Potential involvement of oxidative stress in induction of neurodegenerative diseases : actions, mechanisms and neurotherapeutic potential of natural antioxidants

Abstract

Several studies have shown that oxidative damage to various org ans of a given organism is involved in causing various diseases, and in this context, the brain is hig hly vulnerable to oxidative stress because of its high metabolic rate, low capacity of cell regeneration, small amounts of enzymatic and non- enzymatic antioxidants. Oxidative stress is caused by an imbala nce in cell redox state, in which there is excessive production of reactive oxygen species and/or failure of antioxidant defense systems. Consequently, oxidative stress in brain has shown direct implic ations in the pathogenesis of several neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, H untington's, Schizophrenia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In this review, the critical rol e of oxidative stress in neuro-degenerative diseases as well as some aspects of antioxidant compounds (phen olic compounds and vitamins) regarding prevention and/or treatment of Alzheimer's, Parkinson 's, Huntington's, Schizophrenia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis were evaluated.