Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder. Deposits of amyloid β-peptide in the senile plaques and the intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed of aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein (p-tau) are considered hallmarks in AD. Nowadays, all treatments to reduce neurodegenerative and cognitive failure present in AD have failed. However, recent studies have been demonstrated that the activation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) antioxidant pathway reduced neurodegeneration and prevented Aβ and p-tau aggregation in AD. Nrf2 regulates the expression of many genes by binding to the antioxidant response elements (AREs). Nrf2 levels decrease in function of age, and reduced Nrf2 levels have been reported in postmortem human brains and animal AD models. Significantly, Nrf2 can be activated by various natural compounds showing neuroprotection and significant improvement in cognitive performance in AD mice models. Understanding the role of Nrf2 pathway against neurodegeneration may facilitate the development of new strategies against AD. This current chapter aims to provide insights into the role of Nrf2 in AD and the use of natural compounds that activate this pathway to exert neuroprotection and improve cognitive abilities.