The present study examines the neuroprotective effects of selected flavonoid compounds against 3-NP in human neurons differentiated from iPSC derived neural stem cells. Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by loss of function and structure of neurons. Common pathways of notable diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and stroke are characterized by oxidative damage and excitotoxicity. Oxidative stress is an imbalance in a biological system due to the generation of free radicals and the system’s ability to detoxify leading to cell damage. Discovery of new compounds are essential towards developing therapeutic agents to combat the progressive degeneration of neurons. A screen of a 2,000 compound library identified several drugs that protected rat cortical neurons against toxicity induced by the mitochondrial toxin 3-nitroproprionic acid (3-NP). Of the compounds that showed at least 50% neuroprotection were several flavonoids including 7,8- Dihydroxyflavone, Fisetin and Luteolin.Flavonoids are a class of polyphenolic compounds that are found in a variety of fruits and vegetables. As polyphenols, flavonoids have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. Findings suggest that 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone and Luteolinare neuroprotective against oxidative damage in a dose responsive trend.
