Flavonoids and Diarylheptanoids: Neuroprotective Activities of Phytochemicals

Abstract

Plants are often used as sources of lead compounds with phenolic compounds frequently attributed to physiological effects. Flavonoids and diarylheptanoids are important groups of phenolic compounds that impart antioxidant, antitumorgenic, antinflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. These neuroprotective effects can be harnessed to develop treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Recent discoveries have characterized new neuroprotective compounds and/or sources and tested treatments on cell lines and model animals to improve treatments for future persons with neurodegenerative disorders.