Title:Narrative Review: Edible Plants as a Source of Valuable Flavonoids and
Their Role as Neuroprotector Agents
Volume: 19
Issue: 4
Author(s): Rosa Martha Pérez Gutiérrez*Julio Téllez Gómez
Affiliation:
- Natural Products Research Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering and Industries Extractives, National
Polytechnic Institute Av. National Polytechnic Institute S/N, Mexico City, CP 07708, Mexico
Keywords:
Flavonoids, memory, learning, neurodegenerative, Alzheimer’s disease, age-related deficit.
Abstract:
Background: Neurodegenerative disorder is a consequence of the gradual and progressive
deterioration of the function and structure of the peripheral nervous system or central
nervous system or both. Currently, effective treatment for this neurodegenerative disease does
not exist, thus, flavonoids abundant in fruits and vegetables have attracted attention as potential
neuroprotective agents.
Objective: The aim of this review was to discuss the existing scientific literature data regarding
flavonoids from edible plants and their potential as neuroprotective agents to provide constituent
compound and pharmacological relevance in the prevention or treatment of age-related deficits
in learning, memory, and Alzheimer’s disorder.
Methods: Exhaustive bibliographic investigation on phytochemistry and pharmacology associated
with flavonoids from edible plants was performed using scientific databases like Science Direct,
PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, EMBASE, Google Scholar, ChemSpider. “Cognitive
deficits”, “age-related cognitive”, “Alzheimer disease” “flavonoids” and “phenolic compounds”
utilized as keywords in the search in the databases. Published articles from 1992 to 2022 were
collected and studied.
Results: The finding indicated that flavonoids in edible plants can exert powerful effects on cognition
and consequently can reverse the age-related deficit in learning and memory and retard the
development of Alzheimer’s disorder due to their capacity to interact with the molecular architecture
of the brain responsible of the memory. Mechanisms of actions were analyzed, including
the effect on neuroinflammation, synaptic plasticity, signaling pathways, Aβ peptides, and hippocampus,
among others.
Conclusion: This study can be used as scientific support for the development of alternative
drugs, food supplements, and nutraceuticals to prevent, maintain and enhance the neurophysiological
status.