SYNERGISTIC NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF FLAVONOIDS AND MICRONUTRIENTS ON OXIDATIVE STRESS AND NEUROINFLAMMATION

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases are also being perceived as one of the major health challenges in the world, where the degeneration of neurons, their cognitive abilities and their dysfunctional nervous systems are associated with the disease. Oxidative stress and chronic neuroinflammation are two key processes that cause these disorders, and are both involved in interrupting cellular homeostasis and increasing neuronal death rate. Recent studies have begun pointing to the possibility of moderating these pathological processes through the action of nutritional compounds, flavonoids and micronutrients to some extent. Flavonoids are polyphenols of diverse chemical structure but originally found in plants and were associated with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions contributing to the regulation of cellular signal transduction of neuronal defense. Micronutrients such as essential vitamins and trace minerals have major roles in the preservation of neuronal metabolism and antioxidant defense systems as well as in the preservation of mitochondrial functions. The combined effect of different flavonoids and micronutrients is beginning to be investigated as a potential synergistic approach to stimulating neuroprotective effects and improving their ability to mitigate oxidative free radicals as well as adjust inflammatory processes in the central nervous system. These synergistic responses have the potential to enhance neuronal capacity and quality in aging and provide cognitive health. This review investigates the biological pathways of the oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative disorders and attempts to analyze the complementary effects of flavonoids and micronutrients in neuroprotection. The knowledge of these interactions can be useful in devising dietary ways and nutraceutical interventions that could prevent or delay the onset of the neurodegenerative diseases.