Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulations in Reducing Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease among older people. AD can cause memory loss and neuropsychiatric abnormalities. AD pathogenesis is complicated. Oxidative stress and chronic neuroinflammation are believed to contribute to the occurrence and progression of AD. Oxidative stress refers to a harmful state of neurons caused by an impaired antioxidant system and abnormal accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain of a patient with AD. Neuroinflammation often results from a series of harmful responses to neurons induced by the overactivated microglia and astrocytes, such as the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and promotion of neuronal apoptosis. Several studies have demonstrated that inhibition of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation can alleviate AD symptoms, suggesting that they may serve as potential targets for drug development. Herein, we review the mechanism of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Additionally, we have summarized data from preclinical studies published between 2019 and 2024 that investigate traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulations used to treat AD through the modulation of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. We have included information on the extracts, compounds, modified compounds, and novel delivery systems for TCM formulations and summarized the key mechanisms involved in their actions.