Medicinal Plants in the Preclinical Evidence of Parkinson’s Disease: A Comprehensive Review
Khushbu Verma, Mayank Kulshreshtha, Bhupendra Chauhan, Ranjit SinghIntroduction/Objective:
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a condition caused by an imbalance between neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and dopamine, along with degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta of the brain, which results in decreased dopamine and increased acetylcholine levels. It is characterized by tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, postural instability, and a variety of other motor and nonmotor symptoms. This article reviews the basic aspects of medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds that could be used to treat PD.
Methods:
This review focussed on the possible use of natural plants in the development of herbal treatments. Data were obtained using Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, ResearchGate, Nature, Elsevier, Frontiers, and Web of Science. The search methodology included the terms “Parkinson’s” and “herbal plants”. A total of 68 plants from 39 families were identified, and detailed information of each plant family, including the utilized plant part, chemical composition, extract, and strain, were extracted. Articles indexed in databases such as ISI, SID, PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, and Web of Science were used reliably. A total of 12 herbal extracts with different plant-derived active ingredients were included.
Results:
The Solanaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, and Asteraceae families showed greater potential for treating PD. Although some herbal extracts (ethanol, methanol, aqueous, chloroform, and hydroalcoholic) and certain active ingredients (berberine and curcumin) have shown positive effects in animal models of PD, additional studies should investigate potential active ingredients and their mechanisms of action.
Discussion:
Despite the wide variety of plants in the world, few have been studied for anti- Parkinsonian activity; therefore, this field offers many avenues for future studies on plants and their bioactive compounds.
Conclusion:
This review may open new doors for upcoming researchers.