Role of Phytoconstituents as PPAR Agonists: Implications for Neurodegenerative Disorders

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors crucial for gene regulation.
• PPAR activation is implicated in treating cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Existing reviews focus on synthetic PPAR agonists, lacking comprehensive reports on natural phytoconstituents for neurodegenerative conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of naturally derived phytoconstituents as PPAR agonists.
• To explore their neuroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases.
• To highlight preclinical evidence and potential therapeutic applications.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of preclinical studies on phytoconstituents and PPARs.
• Analysis of mechanistic insights into neuroprotection.
• Inclusion of studies using clinical samples and model organisms like *Drosophila melanogaster*.

Main Results:

• Various phytoconstituents, including flavonoids, fatty acids, cannabinoids, curcumin, genistein, capsaicin, and piperine, function as PPAR agonists.
• These compounds exhibit direct or indirect activation of PPARs.
• Preclinical studies support their neuroprotective potential.

Conclusions:

• Phytoconstituents represent a promising class of natural PPAR agonists for neurodegenerative disease therapy.
• Further research into their mechanisms and clinical efficacy is warranted.
• Model organisms offer valuable platforms for studying these effects.