Figure 3.

Simplified and integrated mechanisms of dopamine and its agonist, as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules, in various physiological processes. (1) The binding of dopamine and some agonist drugs with its receptor activates the PI3K/AKT or ERK signaling pathway, resulting in Nrf2 translocation to the nucleus, inducing the expression of HO-1 and antioxidant genes (pink pathway). (2) The activation of AC/PKA inhibits NF-κB, generating a decrease in proinflammatory cytokine expression and the protein complex NLRP3 inflammasome, thus diminishing the apoptotic process (green pathway). (3) Dopamine attenuates the chemoattractant effect of integrins and adhesion molecules. (4) Cabergoline and dopamine inhibited the peroxidation of brain phospholipids and reacted with free radicals. (5) Some drugs showed scavenger capacity and protection against ROS accumulation (cyan box).