MAPK signaling in neurodegeneration: influences of flavonoids and of nitric oxide

Oxidative and nitrosative stress is increasingly associated with the pathology of neurodegeneration and aging. The molecular mechanisms underlying oxidative/nitrosative stress-induced neuronal damage are emerging and appear to involve a mode of death in which mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways are strongly implicated. Thus, attention is turning towards the modulation of intracellular signaling as a therapeutic approach against neurodegeneration. Both endogenous and dietary agents have been suggested as potent modulators of intracellular signal transduction, e.g. nitric oxide and flavonoids, respectively. This review addresses recent findings on the biological effects of flavonoids and nitric oxide in neurodegeneration and aims to elucidate the rationale for their prospective use as modulators of cellular signal transduction.