Implications for the role of natural products in Parkinson disease therapy

Humans still suffer from several nervous system diseases affecting perception and body movement, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Parkinson's disease is a globally common disease of the nervous system that is characterized by neurodegenerative movement disorders. Patients with Parkinson's disease are characterized by the slow loss of dopaminergic (DA-ergic) neurons, especially in areas of brain tissue called the substantia nigra pars compacta. However, there is still no clear evidence regarding the factors responsible for development of the disease, which remains vague. There are some indications that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are among the main causes of the disease. Parkinson's patients are still dependent on taking levodopa as the recommended therapeutic drug. This drug, although it has many side effects, slows down the progression of the disease. Therefore, many scientists and pharmacologists are striving to find a potential drug that can halt the disease while minimizing side effects. Research is underway to find effective natural substances against Parkinson's disease that can renew the vitality of mitochondria and activate their function, as well as diminish the oxidation process in the nerve cells. Therefore, the aim of this review was to highlight the potential role of some natural products from plant sources, such as natural medicinal herbs or marine sources, in protecting neurons and improving their biological functions in order to develop new therapeutic strategies against Parkinson's disease.