Plant-Based Therapies to Ameliorate Neuroinflammation in Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, and Epilepsy: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and epilepsy. Several key inflammatory pathways are pivotal in the development of neuroinflammation in PD, AD, and epilepsy. The NF-κB pathway is a central regulator of inflammation, and its chronic activation triggers the transcription of genes that drive inflammatory responses. JAK-STAT signaling system triggers the production of cytokines and chemokines that generate neuroinflammation; mitogen-activated protein kinases mediate the p38 pathway and control the synthesis of cytokines. Activation of the NO signaling pathway causes oxidative stress and neuronal damage. Plant-based therapeutics are gaining attention due to their anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective phytochemicals, which shield the neurons from damage. Some of the examples are curcumin, resveratrol, ginsenosides, cannabidiol, notoginseng, quercetin, and so on. Clinical studies also indicate that certain plant-based formulations like Wei Li Bai, IPX066, Bushen huoxue, and so on can be effective alternatives to presently available remedies. The review is an attempt at assimilating the information from available literature on the role of different neurotransmitters involved in neuroinflammation and their connection in AD, PD, and epilepsy and applications of plant-based therapies in the prevention and cure of the above-mentioned diseases.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Parkinson's disease; cannabinoids; epilepsy; neuroinflammation.