of phenolic compounds. In this context, this work aims to demonstrate the relationship of extracts with different phenolic compositions versus different bioactive targets. For this purpose, five plant matrices (Theobroma cacao, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Silybum marianum, Lippia citriodora, and Olea europaea) were selected to cover different phenolic compositions, which were confirmed by the phytochemical characterization analysis performed by HPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS. The bioactive targets evaluated were the antioxidant potential, the free radical scavenging potential, and the inhibitory capacity of different enzymes involved in inflammatory processes, skin aging, and neuroprotection. The results showed that despite the different phenolic compositions of the five matrices, they all showed a bioactive positive effect in most of the evaluated assays. In particular, matrices with very different phenolic contents, such as T. cacao and S. marianum, exerted a similar inhibitory power in enzymes involved in inflammatory processes and skin aging. It should also be noted that H. sabdariffa and T. cacao extracts had a low phenolic content but nevertheless stood out for their bioactive antioxidant and anti-radical capacity. Hence, this research highlights the shared bioactive properties among phenolic compounds found in diverse matrices. The abundance of different phenolic compound families highlights their elevated bioactivity against diverse biological targets.