Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's
disease, Huntington's disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are the major cause of
disability and mortality. These disorders are appearing in the current era due to aging
and stress-full lifestyles. For the treatments of these disorders, several conventional
drugs are available but due to higher cost and dangerous adverse effects. Therefore,
scientists are focusing more on medicinal herbs containing phytochemicals because
these medicinal herbs are more effective, low cost, and show less harmful side effects
to cure neurodegenerative disorders. Indian medicinal herbs are the most effective
medicines and indigenous to India. Since ancient times, medicinal herbs have been
used for treating neurodegenerative disorders. Indian medicinal herbs containing
phytochemicals possess beneficial therapeutic effects for the treatment of
neurodegenerative disorders, majorly having various compounds such as alkaloids,
sesquiterpenes, triterpenoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins, and essential oils
which show anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. In this chapter, we
highlighted and discussed the importance of some Indian medicinal herbs, such as
Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi), Centella asiatica, Curcuma longa (turmeric), Allium
sativum (garlic), Terminalia chebula (haritaki), Celastrus paniculatus (Jyotishmati),
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice), and Acorus calamus (Vacha) containing phytochemicals
with their mechanism of action on neurodegenerative disorders.
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, Flavonoids, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, Phytochemicals, Polyphenols.
