Natural products present neurotrophic properties in neurons of the limbic system in aging rodents

• Published in: Synapse (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 75; no. 2; pp. e22185 - n/a
• Main Authors: Flores, Gonzalo, Flores‐Gómez, Gabriel Daniel, Díaz, Alfonso, Penagos‐Corzo, Julio César, Iannitti, Tommaso, Morales‐Medina, Julio César
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.02.2021
• Subjects: Aging; apamin; caffeine; Central nervous system; cerebrolysin; Circadian rhythms; Cognitive ability; curcuma; Dementia disorders; Drug development; Limbic system; Natural products; Neurodegeneration; neuronal morphology; Resveratrol; caffeine; curcuma; aging; resveratrol; apamin; cerebrolysin; neuronal morphology
• ISSN: 0887-4476; 1098-2396
• DOI: 10.1002/syn.22185

Aging is a complex process that can lead to neurodegeneration and, consequently, several pathologies, including dementia. Physiological aging leads to changes in several body organs, including those of the central nervous system (CNS). Morphological changes in the CNS and particularly the brain result in motor and cognitive deficits affecting learning and memory and the circadian cycle. Characterizing neural modifications is critical to designing new therapies to target aging and associated pathologies. In this review, we compared aging to the changes occurring within the brain and particularly the limbic system. Then, we focused on key natural compounds, apamin, cerebrolysin, Curcuma longa, resveratrol, and N‐PEP‐12, which have shown neurotrophic effects particularly in the limbic system. Finally, we drew our conclusions delineating future perspectives for the development of novel natural therapeutics to ameliorate aging‐related processes. Brain aging is a natural complex process that involves some cognitive deficits. Neuronal aging also implies a reduction in synaptic communications. Aging is accompanied by inflammatory processes, oxidative stress and apoptosis. In the present review, all these changes in cerebral aging are analyzed. The effect of various products on brain aging is also analyzed. Abbreviations: BLA, basolateral amygdala;, DM, dorsomedial; NAcc, nucleus accumbens; PFC, prefrontal cortex; VP, ventral pallidum.