Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are considered causative factors in various neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Antioxidants are chemicals that bind with oxidative species and nullify their effect from causing damage to biological molecules. Endogenous antioxidants are produced by our body, however most of them are obtained from external sources, primarily through diet, called dietary antioxidants. Major sources of antioxidants are brightly colored fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes, and herbs. Other very effective sources are berries, green tea, and dark chocolate. These compounds have the potential to hinder neurodegeneration, reduce neuronal death and improve memory as well as cognitive functions. Based on the complex nature of antioxidants and oxidative stress, particular antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C or β-carotene are beneficial in protecting cells, organs and tissues against oxidative damage. The Role of Natural Antioxidants in Brain Disorders describes various neuroprotective effects and their physiological phenomenon mediated by antioxidants to maintain and regulate the general health biomarkers against brain disorders. The important role of antioxidants, diet and lifestyle in managing brain disorders is covered, as is their use in conjunction with conventional therapies against oxidative stress. Both exogenous and endogenous antioxidants are explored in full. By focusing on the role of oxidative stress as a triggering mechanism for various brain disorders and the use of antioxidant foods in conjunction with traditional therapies in combating and preventing them, this is a valuable source for researchers in food science, nutrition, health science and physiology.

Oxidative stress is the result of an imbalance in pro-oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis that leads to the generation of toxic reactive oxygen species. Brain cells are continuously exposed to reactive oxygen species generated by oxidative metabolism, and in certain pathological conditions defense mechanisms against oxygen radicals may be weakened and/or overwhelmed. DNA is a potential target for oxidative damage, and genomic damage can contribute to neuropathogenesis. It is important therefore to identify tools for the quantitative analysis of DNA damage in models on neurological disorders. This book presents detailed information on various neurodegenerative disorders and their connection with oxidative stress. This information will provide clinicians with directions to treat these disorders with appropriate therapy and is also of vital importance for the drug industries for the design of new drugs for treatment of degenerative disorders.* Contains the latest information on the subject of neurodegenerative disorders* Reflects on various factors involved in degeneration and gives suggestions for how to tackle these problems

This book provides a comprehensive reference guide to plant-derived antioxidants, their beneficial effects, mechanisms of action, and role in disease prevention and improving general health (anti-ageing effect). The content is divided into three main parts, the first of which covers various antioxidants (such as polyphenols, carotenoids, tocopherols, tocotrienols, glutathione, ascorbic acid), their origins, plant biochemistry and industrial utilization. In turn, the book’s second, main part focuses on antioxidants’ beneficial health effects, explains biochemical fundamentals such as the free radical theory and oxidative stress, and discusses antioxidants’ role in e.g. cancer, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, degenerative diseases and ageing. The third part reviews general laboratory methods for antioxidant screening, preservation and determination. Written by an international team of experts, this highly interdisciplinary book will benefit a broad range of health professionals and researchers working in biochemistry, biotechnology, nutrition, plant science and food chemistry. It offers an indispensable, up-to-date guide for anyone interested in antioxidants and the role of a plant-based diet in disease prevention and control

Recognition that aging is not the accumulation of disease, but rather comprises fundamental biological processes that are amenable to experimental study, is the basis for the recent growth of experimental biogerontology. As increasingly sophisticated studies provide greater understanding of what occurs in the aging brain and how these changes occur

This book contributes to increasing the knowledge on the mechanisms of action of natural antioxidants, evidencing their pleiotropic role in the prevention and/or counteraction of degenerative diseases, and promoting their application in the functional food and cosmetic fields.

The focus of this collection of illustrated reviews is to discuss the systems biology of free radicals and anti-oxidants. Free radical induced cellular damage in a variety of tissues and organs is reviewed, with detailed discussion of molecular and cellular mechanisms. The collection is aimed at those new to the field, as well as clinicians and scientists with long standing interests in free radical biology. A feature of this collection is that the material also brings insights into various diseases where free radicals are thought to play a role. There is extensive discussion of the success and limitations of the use of antioxidants in several clinical settings.

The editor of this volume, having research interests in the field of ROS production and the damage to cellular systems, has identified a number of enzymes showing ·OH scavenging activities details of which are anticipated to be published in the near future as confirmatory experiments are awaited. It is hoped that the information presented in this book on NDs will stimulate both expert and novice researchers in the field with excellent overviews of the current status of research and pointers to future research goals. Clinicians, nurses as well as families and caregivers should also benefit from the material presented in handling and treating their specialised cases. Also the insights gained should be valuable for further understanding of the diseases at molecular levels and should lead to development of new biomarkers, novel diagnostic tools and more effective therapeutic drugs to treat the clinical problems raised by these devastating diseases.