Phytochemicals in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Natural Neuroprotectants

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD) pose significant challenges due to their progressive nature and lack of effective treatments. Phytochemicals, bioactive compounds derived from plants, have gained increasing attention for their neuroprotective properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. This review explores the role of key phytochemicals such as curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and ginsenosides in modulating cellular pathways associated with neurodegeneration. Despite their promising therapeutic potential, limitations such as poor bioavailability, low brain penetration, and variations in extract standardization hinder their clinical translation. Advances in nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, improved extraction methods, and targeted clinical trials are crucial for optimizing their efficacy. Integrating phytochemicals with conventional neuroprotective strategies may offer novel, multi-targeted approaches for managing neurodegenerative disorders. Future research should focus on overcoming pharmacokinetic barriers and developing standardized formulations to enhance their therapeutic viability.