Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress in the Traumatic Brain Injury and in the Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Diseases: Modulation by Nutritional Supplementation

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and neurodegenerative diseases are an important cause of morbidity and mortality frequently associated with behavioral incapacities including risk of brain atrophy and dementia. The mechanisms currently hypothesized for the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimers disease (AD) and TBI are neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. In recent years, many studies have focused on the analysis of natural phyto-components present in food as important bioactive molecules against chronic age-related diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases or against inflammatory disorders. Hericium erinaceus is a medicinal mushroom frequently employed in the Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is particularly suitable for the prevention and treatment of pathologies of the central (brain) and peripheral (nerves) nervous system, thanks its ability to promote the formation and repair of damaged nerve cells. Used for centuries, Moringa oleifera has Indian origins and is widespread in tropical and equatorial areas. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and contains a large amount of antioxidant substances. Therefore, in this thesis we evaluated the effects of Hericium erinaceus or Moringa oleifera or Hericium erinaceus plus Moringa oleifera in a mouse model of TBI and AD. In addiction, we wanted to study the role of Hidrox® (HD), an aqueous extract of olive containing 40–50% of hydroxytyrosol on the neurobiological and behavioral alterations in a mouse model of PD. Our results demonstrated that natural compounds such as Hericium erinaceus, Moringa and Hydroxytyrosol are powerful anti-inflammatories and antioxidants. Therefore, Hericium erinaceus and Moringa represent a nutritional product that could be used as therapies against TBI and AD, while Hidrox® could be used as a preventive agent in the neurodegenerative process characteristic of PD.