Borrego-Ruiz Alejandro, Borrego Juan J
Departamento de Psicología Social y de las Organizaciones, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Sep 11;26(18):8849. doi: 10.3390/ijms26188849.
Considering the multiple benefits of nutraceuticals, and given the growing interest in exploring these effects, understanding their mechanisms and implications in mental well-being and neurological integrity is essential and requires further examination to clarify their therapeutic potential. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in plant-derived nutraceuticals, particularly regarding their impact on mental health and brain function, by examining their bioactive components, their involvement in neuropsychiatric conditions, their role in neurodegeneration, emerging nutraceuticals with clinical relevance, and gut microbiome interactions with nutraceuticals and phytochemicals. Essential fatty acids, prebiotics, phytochemicals, and nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids contribute to mood regulation and cognitive function. Nutraceuticals can prevent or slow neurodegeneration by targeting misfolded proteins and modulating oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and dysregulated signaling pathways. Phytochemicals act as phytopsychobiotics, influencing mental health through gut microbiome modulation and generation of bioactive metabolites. and curcumin exert neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidepressant effects. Ginsenosides promote neuroprotection, partially via gut microbiome-mediated mechanisms. Administration of polysaccharides and lavender essential oil improves neurotransmitter regulation, intestinal barrier integrity, and depressive-like behaviors in preclinical models. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, anthocyanins, quercetin, catechins, and chlorogenic acid support neuroprotection and cognitive function via modulation of beneficial gut bacteria, short-chain fatty acid production, anti-inflammatory effects, and serotonin metabolism. The landscape of nutraceuticals offers a diverse range of dietary options with considerable potential to promote mental health and prevent neurodegeneration, but further research is required to elucidate how the gut microbiome may enhance these bioactivities.
鉴于营养保健品具有多种益处，且人们对探索其效果的兴趣日益浓厚，了解它们在心理健康和神经完整性方面的作用机制及影响至关重要，需要进一步研究以阐明其治疗潜力。本叙述性综述通过研究植物源营养保健品的生物活性成分、它们在神经精神疾病中的作用、在神经退行性变中的角色、具有临床相关性的新兴营养保健品以及肠道微生物群与营养保健品和植物化学物质的相互作用，全面概述了植物源营养保健品的最新进展。必需脂肪酸、益生元、植物化学物质以及氨基酸、维生素、矿物质和omega-3脂肪酸等营养素有助于情绪调节和认知功能。营养保健品可通过靶向错误折叠的蛋白质并调节氧化应激、神经炎症、线粒体功能障碍和失调的信号通路来预防或减缓神经退行性变。植物化学物质作为植物心理益生菌，通过调节肠道微生物群和产生生物活性代谢物来影响心理健康。姜黄素具有神经保护、抗炎、抗氧化和抗抑郁作用。人参皂苷部分通过肠道微生物群介导的机制促进神经保护。在临床前模型中，给予多糖和薰衣草精油可改善神经递质调节、肠道屏障完整性和抑郁样行为。Omega-3多不饱和脂肪酸、花青素、槲皮素、儿茶素和绿原酸通过调节有益肠道细菌、短链脂肪酸生成、抗炎作用和血清素代谢来支持神经保护和认知功能。营养保健品领域提供了多种饮食选择，在促进心理健康和预防神经退行性变方面具有相当大的潜力，但需要进一步研究以阐明肠道微生物群如何增强这些生物活性。
