Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS), which are a consequence of the progressive loss of neuronal function and structure, cause significant cognitive impairment. The incidence of these diseases in the world’s population is constantly increasing as a result of an aging population. Although genetic and environmental factors are most often mentioned as the pathogenetic factors of these diseases, increasing evidence points to the important role of proper nutrition in the prevention and support of the treatment of these disorders. A healthy, balanced diet can mitigate the risks associated with the risk factors mentioned above and slow the progression of the disease by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Vitamins B, D, E, C, K, and A have been shown to support cognitive functions and protect the nervous system. This review demonstrates the importance of vitamins in preventing and supporting the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. Information regarding the health-promoting properties of these vitamins must be effectively communicated to consumers seeking to protect their health, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. Consequently, this review also examines the authorized health claims under EU food law related to these vitamins, assessing their role in promoting awareness of the vitamins’ potential benefits for neuroprotection and the management of neurodegenerative diseases.

Organic biostimulators support wheat growth in unfavorable conditions; however, to date, multifactorial assessments of their role in the plant–pesticide–pathogen system have been poorly investigated. The goal of this study was to evaluate the changes in the metabolite profile (protein, carbohydrate, phenolic compounds, acid phosphatases, and amino acids) and the antioxidant potential (antioxidant enzymes) of wheat that is infested with F. culmorum and exposed to humic acids, nitrophenols, and six pesticides. Additionally, the concentration of the mycotoxins in the wheat grain and the dissipation time of the six pesticides in the wheat plants were determined. In this multifactorial experiment, we explored differentiated activities of humic acids and nitrophenols in wheat metabolism during fungal pathogenesis and pesticide protection. Nitrophenols decreased oxidative stress through induced catalase activity. In contrast, humic acids contributed to the highest enhancement of the total level of carbohydrates (27%) in the inoculated wheat. Both biostimulators reduced the mycotoxin concentration (DON, 3-AcDON, 15-AcDON, NIV) by 32% and nitrophenols increased the concentration of amino acids (13%). Unexpectedly, humic acids and nitrophenols shortened the degradation time (DT₅₀) of spiroxamine by up to 60% in inoculated wheat. The overall results of this study provide novel information on the changes in wheat metabolites, antioxidant defense, and pesticide dissipation in the pesticide–biostimulator–pathogen system.

Main conclusion: Botrytis cinerea and fungicides interacted and influenced selected biochemical compounds. DPPH and glutathione are the first line of defence against biotic/abiotic stress. Plant metabolites are correlated with fungicides level during dissipation. Botrytis cinerea is an etiological agent of gray mould in leafy vegetables and is combated by fungicides. Fluazinam and azoxystrobin are commonly used fungicides, which inhibit oxidative phosphorylation in fungi. In this study, lettuce was (i) inoculated with B. cinerea; (ii) sprayed with azoxystrobin or fluazinam; (iii) inoculated with B. cinerea and sprayed with fungicides. This investigation confirmed that B. cinerea and fungicides affected lettuce’s biochemistry and stress status. B. cinerea influenced the behaviour of fungicides reflected by shortened dissipation of azoxystrobin compared to non-inoculated plants, while prolonged degradation of fluazinam. Stress caused by B. cinerea combined with fungicides reduced level of chlorophylls (53.46%) and carotenoids (75.42%), whereas increased phenolic compounds (81%), ascorbate concentrations (32.4%), and catalase activity (116.1%). Abiotic stress caused by fungicides contributed most to the induction of carotenoids (107.68 µg g⁻¹ on dissipation day 3⁻¹). Diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and glutathione concentration peaked from the first hour of fungicides dissipation. For the first time correlation between the status of plant metabolites and fungicides during their dissipation was observed. These results indicate that non-enzymatic antioxidants could be the first-line compounds against stress factors, whereas ascorbate and antioxidant enzymes tend to mitigate stress only secondarily. The findings of this study help better understand plant biochemistry under biotic/abiotic stress conditions.