Introduction: Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are progressive, directly affecting the central nervous system (CNS), the most common and recurrent are Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). One factor frequently mentioned in the etiology of NDDs is the generation of free radicals and oxidative stress, producing cellular damages. Studies have shown that the consumption of foods rich in polyphenols, especially those of the flavonoid class, has been related to the low risk in the development of several diseases. Due to the antioxidant properties present in the food, a fruit that has been gaining prominence among these foods is the Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açaí), because it presents in its composition significant amounts of a subclass of the flavonoids, the anthocyanins. Methods: In the case review, the authors receive a basic background on the most common NDDs, oxidative stress and antioxidants. In addition, revisiting the various studies related to NDDs, including flavonoids and consumption of açaí. Results: Detailed analysis of the recently reported case studies reveal that dietary consumption of flavonoid-rich foods, such as açaí fruits, suggests the efficacy to attenuate neurodegeneration and prevent or reverse the age-dependent deterioration of cognitive function. Conclusion: This systematic review points out that flavonoids presenting in açaí have the potential for the treatment of diseases such as PD and AD and are candidates for drugs in future clinical research. However, there is a need for in vitro and in vivo studies with polyphenol that prove and ratify the therapeutic potential of this fruit for several NDDs.

Background: Euterpe oleracea Martius, popularly known as açaí, is a fruit rich in α-tocopherols, fibers, lipids, mineral ions and polyphenols. It is believed that the high content of polyphenols, specially flavonoids, provides several health-promoting effects to the açaí fruit, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antinociceptive and antioxidant properties. Most of flavonoids are antioxidant molecules from vegetable origin that act as a trap for free radicals, reacting and neutralizing them, thus offering perspectives in preventing oxidative damage. Objective: In this study we aim to perform an in silico evaluation of flavonoids present in the pulp and in the oil of Euterpe oleracea Martius, and their potential to represent antioxidant agents. Methods: First, we selected 16 flavonoid molecules present in Euterpe oleracea Martius pulp and oil, and then their physicochemical properties were analysed with respect to the Lipinski’s rule of five. Moreover, we evaluated their pharmacokinetic properties using the QikProp module of the Schrödinger software and their toxicity profile using the DEREK software. Docking simulations in the GOLD 4.1 software and calculation of the pharmacophore hypothesis of molecules were also performed. Results: Flavonoids present in the açaí pulp, catechin, epicatechin, luteolin, chrisoeriol, taxifolin, apigenin, dihydrokaempferol, isovitexin and vitexin presented good oral bioavailability. Regarding pharmacokinetic properties, the compounds catechin, epicatechin, isovitexin, luteolin, chrisoeriol, taxifolin and isorhamnetina rutinoside presented the best results and high human oral absorption. In the prediction of toxicological properties, compounds isorhamnetin rutinoside and rutin presented alert concerning mutagenicity for hydroxynaphthalene or derivate, and in docking simulations all the compounds presented key interactions with the corresponding targets tested. Conclusion: The flavonoids catechin, chrysoeriol and taxifolin presented overall best results, allowing such computational results to serve as a theoretical basis for future studies of developing drug candidates for biological tests in vitro and in vivo, which can contribute to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are characterized by a progressive deterioration of the motor and/or cognitive function, that are often accompanied by psychiatric disorders, caused by a selective loss of neurons in the central nervous system. Among the NDDs we can mention Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinocerebellar ataxia 3 (SCA3), spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). AD and HD are characterized mainly by massive neuronal loss. PD, ALS, SCA3 and SBMA are agerelated diseases which have characteristic motor symptoms. CJD is an NDD caused by prion proteins. With increasing life expectancy, elderly populations tend to have more health problems, such as chronic diseases related to age and disability. Therefore, the development of therapeutic strategies to treat or prevent multiple pathophysiological conditions in the elderly can improve the expectation and quality of life. The attention of researchers has been focused on bioactive natural compounds that represent important resources in the discovery and development of drug candidates against NDDs. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis, symptoms, potential targets, treatment and natural compounds effective in the treatment of AD, PD, HD, ALS, SCA3, SBMA and CJD.

Neurodegenerative disorders prevalence is growing due to life expectancy increase, thus the passage signs of time are clearly visible in the brain. Oxidative stress is a factor that contributes to the organic defenses imbalance, producing free radicals, brain-aging progression and various degenerative diseases. Macromolecules oxidative damage increases with age, leading to a progressive decline in cell and tissue function. Antioxidants reduce these free radicals formation or react with them by neutralizing them. Euterpe oleracea Martius, popularly known as açaí, is rich in α-tocopherol, fibers, lipids, polyphenols and mineral ions. Believes that polyphenols high content, among them flavonoids, confers to açaí fruits a variety of health promoting effects, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antinociceptive and antioxidant properties. The present study aims to analyze, in silico, flavonoids physicochemical, pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties present in Euterpe oleracea Martius. Methodology: Initially, selected 16 molecules present in Euterpe oleracea Martius, divided into açaí pulp and oil. The physicochemical properties of the flavonoids were analyzed by the rule of 5, pharmacokinetic properties in the QikProp module of the Schrödinger software and the toxicity profile using the DEREK program. Results: Among physical-chemical properties, the flavonoid compounds catechin, epicatechin, luteolin, chrisoeriol, taxifolin, apigenin, dihydrocaempferol, isovitexin and vitexin presented good oral bioavailability. In pharmacokinetic properties, the molecules catechin, epicatechin, isovitexin, luteolin, chrisoeriol, taxifolina and isorhamnetina rutinosídeo presented the best results and high human oral absorption. In toxicological properties prediction the compounds presented good results, except for the isorhamnetina rutinoside and rutin compounds that presented alert about the mutagenicity for hydroxynaphthalene or derivative. Conclusion: Catechin, chrysoerythol and taxifolin flavonoids presented the best results, but other computational and experimental methods are needed to identify these compounds biological activity.