Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a massive neuronal death causing memory loss, cognitive impairment and behavioral alteration that ultimately lead to dementia and death. AD is a multi-factorial pathology controlled by molecular events such as oxidative stress, protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction and neuro inflammation. Nowadays, there is no efficient disease-modifying treatment for AD and epidemiological studies have suggested that diet and nutrition have a significant impact on the development of this disorder. Indeed, some nutrients can protect all kind of cells, including neurons. As prevention is better than cure, life style improvement, with a special emphasis on diet, should seriously be considered as an anti-AD track and intake of nutrients promoting neuronal health is the need of the hour. Diets rich in unsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols and vitamins have been shown to protect against AD, whereas saturated fatty acids-containing diets deprived of polyphenols promote the development of the disease. Thus, Mediterranean diets, mainly composed of fruits, vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids, stand as valuable, mild and preventive anti-AD agents. This review focuses on our current knowledge in the field and how one can fight this devastating neurodegenerative disorder through the simple proper modification of our life style.

No abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine whether Cassia tora extracts could reverse the oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration in a Parkinson's disease in vitro model. The leaves were treated with ethyl acetate (CtEA) or methanol (CtME). The extracts were first analysed by HPLC for their phenolic content and then tested for their neuroprotective effects in human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells. Cells were pre-treated with various concentrations of extracts followed by incubation with paraquat (14 μM). Firstly, pre-treatment of SK-N-SH cells with 100 μg/mL of CtEA or CtME significantly reduced the paraquat-induced production of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, both CtEA and CtME reduced the paraquat-induced apoptosis. Moreover, there was a significant reduction of paraquat-induced DNA damage in SK-N-SH cells pre-treated with CtEA or CtME. Finally, both extracts significantly inhibited paraquat-dependent lipid peroxidation. Altogether, these in vitro data establish C. tora as a possible anti-Parkinson natural remedy.

No abstract

Objectives To examine the ability of Cassia tora extract to produce, in vitro and in vivo, beneficial effects with respect to events occurring during Alzheimer's disease. Methods Previously characterised methanol extract of C. tora was tested for its ability to lessen Aβ42 aggregation processes in vitro and to alleviate aluminium-induced impairments in vivo in rats. Key findings Cassia tora extract prevents the aggregation of monomeric, oligomeric and fibrillary Aβ1–42in vitro. Moreover, the daily ingestion of 100 and 400 milligrams of the extract per kilogram of body weight for 60 days ameliorates the neurobehavioral and cognitive abilities of aluminium-treated rats in vivo. Importantly, treatments with the extract trigger a significant recovery of antioxidant enzymes function, a diminution of lipid peroxidation and acetylcholinesterase activity, a decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokines expression and an increase of brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in both the hippocampus and the frontal cortex. Finally, we evidence that the extract is able to ameliorate the aluminium-dependent loss of neuronal integrity in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. Conclusions Altogether, our results reveal that methanol extract of C. tora is able to prevent typical AD-related events and therefore stands as a promising mild and natural anti-AD multitarget compound.