Citrus Fruit Polyphenols and Flavonoids: Applications to Psychiatric Disorders

A significant amount of evidence suggests that oxidative stress and activated immune and inflammatory pathways are involved not only in normal aging and in neurodegenerative disorders, but also in mental disorders; the nutraceutical approach might be a promising strategy for promoting mental health. Citrus fruits are an important source of high-quality bioactive compounds, polyphenols and flavonoids whose range of properties include antioxidant, redox modulating, and antiinflammatory properties, along with the regulation of signaling pathways that influence neuronal development, survival, regeneration, or death. The chapter provides an overview of the potential applications of citrus polyphenols in depression, schizophrenia, and psychotic spectrum disorders, and in cognition and memory, two transnosographical dimensions in mental disorders. Although yet incomplete, current evidence suggests that citrus polyphenols have the potential to become neuroprotective agents to be included in the therapeutic equipment in the field of mental health.