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© 2015 Bentham Science Publishers.Dementia is a strongly age-related syndrome due to cognitive decline that can be considered a typical example of the combination of physiological and pathological aging-associated changes occurring in old people; it ranges from intact cognition to mild cognitive impairment, which is an intermediate stage of cognitive deterioration, and dementia. The spread of this syndrome has induced to study and try to reduce dementia modifiable risk factors. They include insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, depression, cognitive inactivity or low educational attainment as well as physical inactivity and incorrect diet, which can be considered one of the most important factors. One emerging strategy to decrease the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and dementia may be the use of nutritional interventions. In the last decade, prospective data have suggested that high fruit and vegetable intakes are related to improved cognitive functions and reduced risks of developing a neurodegenerative process. The protective effects against neurodegeneration could be in part due to the intake of flavonoids that have been associated with several health benefits such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, increased neuronal signaling, and improved metabolic functions. The present article is aimed at reviewing scientific studies that show the protective effects of flavonoid intake against mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

The present study describes for the first time the in vitro properties (inhibition of NO production and anticholinesterase) of Phagnalon saxatile (L.) Cass. (Asteraceae). The methanolic extract showed antioxidant activity that was measured by DPPH assay and beta-carotene bleaching test. The same extract inhibited NO production in the murine monocytic macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition was assessed by modifications of Ellman's method. Purification of the MeOH extract of P. saxatile allowed the isolation of phenolic compounds. Among them, the compounds that most effectively inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production were caffeic acid and methylchlorogenic acid, with IC50 values of 7 microg/mL and 12 microg/mL, respectively. Luteolin and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid exhibited the most promising activity against AChE with an IC50 of 25.2 and 54.5 microg/mL, respectively, while caffeic acid and luteolin exhibited higher activity against BChE with an IC50 of 32.2 and 37.2 microg/mL, respectively.