Ferroptosis role in complexity of cell death: unrevealing mechanisms in Parkinson's disease and therapeutic approaches.

Parkinson's disease (PD), a common neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons, and accumulation of α-synuclein in the substantial nigra. Emerging evidence identifies ferroptosis as a regulated iron-dependent cell death mechanism marked by excessive lipid peroxidation (LPO) as a key contributor to PD pathogenesis. Ferroptosis is intertwined with critical disease processes such as aggregation of α-synuclein protein, oxidative stress generation, mitochondrial alteration, iron homeostasis dysregulation, and neuroinflammation. This mechanism disrupts cellular homeostasis by impairing iron metabolism and antioxidant pathways like the xc-/glutathione/GPX4 axis and the CoQ10 pathway. This review consolidates current advancements in understanding ferroptosis in these mechanisms, increasing interest in contribution to PD pathology. In addition, it explores the latest developments in ferroptosis-targeting pharmacological agents, including their application in the preclinical and clinical study, and highlights their potential to revolutionize PD management. Unraveling the interplay between ferroptosis and PD offers a transformative perspective, paving the way for innovative therapies to combat this debilitating disease condition.