Management of Neurodegenerative Diseases using Medicinal Plants – A Review

Abstract

Neurodegeneration corresponds to any pathological condition primarily affecting neurons and resulting in their death. Neurodegenerative diseases affect specific subsets of neurons in specific functional anatomic systems. Apart from neuronal dysfunction and death, neurodegenerative diseases are associated with fundamental processes such as oxidative stress and excitotoxicity. There are various neurodegenerative diseases, amongst them around one billion world’s population suffers from Alzheimer Disease, Parkinson Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and hence these are the most observed disorders. Though pharmacological drugs are used in the treatment of these diseases, these drugs are associated with mild to severe side effects and are expensive as well. Plants possess therapeutic properties which exert beneficial pharmacological effect on humans. In ancient times, people were totally dependent on green plants for the treatment. Each medicinal plant consists of several important components playing a vital role in treating or preventing various kinds of diseases. There are herbs which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, this review summarizes information about the applications of various plants and their therapeutic properties that could be used in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.