A method is provided for therapeutic use of a class of compounds that are effective in protecting nerve cells from deterioration and cell death arising from degenerative disease, trauma or aging and may be used to achieve a similar effect in male and female subjects with minimal adverse side effects. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective dose of a natural or synthetic bioflavonoid that acts as an MAPK cascade antagonist. Examples of bioflavonoids that may be used in the present method are apigenin and 2-(2'-amino-3' methoxyphenyl)-oxanaphthalen-4-one (PD098059).
Neuroprotective effects of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade inhibitors