Abstract

PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL INSIGHTS AND THE ROLE OF FLAVONOIDS IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE TREATMENT

Ghanshyam B. Jadhav, *Urmila M. Aware, Pooja V. Bombale, Bhagyashri D. Thombare, Dipali D. Warghade and Tanuja S. Pagar

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Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid-beta deposition, tau hyperphosphorylation, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation, lacks a definitive cure. Current treatments, including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA antagonists, offer only symptomatic relief. This review emphasizes flavonoids, plant-derived polyphenolic compounds, as emerging neuroprotective agents targeting AD pathology. Flavonoids such as apigenin, hesperidin, and catechin exhibit multifaceted mechanisms, including antioxidant activity, regulation of reactive oxygen species, inhibition of amyloid-beta aggregation, reduction of tau hyperphosphorylation, and suppression of neuroinflammatory pathways. These compounds also enhance synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival, demonstrating potential in modulating disease progression. By crossing the blood-brain barrier and influencing molecular targets like the PI3K/Akt and GSK-3β pathways, flavonoids offer a promising avenue for disease-modifying therapies. This review underscores the urgent need for clinical trials to standardize their efficacy, bioavailability, and safety for therapeutic application in AD.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) B-amyloid peptide, tau protein, Synaptic plasticity, Neuroprotection.