Indian medicinal plants as neuroprotective agents in Parkinson’s disease: Bridging tradition and therapeutics

• PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by dopamine neuron degeneration, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and α-synuclein aggregation. • Current PD treatments, such as Levodopa and dopamine agonists, primarily offer symptomatic relief but fail to halt disease progression. • Traditional Indian medicinal plants exhibit neuroprotective properties, targeting oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurotransmitter modulation. • Bioactive compounds from Camellia sinensis (green tea) and Berberis vulgaris prevent α-synuclein aggregation, a hallmark of PD. • Tinospora cordifolia and Bacopa monnieri enhance mitochondrial function, reducing oxidative stress and promoting neuronal survival. • Plants like Ginkgo biloba and Centella asiatica upregulate BDNF, promoting neuronal survival and plasticity. • Bioactive compounds from Scutellaria baicalensis (baicalein) and Quercetin show promise in developing novel neuroprotective PD therapies. • Integrating Indian medicinal plants into PD management offers a promising complementary approach for disease-modifying treatments. Parkinson’s disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, remains a significant challenge due to its complex etiology and lack of curative treatment. Conventional therapies, primarily dopamine replacement strategies, provide symptomatic relief but fail to modify disease progression. Emerging research highlights the potential of Indian medicinal plants in mitigating PD pathogenesis by targeting oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, neurotransmitter imbalances, and protein aggregation. This review explores 27 Indian medicinal plants, including Centella asiatica, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Piper nigrum, and Azadirachta indica , among others, emphasizing their neuroprotective mechanisms. These plants exhibit potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, modulate neurotransmitter pathways, enhance mitochondrial function, and inhibit α-synuclein aggregation. Notably, Elaeocarpus floribundus and Hyoscyamus niger inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO), increasing dopamine availability, while Boswellia serrata and Silybum marianum suppress neuroinflammation. Several plants, including Nigella sativa, Piper nigrum, and Centella asiatica, have demonstrated the ability to modulate oxidative stress and α-synuclein pathology, which are key contributors to PD progression. Despite extensive preclinical evidence supporting the efficacy of these botanicals, clinical translation remains limited due to challenges in standardization, bioavailability, and regulatory validation. This review underscores the need for rigorous pharmacokinetic studies, novel formulation strategies, and well-structured clinical trials to harness the full therapeutic potential of these plant-based interventions. Integrating traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with modern pharmacological advancements may open new avenues for disease-modifying therapies, offering hope for improved patient outcomes in Parkinson’s disease management.