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Emerging evidence suggests that ferroptosis, a unique regulated cell death modality that is morphologically and mechanistically different from other forms of cell death, plays a vital role in the pathophysiological process of neurodegenerative diseases, and strokes. Accumulating evidence supports ferroptosis as a critical factor of neurodegenerative diseases and strokes, and pharmacological inhibition of ferroptosis as a therapeutic target for these diseases. In this review article, the core mechanisms of ferroptosis are overviewed and the roles of ferroptosis in neurodegenerative diseases and strokes are described. Finally, the emerging findings in treating neurodegenerative diseases and strokes through pharmacological inhibition of ferroptosis are described. This review demonstrates that pharmacological inhibition of ferroptosis by bioactive small‐molecule compounds (ferroptosis inhibitors) could be effective for treatments of these diseases, and highlights a potential promising therapeutic avenue that could be used to prevent neurodegenerative diseases and strokes. This review article will shed light on developing novel therapeutic regimens by pharmacological inhibition of ferroptosis to slow down the progression of these diseases in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder featuring both motor and nonmotor symptoms associated with a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Oxidative stress (OS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of PD. Genetic and environmental factors can produce OS, which has been implicated as a core contributor to the initiation and progression of PD through the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) orchestrates activation of multiple protective genes, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which protects cells from OS. Nrf2 has also been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects and modulate both mitochondrial function and biogenesis. Recently, a series of studies have reported that different bioactive compounds were shown to be able to activate Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) and can ameliorate PD-associated neurotoxin, both in animal models and in tissue culture. In this review, we briefly overview the sources of OS and the association between OS and the pathogenesis of PD. Then, we provided a concise overview of Nrf2/ARE pathway and delineated the role played by activation of Nrf2/HO-1 in PD. At last, we expand our discussion to the neuroprotective effects of pharmacological modulation of Nrf2/HO-1 by bioactive compounds and the potential application of Nrf2 activators for the treatment of PD. This review suggests that pharmacological modulation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway by bioactive compounds is a therapeutic target of PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aggregation and neurotoxicity of the presynaptic protein α-synuclein and the progressive loss of nigral dopaminergic neurons are believed to be the key hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD). A53T mutant α-synuclein causes early onset PD and more severe manifestations. A growing body of evidence shows that misfolding or deposition of α-synuclein is linked to the maintenance of mitochondrial dynamics, which has been proven to play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD. It has been observed that Dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) may be safe and effective in improving the non-tremor-dominant PD. However, the potential mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether NBP could decrease the loss of dopaminergic neurons and α-synuclein deposition and explore its possible neuroprotective mechanisms. Methods: A total of 20 twelve-month-old human A53T α-synuclein transgenic mice and 10 matched adult C57BL/6 mice were included in the study; 10 adult C57BL/6 mice were selected as the control group and administered with saline (0.2 ml daily for 14 days); 20 human A53T α-synuclein transgenic mice were randomly divided into A53T group (treated in the same manner as in the control group) and A53T + NBP group (treated with NBP 0.2 ml daily for 14 days). Several markers of mitochondrial fission and fusion and mitophagy were determined, and the behavioral, olfactory, and cognitive symptoms were assessed as well. Results: In the present study, it was observed that the A53T-α-synuclein PD mice exhibited anxiety-like behavioral disturbance, impairment of coordination ability, memory deficits, and olfactory dysfunction, loss of dopaminergic neurons, and α-synuclein accumulation. Meanwhile, the mitofusin 1 expression was significantly decreased, and the mitochondrial number and dynamin-related protein 1, Parkin, and LC3 levels were increased. The detected levels of all markers were reversed by NBP treatment, and the mitochondrial morphology was partially recovered. Conclusion: In the present study, a valuable neuropharmacological role of NBP has been established in the A53T-α-synuclein PD mouse model. Possible neuroprotective mechanisms might be that NBP is involved in the maintenance of mitochondrial dynamics including mitochondrial fission and fusion and clearance of damaged mitochondria. It is essential to perform further experiments to shed light on the precise mechanisms of NBP on mitochondrial homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our recent study demonstrated that pinocembrin (PB), the most abundant flavonoid in propolis, has neuroprotective effect against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP + )-induced SH-SY5Y neurotoxicity. However, the mechanism as how PB can induce neuroprotection is not known. In the present study, we demonstrate here that PB increased heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, which conferred protection against MPP + -induced cytotoxicity, because the inhibitor of HO-1 zinc protoporphyrin-IX attenuated the neuroprotection of PB. PB induced the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and its cytoprotective effect was abolished by ERK1/2 inhibitors. Meanwhile, we have shown that MPP + induce the expression in a concentration-dependent manner in SH-SY5Y cells, which was further enhanced by PB. Taken together, the results suggest that PB enhances HO-1 expression to suppress MPP + -induced oxidative damage via ERK1/2 signaling pathways. These results revealed the mechanisms of PB enhances HO-1 expression, and contribute to shed some light on the mechanisms whereby PB inhibits the MPP + -induced neurotoxicity. These data indicated that PB might provide a valuable therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of istradefylline as an adjunct to levodopa in patients with Parkinson''s Disease (PD). Methods: In this study, we searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, China Academic Journal Full-text Database (CNKI), China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), and Wanfang Database. The quality of included studies was strictly evaluated. Data analyses were performed by the Cochrane Collaboration''s RevMan5.0 software. Results: Five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The result showed a significant reduction of the awake time per day spent in the OFF state and improvement of the Unified Parkinson''s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part III in the ON state when receiving istradefylline compared with patients receiving placebo. There was no significant difference between the istradefylline 20mg and the istradefylline 40mg groups in the UPDRS Part III in the ON state (WMD=1.27, 95% CI [−0.40, 2.95]). The results showed significant differences in dyskinesia (RR=1.63, 95% CI [1.16, 2.29]) compared to istradefylline 40mg with placebo. There was no significant statistical difference with regard to other adverse events. Conclusions: The present study showed that istradefylline is safe and effective as an adjunct to levodopa in patients with PD. Future large-scale, higher-quality, long-treatment, and placebo-controlled trials are needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]