Plant Bioactive Chemicals With Antiepileptic Properties and Their Promising Mechanisms-A Systematic Review

Background: Epilepsy is a major nervous illness impacting about 1% of the worldwide population, with a considerable percentage of cases resistant to standard antiepileptic medications. Current pharmacological therapies demonstrate limitations, like exorbitant costs, significant adverse effects, and diminished patient compliance. As a result, bioactive chemicals derived from plants are gaining interest for their potential antiepileptic effects, providing economical and safer alternatives. Objectives: This comprehensive review aimed to analyze the antiepileptic potency of phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, glycosides, and terpenoids, by examining their mechanisms of action, effectiveness, and therapeutic potential. Materials & Methods: A comprehensive examination was conducted in online databases, like Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, Frontiers, and MDPI, utilizing keywords, such as epilepsy, antiepileptic phytochemicals, and seizure causes. Studies relevant to the topic, published from 2014 to 2024, were chosen according to established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data extraction focused on study specifics, experimental frameworks, bioactive substances, and results related to seizure mitigation and neuroprotection. Results: A total of 1,579 studies were obtained, with 135 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. The review identified many phytochemicals exhibiting antiepileptic effects via mechanisms, including GABAergic modulation, ion channel regulation, neurotransmitter equilibrium, immune response modulation, and oxidative stress mitigation. Experimental investigations showed the effectiveness of plant-based phytochemical/bioactive compounds in reducing seizures via GABAergic neurotransmission, antioxidant activity, and other pathways. Conclusion: Phytochemicals demonstrate significant antiepileptic potential via many pathways. Additional clinical trials and mechanistic research are necessary to confirm their therapeutic effectiveness and possible incorporation into epilepsy treatment.