Title:Do Naturally Occurring Antioxidants Protect Against Neurodegeneration
of the Dopaminergic System? A Systematic Revision in Animal Models of
Parkinson's Disease
Volume: 20
Issue: 2
Author(s): Carmen Costas and Lilian R.F. Faro*
Affiliation:
- Department of Functional Biology and Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Vigo, Campus Lagoas-
Marcosende, 36310, Vigo, Spain
Keywords:
Naturally occurring antioxidants, Parkinson’s disease, experimental models of parkinsonism, vitamins, polyphenols, flavonoids.
Abstract: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease and is
characterized by a significant decrease in dopamine levels, caused by progressive degeneration of
the dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway. Multiple mechanisms have been implicated
in its pathogenesis, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, protein aggregation, mitochondrial
dysfunction, insufficient support for neurotrophic factors and cell apoptosis. The absence
of treatments capable of slowing or stopping the progression of PD has increased the interest
in the natural antioxidant substances present in the diet, since they have multiple beneficial properties
and it is possible that they can influence the mechanisms responsible for the dysfunction
and death of dopaminergic neurons. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review is to analyze the
results obtained in a set of studies carried out in the last years, which describe the neuroprotective,
antioxidant and regenerative functions of some naturally occurring antioxidants in experimental
models of PD. The results show that the exogenous no enzymatic antioxidants can significantly
modify the biochemical and behavioral mechanisms that contribute to the pathophysiology of
Parkinsonism in experimental animals. Therefore, it is possible that they may contribute to effective
neuroprotection by providing a significant improvement in neuropathological markers. In conclusion,
the results of this review suggest that exogenous antioxidants can be promising therapeutic
candidates for the prevention and treatment of PD.