The positive role of nutrition in chronic neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) suggests that dietary interventions represent helpful tools for preventing NDs. In particular, diets enriched with natural compounds have become an increasingly attractive, non-invasive, and inexpensive option to support a healthy brain and to potentially treat NDs. Bioactive compounds found in vegetables or microalgae possess special properties able to counteract oxidative stress, which is involved as a triggering factor in neurodegeneration. Here, we briefly review the relevant experimental data on curcuminoids, silymarin, chlorogenic acid, and compounds derived from the microalga Aphanizomenon flos aquae (AFA) which have been demonstrated to possess encouraging beneficial effects on neurodegeneration, in particular on Alzheimer's disease models. and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) [4,5]. Intracellular neurofibrillary tangles are composed of hyperphosphorylated Tau proteins in neurons located particularly in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex regions of the brain. The reduced expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), important for neuronal growth and memory functions, also plays a crucial role in AD pathogenesis via formation of senile plaque of Aβ and NFTs. At the molecular level, Aβ induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction associated with apoptosis [6,7].Parkinson's disease is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and formation of Lewy bodies, abnormal intraneuronal aggregates of proteins that include α-synuclein, ubiquitin, and neurofilaments [8]. The pathogenic mechanisms of PD include oxidative stress, mitochondrial and protein dysfunction, inflammation, and apoptosis [9]. In particular, oxidative stress generates ROS which activates glial cells, and activated glial cells generate inflammation that results in mitochondrial dysfunction, and, consequently, dysfunctional mitochondria activate cell death machinery [10].Hence, oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage are common factors involved in the etiopathology of these neurodegenerative diseases [11-13].
Oxidative Stress and NeurodegenerationOxidative stress is characterized by an overproduction of ROS-oxygen-containing molecules known to be highly reactive.Reactive oxygen species are formed in mitochondria during oxidative phosphorylation as a byproduct of normal metabolism. Therefore, modest levels of ROS are normally expected and are considered essential for the regulation of normal cell functions, while excessive ROS production can damage various biological targets, such as DNA, lipids, and proteins, causing serious neurological injury. Because the brain consumes a large amount of molecular oxygen to function properly, the accumulation of damaged biomolecules caused by ROS is high, especially with aging [14]. To limit these cellular damages, brain neurons produce antioxidant defense enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catala...