Title:New Perspectives of Taxifolin in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Volume: 21
Issue: 10
Author(s): Rong Yang, Xinxing Yang and Feng Zhang*
Affiliation:
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine
of Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province and Laboratory
Animal Center, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- The Collaborative Innovation Center of Tissue
Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
Keywords:
Taxifolin, neurodegenerative disease, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neuroprotection, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease.
Abstract: Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD),
cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), and Huntington’s disease (HD) are characterized by cognitive
and motor dysfunctions and neurodegeneration. These diseases have become more severe over time
and cannot be cured currently. Until now, most treatments for these diseases are only used to relieve
the symptoms. Taxifolin (TAX), 3,5,7,3,4-pentahydroxy flavanone, also named dihydroquercetin, is a
compound derived primarily from Douglas fir and Larix gemelini. TAX has been confirmed to exhibit
various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammation, anti-cancer, anti-virus, and regulation
of oxidative stress effects. In the central nervous system, TAX has been demonstrated to inhibit Aβ fibril
formation, protect neurons and improve cerebral blood flow, cognitive ability, and dyskinesia. At
present, TAX is only applied as a health additive in clinical practice. This review aimed to summarize
the application of TAX in neurodegenerative diseases and the underlying neuroprotective mechanisms,
such as suppressing inflammation, attenuating oxidative stress, preventing Aβ protein formation,
maintaining dopamine levels, and thus reducing neuronal loss.
