Ozone: a natural bioactive molecule with antioxidant property as potential new strategy in aging and in neurodegenerative disorders
Autor
Scassellati, Catia
Galoforo, Antonio Carlo
Bonvicini, Cristian
Esposito, Ciro
Ricevuti, Giovanni
Institución
Resumen
Systems medicine is founded on a mechanism-based approach and identifies in this way
specific therapeutic targets. This approach has been applied for the transcription factor nuclear
factor (erythroid-derived 2)–like 2 (Nrf2). Nrf2 plays a central role in different pathologies
including neurodegenerative disorders (NDs), which are characterized by common pathogenetic
features. We here present wide scientific background indicating how a natural bioactive molecule
with antioxidant/anti-apoptotic and pro-autophagy properties such as the ozone (O3) can represent a
potential new strategy to delay neurodegeneration. Our hypothesis is based on different evidence
demonstrating the interaction between O3 and Nrf2 system. Through a meta-analytic approach, we
found a significant modulation of O3 on endogenous antioxidant-Nrf2 (p<0.00001, Odd Ratio
(OR)=1.71 95%CI:1.17-2.25) and vitagene-Nrf2 systems (p<0.00001, OR=1.80 95%CI:1.05-2.55).
O3 activates also immune, anti-inflammatory signalling, proteasome, releases growth factors,
improves blood circulation, and has antimicrobial activity, with potential effects on gut microbiota.
Thus, we provides a consistent rationale to implement future clinical studies to apply the oxygenozone (O2-O3) therapy in an early phase of aging decline, when it is still possible to intervene before
to potentially develop a more severe neurodegenerative pathology. We suggest that O3 along with other antioxidants (polyphenols, mushrooms) implicated in the same Nrf2-mechanisms, can showed
neurogenic potential, providing evidence as new preventive strategies in aging and in NDs.