Targeting redox imbalance and inflammatory cascades in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration

Neurodegeneration is characterized as a pathological condition that primarily affects neurons. Neurodegenerative diseases are a broad category of neurological disorders that affect particular subsets of neurons in particular parts central nervous system and have a variety of clinical and pathological features. Oxidative stress and chronic neuroinflammation have a common convergent pathogenic axis in neurodegenerative diseases. The appearance of excessive reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species (NOS) production, dysfunction of the antioxidant defense mechanisms, and dysfunction of mitochondria facilitate the proliferation of oxidative injury to neuronal lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Simultaneously, prolonged stimulation of microglia and astrocytes results in the liberation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and nitric oxide that further increase redox imbalance and neuronal susceptibility. Targeting of these pathways has proven to be an effective treatment option. The possible benefits of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, mitochondrial protectants, and natural phytochemicals include the minimization of oxidative damage, redox balance restoration, and inflammatory signal regulation. This chapter highlights the mechanistic interaction between oxidative stress and neuroinflammation and the new preclinical and clinical interventions aimed for redox homeostasis restoration and to treat neurodegenerative diseases.