Chapter Four - Insights into the neuroprotective strategies to alleviate neurodegenerative conditions: Role of Ayurvedic herbs and their bioactives

Abstract

Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine from India has been used to treat variety of neurological disorders. A number of medicinal plants have been used in Ayurveda medicine because of their nootropic and neuroprotective properties. Some of the medicinal plants mentioned in the ayurvedic text against various neurodegenerative disorders are Withania somnifera, Tinospora cordifolia, Centella asiatica, and Bacopa monnieri. Although, the beneficial effects of these medicinal plants on neurological conditions have been known for centuries but the mechanisms involved in their beneficial effects are being unraveled from studies involving experimental models. Many targets and mechanisms have been identified to understand the neuroprotective/beneficial effects of phytochemicals or bioactives present in the medicinal plants. The studies reveal that the phytoconstituents in these plants have pleiotropic properties that include antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antiapoptotic, neurotransmitter modulation, nootropic and neurotrophic activities. This chapter reviews the role of some of the ayurvedic medical plants in ameliorating neurological conditions and highlights biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved in their therapeutic actions.