Phenolic Compounds: the Role of Redox Regulation in Neurodegenerative Disease and Cancer

Much work has been carried out in the last two decades on the role of oxidative stress and antioxidants deficiency in the pathophysiology of civilization diseases. A considerable amount of chemical, biochemical, epidemiological and clinical evidence indicates that (poly)phenolic compounds widely distributed in the plant kingdom, exhibit a wide range effects on biomolecules. The beneficial effects on human health, many of phenolics have been described to their reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) scavenging and antioxidant capacity. The consumption of vegetables, fruits and flavonoid-rich beverages has been reported to prevent against neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and ageing. This paper reviews the recent data on (1) the role oxidative stress in the pathology of civilization diseases; (2) the protection against oxidative damage due to the toxicity of ROS/RNS; (3) the cellular and molecular interactions of the (poly)phenolic compounds relevant to the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, and (4) the methods for assessing antioxidant capacity.