Neurodegenerative Disease: Prevention and Treatment Through Plant Extracts Therapy

Abstract

<div>Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s</div><div>etc. have their root in damaged nerve cells followed by the loss of their functions.</div><div>Though the exact reason for different neurodegenerative diseases is still unknown,</div><div>degradation and accumulation of proteins in neurons, oxidative stress, inflammation,</div><div>defects in mitochondria, genetic mutation etc., are said to be the general factors that</div><div>leads to this disease. The old ages are the worst affected group due to the rise in human</div><div>life expectancies. Although there is no complete cure for this disease, some drug</div><div>treatments have been found to be useful for reducing few of the physical or mental</div><div>symptoms associated with neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, most neurodegenerative</div><div>disorders show multiple symptoms;a promising result can be achieved only through the</div><div>combination of different compounds like natural plant extracts which have many</div><div>disease targets. Antioxidants are proven to have the capacity to act against the</div><div>oxidative stress developed in the cells. So, antioxidant rich plant extracts can be</div><div>utilized for the treatment of neurological related disorders. Several studies are being</div><div>carried out on the effect of various plant extracts on the neurodegenerative disease</div><div>prevention, management as well as treatment. This chapter will discuss the in vitro, in</div><div>vivo and clinical studies conducted on the effect of various plant extracts for the</div><div>treatment and prevention of different neurodegenerative disease conditions.</div>