ABSTRACT
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is currently the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and is expected to impose an increasing social and economic toll on societies as the average human lifespan is increased. PD is currently defined as a progressive movement disorder that results from the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Currently, detection of the disease is based on the clinical detection of two of the four cardinal signs associated with the disease, including resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural imbalance. At present, there is no known cure for PD, and treatments are focused on relieving physical symptoms instead of slowing or preventing disease progression. Disease pathology is associated with an increased oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and aggregation of the endogenous protein alpha-synuclein. Nutraceuticals encompass a wide range of products that are capable of providing therapeutic benefit. Specifically, antioxidant nutraceuticals have the potential to provide neuroprotection by the scavenging of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS), the chelation of iron, modulation of cell-signaling pathways, and the inhibition of inflammation. This review presents modern treatments, a mechanism for PD pathogenesis, and explores common antioxidant nutraceuticals along with their potential use in the prevention and treatment of the disease.
