Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41720188›Full record

SynthesisThe Journal of nutrition2026

Unraveling Riboflavin-Mediated Mitochondrial Modulation as a Therapeutic Pathway in Neurological Disorders: An Integrative Systematic Review.

Eulália Rebeca Silva-Araújo, Ana Elisa Toscano, Henrique José Cavalcanti Bezerra Gouveia, Paula Brielle Pontes, Joaci Pereira Dos Santos-Júnior, Osmar Henrique Dos Santos-Júnior, Maria Daniele Teixeira Beltrão de Lemos, Nathalia Caroline de Oliveira Melo, Janaina Viana de Melo, Eduardo Padrón-Hernández and 1 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in The Journal of nutrition, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Eulália Rebeca Silva-AraújoGraduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil; Studies in Nutrition and Phenotypic Plasticity Unit, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil; Laboratory of Mesomagnetics, Center for Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil.
Ana Elisa ToscanoGraduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil; Studies in Nutrition and Phenotypic Plasticity Unit, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil; Graduate Program in Nutrition, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil; Nursing Unit, Vitória Academic Center, Federal University of Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão-Pernambuco, Brazil.
Henrique José Cavalcanti Bezerra GouveiaDepartment of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G8Z 4M3, Canada. Electronic address: henrique.jose.cavalcanti.bezerra.gouveia@uqtr.ca.
Paula Brielle PontesGraduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil; Studies in Nutrition and Phenotypic Plasticity Unit, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil.
Joaci Pereira Dos Santos-JúniorStudies in Nutrition and Phenotypic Plasticity Unit, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil; Graduate Program in Nutrition, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil.
Osmar Henrique Dos Santos-JúniorGraduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil; Studies in Nutrition and Phenotypic Plasticity Unit, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil.
Maria Daniele Teixeira Beltrão de LemosGraduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil; Studies in Nutrition and Phenotypic Plasticity Unit, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil.
Nathalia Caroline de Oliveira MeloStudies in Nutrition and Phenotypic Plasticity Unit, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil; Graduate Program in Nutrition, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil.
Janaina Viana de MeloESUDA University, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil.
Eduardo Padrón-HernándezGraduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil; Laboratory of Mesomagnetics, Center for Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil; Department of Physics, Center for Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil.
Raul Manhães-de-CastroGraduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil; Studies in Nutrition and Phenotypic Plasticity Unit, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil; Graduate Program in Nutrition, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Mitochondrial dysfunction is recognized as a key pathophysiological mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases. Alterations in mitochondrial dynamics-including imbalances in fission and fusion, impaired biogenesis, and disrupted mitophagy-contribute to the onset and progression of neurological disorders. In this context, mitochondrial modulation has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. This systematic review examined the role of riboflavin, a water-soluble vitamin and essential mitochondrial cofactor, in neurological interventions through mitochondrial modulation, with emphasis on elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms. A search of the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases identified 23 eligible studies, comprising 6 in vitro experiments, 10 rodent models, and 7 clinical trials. These studies evaluated the effects of riboflavin in monogenic, neurodegenerative, and demyelinating mitochondrial diseases, cerebrovascular/hypoxic injury, and pain/migraine. Clinical evidence indicated that riboflavin may regulate oxidative stress in stroke and perinatal asphyxia, with associated functional improvements. Preclinical findings revealed mechanisms of action involving energy homeostasis, cell cycle regulation, and mitochondrial dynamics across monogenic mitochondrial disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, hypoxic injury, and models of pain and migraine. Possibly through mitochondrial modulation, riboflavin appeared to reduce α-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson's disease, increase the number of tyrosine-hydroxylase-positive neurons in Alzheimer's disease models, enhance neuronal survival in Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere and Huntington's disease models, and normalize neuronal excitability in ataxia and migraine. In contrast, no therapeutic effects were observed in demyelinating diseases. Overall, the findings suggest that riboflavin may promote neuroprotection through redox modulation and gene regulation, stabilization of membrane potential, and enhanced mitochondrial complex activity via flavin cofactors, ultimately supporting neuronal metabolism and functional outcomes. Despite advances in mechanistic understanding, clinical applications in humans remain insufficiently defined for most conditions, with clearer dosage regimens currently established only for stroke and migraine.

Indexed as

MitochondriaNervous System DiseasesRiboflavinAnimalsHumansMitochondrial DiseasesNeurodegenerative DiseasesOxidative StressRiboflavinbraindegenerative diseasesmitochondriamitochondrial biogenesisvitamin B2

Identifiers

PMID41720188
PMCPMC13494156

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.