The rapeutic impact of alkaloids in neurological diseases: A promising key molecule

Abstract

Neurological disease is a disorder of the nervous system. It may be associated with the central nervous system or peripheral nervous system. Neurological problems are disorders of specific neurons or loss of neurons with their structural or functional impairment. The specific reason for neurological diseases may be genetic defects, congenital disorders, infections, and environmental health issues. No doubt, there are various well-known synthetic medications are available for the treatment of neurological disorders but they exert many toxicities and ADRs (Adverse Drug Reactions). The identification of compelling and promising molecules may provide a miracle if they can halt the development of neurodegenerative diseases. So, drugs from plant origin are required to be discovered to replace these chemically synthesized drugs as the safety profile of these natural phytoconstituents is wider enough even at their higher doses. This article reviews the therapeutic potential of plant-derived medicines, which possess potential therapeutic effects against various neurological diseases such as Epilepsy, Huntington’s disease (HD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Multiple sclerosis (MS), Depression, and Anxiety. Herbs used in these diseases are matrine, physostigmine, caffeine, morphine, berberine, galantamine, piperine, and other alkaloids. These alkaloids act positively by several mechanisms like dopaminergic and nicotine agonist, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor, NMDA antagonist, inhibitors of α-synuclein aggregation, anti-oxidant, MAO inhibitors, and anti- amyloid agents to ameliorate pathophysiology of neurological diseases. Dur to their therapeutic impact they are now available in market but opportunities exist to overcome technological challenges.

Keywords

• neurological diseases
• plant-derived alkaloids
• phytoconstituents
• neuroprotection