Title:Potential of Medicinal Plants as Neuroprotective and Therapeutic Properties Against Amyloid-β-Related Toxicity, and Glutamate-Induced Excitotoxicity in Human Neural Cells
Volume: 19
Issue: 9
Author(s): Devina Lobine, Nabeelah Sadeer, Sharmeen Jugreet, Shanoo Suroowan, Bibi Sumera Keenoo, Muhammad Imran, Katharigatta N. Venugopala, Faten Mohamed Ibrahim, Gokhan Zengin and Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally*
Affiliation:
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Mauritius, Reduit,Mauritius
Keywords:
Alzheimer's disease, beta-amyloid, Parkinson disease, glutamate excitotoxicity, plant derived-compounds,
neurodegenerative diseases (NDS).
Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are notorious neurodegenerative
diseases amongst the general population. Being age-associated diseases, the prevalence of AD and
PD is forecasted to rapidly escalate with the progressive aging population of the world. These diseases
are complex and multifactorial. Among different events, amyloid β peptide (Aβ) induced
toxicity is a well‐established pathway of neuronal cell death, which plays a vital function in AD.
Glutamate, the major excitatory transmitter, acts as a neurotoxin when present in excess at the synapses;
this latter mechanism is termed excitotoxicity. It is hypothesised that glutamate-induced excitotoxicity
contributes to the pathogenesis of AD and PD. No cure for AD and PD is currently available
and the currently approved drugs available to treat these diseases have limited effectiveness
and pose adverse effects. Indeed, plants have been a major source for the discovery of novel
pharmacologically active compounds for distinct pathological conditions. Diverse plant species
employed for brain-related disorders in traditional medicine are being explored to determine the
scientific rationale behind their uses. Herein, we present a comprehensive review of plants and their
constituents that have shown promise in reversing the (i) amyloid-β -related toxicity in AD models
and (ii) glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in AD and PD models. This review summarizes information
regarding the phytochemistry, biological and cellular activities, and clinical trials of several
plant species in view to provide adequate scientific baseline information that could be used in the
drug development process, thereby providing effective leads for AD and PD.