Natural polyphenols against neurodegenerative disorders: Potentials and pitfalls

Within the last years, a rapidly growing number of polyphenolic compounds with neuroprotective effects have been described. Many efforts have been made to explore the mechanisms behind the neuroprotective action of polyphenols. However, many pathways and mechanisms considered for mediating these effects are rather general than specific. Moreover, despite the beneficial effects of polyphenols in experimental treatment of neurodegeneration, little has been achieved in bringing them into routine clinical applications. In this review, we have summarized the protective effects of polyphenols against neurodegeneration, and we have also discussed some of the barricades in translating these biochemical compounds, into relevant therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.