Neuroinflammation is one of the main mechanisms involved in the progression of several
neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson, Alzheimer, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis and others. The activation of microglia is the main feature of neuroinflammation,
promoting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and resulting in the progressive
neuronal cell death. Natural compounds, such as flavonoids, possess neuroprotective
potential probably related to their ability to modulate the inflammatory responses
involved in neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, pure flavonoids (e.g., quercetin,
genistein, hesperetin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate) or enriched-extracts, can reduce
the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β and COX-2), down-regulate
inflammatory markers and prevent neural damage. This anti-inflammatory activity is
primarily related to the regulation of microglial cells, mediated by their effects
on MAPKs and NF-κB signalling pathways, as demonstrated by in vivo and in vitro data.
The present work reviews the role of inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting
the potential therapeutic effects of flavonoids as a promising approach to develop
innovative neuroprotective strategy.