Alzheimer's Disease and Functional Foods: An Insight on Neuroprotective Effect of its Combination

Pak J Biol Sci. 2020 Jan;23(5):575-589. doi: 10.3923/pjbs.2020.575.589.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease which impairs memory and cognitive function. Currently, AD has no cure and treatments are focused on relieving its symptoms. Several functional plants and foods, such as pomegranate, date fruits, honey, black seeds and figs, possess nutritious properties which alleviate AD. In vitro and in vivo studies reported that these functional foods exert neuroprotective effects through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This review are going to discusses the bioactive components and neuroprotective activities of the functional foods such as pomegranate, dates, honey, black seeds and figs and the potential of functional foods combinations to alleviate AD. Functional food combinations have potential to be consumed for health benefit for the prevention and treatment of AD. This review summarises the functional foods which can be useful for the prevention, treatment and management of AD via oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms. Besides, it provides a new insight on the potential of functional food combinations for the prevention and treatment of AD.

Keywords: Alzheimer�s disease; Functional foods; neuroprotective; phytochemicals.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology
  • Alzheimer Disease / prevention & control*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage*
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Cognition / drug effects
  • Diet, Healthy*
  • Functional Food*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Memory / drug effects
  • Neuroprotective Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Neuroprotective Agents