Taming neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease: The protective role of phytochemicals through the gut−brain axis

Aug 10, 2024Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

How Plant Compounds May Protect Against Brain Inflammation in Alzheimer's Through the Gut-Brain Connection

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Gut-Brain Axis on OpenScience ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Abstract

Consumption of phytochemical-rich foods may promote a healthy gut microbiota and reduce AD risk.

Alzheimer's disease is associated with cognitive decline due to brain changes such as amyloid-β plaques and tau protein tangles.
Neuroinflammation involving microglia and astrocytes may worsen neuronal damage in Alzheimer's disease.
Phytochemicals are natural compounds in plants that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Intake of phytochemicals can alter gut microbial composition and its metabolites, potentially affecting brain health.
Early dietary incorporation of phytochemicals could be a non-invasive approach to influence the gut-brain axis.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive degenerative neurological condition characterized by cognitive decline, primarily affecting memory and logical thinking, attributed to amyloid-β plaques and tau protein tangles in the brain, leading to neuronal loss and brain atrophy. Neuroinflammation, a hallmark of AD, involves the activation of microglia and astrocytes in response to pathological changes, potentially exacerbating neuronal damage. The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication pathway between the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems, crucial for maintaining brain health. Phytochemicals, natural compounds found in plants with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, such as flavonoids, curcumin, resveratrol, and quercetin, have emerged as potential modulators of this axis, suggesting implications for AD prevention. Intake of phytochemicals influences the gut microbial composition and its metabolites, thereby impacting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. Consumption of phytochemical-rich foods may promote a healthy gut microbiota, fostering the production of anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective substances. Early dietary incorporation of phytochemicals offers a non-invasive strategy for modulating the gut-brain axis and potentially reducing AD risk or delaying its onset. The exploration of interventions targeting the gut-brain axis through phytochemical intake represents a promising avenue for the development of preventive or therapeutic strategies against AD initiation and progression.

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Taming neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease: The protective role of phytochemicals through the gut−brain axis

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