Phytochemicals and Neuroprotection in Neurological Disorders: Mechanisms, Preclinical Evidence and Challenges

Abstract

Neurodegenerative or neurological diseases (NDs) are conditions that lead to progressive loss of normal nerve function. These conditions affect the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system, often presenting symptoms like impaired cognition, movement disorders and sensory disturbances along with possible cardiovascular complications. This paper summarises neurodegenerative diseases and explores the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants, drawing on evidence from preclinical and clinical trials. Neurological diseases are driven by a complex interplay of oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, protein misfolding and chronic neuroinflammation. Medicinal plants contain various bioactive compounds that are attributed to treating various neurological ailments. These plants hold a central place in traditional medicine. Acorus calamus, Centella asiatica, Curcuma longa, and Withania somnifera are some of the medicinal plants that are used in treating neurological diseases. Despite advances in synthetic drugs, the presence of natural compounds in medicinal plants poses a great potential for therapy and treating various neurodegenerative disorders. Studies pertaining to medicinal plants therapeutics are generally small, short-term and methodologically heterogeneous, with variations in plant species, extracts and dosages. Moreover, safety profiles, drug interactions and mechanistic data in humans are largely under-investigated, restricting their clinical applicability.