Plant-derived compounds, vitagens, vitagenes and mitochondrial function

Abstract

There is great interest in identifying natural products that can be approved as nutraceuticals. A good option is to induce transcription of vitagenes, which would lead to increased expression of proteins that provide the means to maintain homeostasis. In fact, the induction of vitagenes is considered relevant during aging, especially if aging is accompanied by neurodegenerative diseases. Care must be taken to avoid confusing vitagenes, which are genes, and vitagens, which are vitamin-like low-molecular weight compounds; both concepts are recalled here. Although mitochondria are key factors in several chronic diseases of the nervous system, the amount of vitagenes that is associated with better mitochondrial function (bioenergetics, oxidative stress, biogenesis, dynamics, etc.) is limited. Plant molecules have been used for centuries to improve well-being, and some have a directly or indirectly impact on mitochondrial function. However, there is little knowledge about whether plant-derived products can induce vitagenes related to the enhancement of the multiple actions exerted by mitochondria; studies are needed to detect natural plant compounds that increase the transcription of genes related to the function of this cellular organelle. This study is expected to identify new vitagenes whose induction provides benefits in aging and/or neurodegenerative diseases.