Neuroprotective effects of p-synephrine against neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and cognitive impairment: a scoping review under the PRISMA-ScR approach.

This research project consists of a systematic scoping review designed under the PRISMA-ScR framework, whose main objective is to map and synthesize the available scientific evidence regarding the neuroprotective effects of p-synephrine. Research Purpose In the face of population aging and the rise of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, there is a critical need to identify natural compounds that mitigate chronic neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, two processes that accelerate cognitive decline and neuronal damage. Although p-synephrine (a protoalkaloid from the Citrus genus) is known for its peripheral metabolic effects, the evidence regarding its impact on the central nervous system (CNS) is emerging and fragmented. The purpose of this work is: To systematize the literature to decipher the molecular and intracellular mechanisms through which p-synephrine exerts neuroprotection. To identify the most frequently used experimental models and methodologies (ranging from in silico to in vivo assays). To evaluate the knowledge gaps that prevent the clinical validation of this compound in human pathologies. Expected Outcomes This project is expected to culminate in a comprehensive synthesis that provides a mapping of the alkaloid's therapeutic targets, validates its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, and serves as a scientific foundation for future clinical trials. The final output will serve as a reference tool for researchers in neuroscience and natural product pharmacology, precisely identifying which mechanisms (such as Nrf2/HO-1 or NF-κB) are the most promising for the treatment of dementias and other neurological disorders.