BIO024 Neuroprotective and antioxidant activity of flavonoids isolated from Serjania erecta Radlk

Nowadays Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia in the world. The major neuropathological signs of this disease include the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, extracellular deposition of A? peptide and extensive neuronal loss. A? peptide accumulation seems to be the initial factor of degeneration associated to this disease, but its neurotoxicity mechanism is not elucidated yet. However, many studies have shown that the generation of free radicals is involved in this system, leading to oxidative stress, which can initiate processes that culminate in death of neuronal cells, reflecting the different symptoms presented by Alzheimer's patients. Several in vivo studies using Alzheimer's animal models and in vitro studies with neuronal PC12 cells have shown that A? peptide efficiently produces ROS and nitric oxide, an important cellular signaling molecule involved in many physiological and pathological processes that favor an extremely destructive environment. Nowadays, the most commonly indicated treatment for AD aims the recovery of the cholinergic deficits, but obtained results have not been positive for all patients. More recently there has been an extensive interest in the search for new therapeutic agents that may reduce disease progression and provide a protective effect for preventing neuronal damages. Literature data have shown that adaptogenic plants, known for their antioxidant and protective properties, are a promising therapeutic target in the search for bioactive compounds that may play such activities. Serjania erecta Radlk, an adaptogenic plant, popularly known as cipo-cinco-folhas produces flavonoids with validated antioxidant and protective activities.