Herbal Strategies in The Management of Alzheimer's Disease: Insights into Pathophysiology and Future Direction

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) stands as the predominant form of dementia and the most widespread neurodegenerative disorder, marked by progressive impairment in memory and cognition that disrupts daily functioning. Projections indicate a sharp increase in global cases, from 26.6 million in 2006 to an estimated 106.8 million by 2050. In 2010, the worldwide economic burden of dementia reached approximately USD 604 billion, representing about 1% of the global GDP. This review explores the underlying pathophysiology and therapeutic strategies associated with AD. Literature was sourced from databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The progression of AD involves significant neuronal and synaptic degeneration across specific brain regions, contributing to diverse clinical manifestations. Major pathogenic mechanisms include cholinergic system dysfunction, amyloid-beta and tau protein toxicity, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial abnormalities. While conventional pharmacological therapies and biomarkers are available, growing attention is being given to herbal formulations, plant-derived secondary metabolites, and non-pharmacological treatments. These natural approaches hold considerable promise in managing AD, although further research is required to fully elucidate their mechanisms of action.