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Berries are well-known fruits for their antioxidant effects due to their high content of flavonoids, and quercetin is one of the potent bioactive flavonoids. Although oxidative stress is an inevitable outcome in cells due to energy uptake and metabolism and other factors, excessive oxidative stress is considered a pivotal mediator for the cell death and leads to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Furthermore, oxidative stress triggers inflammation that leads to neuronal cell loss. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and so on are the main neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, AD and PD are the most affected NDDs and cause the most lethality without any effective cure. Since AD and PD are the most common NDDs, therefore, in this study, we will describe the effect of oxidative stress on AD and PD. Targeting oxidative stress could be a very effective way to prevent and cure NDDs. Thus, the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO1) are potent endogenous antioxidant modulatory pathways, which also show cytoprotective activities. Modulation of Nrf2/HO1 signaling pathways through a biological approach could be an effective way to treat with NDDs. Quercetin is a natural polyphenol, which protects neurodegeneration, remarkably by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation. Thus, quercetin could be a very effective agent against NDDs. We will discuss the benefits and challenges of quercetin to treat against NDDs, focusing on molecular biology.

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Green chicory (Cichorium intybus) leaf is consumed worldwide that has tremendous bio-functional activities. This study was designed to elucidate the bio-functional activities of the green chicory leaf extract (CLE). Trolox equivalent antioxidant activities were carried out against DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging and ferric reducing activities. CLE showed remarkable hepatoprotective activity against oxidative damages and reactive oxygen species reducing effect in RAW 264.7 and Hep G2 cells. The anti-inflammatory effects performed on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and primary spleen cells. In RAW 264.7 cells, Chicory leaf extract significantly restored the iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, TNF-α and other pro-inflammatory cytokines in mRNA expression. Meanwhile, it restored NF-κB (P-65) and MAPK pathways activation in immunoblot assay dose-dependently and repressed the P-65 translocation in the nucleus. Moreover, it showed notable anti-proliferative activities and downregulated NF-κB (P-65) and MAPK activation in LPS-stimulated splenocytes. Our findings suggest that CLE could be used as a natural anti-inflammatory agent. ARTICLE HISTORY

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