Targeting gut-brain axis by dietary flavonoids ameliorate aging-related cognition decline: Evidences and mechanisms

Abstract

Aging-related cognitive impairment, mainly Alzheimer’s disease (AD), has been widely studied. However, effective prevention and treatment methods are still lacking. In recent years, researchers have observed beneficial effects of plant-based supplements, such as flavonoids, on cognitive protection. This provides a new clue for the prevention of cognitive dysfunction. Studies have shown that dietary flavonoids have neuroprotective effects, but the mechanism is not clear. In this review, we systematically reviewed the research progress on the effects of dietary flavonoids on gut microbes and their metabolites, and concluded that flavonoids could improve cognitive function through the gut-brain axis. Flavonoids can be absorbed through the intestine, cross the blood-brain barrier, and enter the brain tissue. Flavonoids can inhibit the expression and secretion of inflammatory factors in brain tissue, reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress, clear neural damage proteins and inhibit neuronal apoptosis, thereby ameliorating age-related cognitive disorders. Future work will continue to explore the gut-brain axis and target genes regulated by flavonoids. In addition, clinical research and its mechanisms need to be further explored to provide solutions or advise for patients with cognitive impairment.

Keywords:

• Flavonoids
• cognition decline
• gut-brain axis
• inflammation
• oxidative damage

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the funds from the Key Project of State Key R & D Program, China (No.2022YFF1100200), the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province, China (Grant No.2021JJ31075), the Program for Science & Technology Innovation Platform of Hunan Province (2019TP1029), the Graduate Innovative Research Project of Hunan province and Central South University of Forestry and Technology (No. CX202101027), and Innovation Fund for Postgraduates of Hunan Province (No. CX20210862).

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no competing financial interests.