article · Discover Applied Sciences
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder linked to ageing, causing memory loss, behavioural changes, and cognitive decline. Because existing treatments offer limited effectiveness and no cure exists, developing interventions to slow or prevent disease progression is critical. Traditional Ayurvedic medicinal plants represent a promising source for drug discovery, with multiple plant-derived compounds currently undergoing clinical trials. Chemical investigations of these plants have revealed a broad variety of bioactive substances, including flavonoids, lignans, tannins, polyphenols, triterpenes, sterols, and alkaloids. Although the exact mechanisms of action are not yet fully understood, these compounds demonstrate valuable pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-amyloidogenic, anticholinesterase, and hypolipidemic actions. Utilising traditional botanical knowledge offers pathways to discover novel therapeutic agents capable of tackling the growing challenges associated with neurodegenerative disorders.
Alzheimer's disease creates a severe health burden worldwide as populations age, yet medical science still lacks a cure. By evaluating traditional herbal systems such as Ayurveda, scientists can uncover bioactive molecules with multiple protective actions in the brain. This approach provides fresh avenues for developing treatments that could eventually slow cognitive decline and improve the quality of life for affected individuals.
This work points towards pharmaceutical discovery applications, specifically the development of natural-product-derived neuroprotective therapeutics. Pharmaceutical developers and drug discovery programmes could leverage these identified phytochemical classes to formulate new treatments for cognitive disorders. While several plant-derived compounds are currently in clinical trials, the research as a whole remains at an exploratory to mid-stage drug development level because precise biological mechanisms are still being established.
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Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily associated with aging. This devastating condition is characterized by significant memory loss, abnormal behavior, personality shifts, and a decline in cognitive function. Despite extensive research, no cure for Alzheimer’s disease currently exists, and available treatment options have shown limited effectiveness. Developing therapeutic interventions to slow down or prevent the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease is crucial to address the growing burden of this condition. Ayurvedic medicinal herbs have emerged as a promising avenue for drug research, with numerous compounds derived from these herbs currently undergoing clinical trials. Scientific studies have explored the potential application of various Ayurvedic medicinal plants and their derivatives in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Although the precise mechanisms of action remain largely unknown, extensive phytochemical investigations have identified a wide range of beneficial compounds within these plants. These compounds include lignans, flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, triterpenes, sterols, and alkaloids, each exhibiting diverse pharmacological activities. These activities encompass anti-inflammatory, anti-amyloidogenic, anticholinesterase, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant effects. This review highlights the phytochemistry and ethnomedicinal applications of various plants, along with their bioactive compounds. It underscores the potential of Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems, in identifying effective therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. The promising pharmacological activities of Ayurvedic medicinal herbs and their constituents suggest their potential as novel treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. These findings offer hope for addressing the challenges posed by this debilitating condition. Graphical Abstract
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DOI: 10.1007/s42452-024-05811-7
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