Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Neuroinflammation Intervention with Medicinal Plants: A Critical and Narrative Review of the Current Literature
Neuroinflammation is a key factor in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, driven by the dysregulation of molecular pathways and activation of the brain’s immune system, resulting in the release of pro-inflammatory and oxidative molecules. This chronic inflammation is exacerbated by periphe...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Sandra Maria Barbalho Beatriz Leme Boaro Jéssica da Silva Camarinha Oliveira Jiří Patočka Caroline Barbalho Lamas Masaru Tanaka Lucas Fornari Laurindo |
| author_facet | Sandra Maria Barbalho Beatriz Leme Boaro Jéssica da Silva Camarinha Oliveira Jiří Patočka Caroline Barbalho Lamas Masaru Tanaka Lucas Fornari Laurindo |
| author_sort | Sandra Maria Barbalho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Neuroinflammation is a key factor in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, driven by the dysregulation of molecular pathways and activation of the brain’s immune system, resulting in the release of pro-inflammatory and oxidative molecules. This chronic inflammation is exacerbated by peripheral leukocyte infiltration into the central nervous system. Medicinal plants, with their historical use in traditional medicine, have emerged as promising candidates to mitigate neuroinflammation and offer a sustainable alternative for addressing neurodegenerative conditions in a green healthcare framework. This review evaluates the effects of medicinal plants on neuroinflammation, emphasizing their mechanisms of action, effective dosages, and clinical implications, based on a systematic search of databases such as PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. The key findings highlight that plants like <i>Cleistocalyx nervosum</i> var. paniala, <i>Curcuma longa</i>, <i>Cannabis sativa</i>, and <i>Dioscorea nipponica</i> reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β), inhibit enzymes (COX-2 and iNOS), and activate antioxidant pathways, particularly Nrf2. NF-κB emerged as the primary pro-inflammatory pathway inhibited across studies. While the anti-inflammatory potential of these plants is significant, the variability in dosages and phytochemical compositions limits clinical translation. Here, we highlight that medicinal plants are effective modulators of neuroinflammation, underscoring their therapeutic potential. Future research should focus on animal models, standardized protocols, and safety assessments, integrating advanced methodologies, such as genetic studies and nanotechnology, to enhance their applicability in neurodegenerative disease management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dfef32257f714632ae4c370f99aa9d9b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1424-8247 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharmaceuticals |
| spelling | doaj-art-dfef32257f714632ae4c370f99aa9d9b2025-01-24T13:45:31ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-01-0118113310.3390/ph18010133Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Neuroinflammation Intervention with Medicinal Plants: A Critical and Narrative Review of the Current LiteratureSandra Maria Barbalho0Beatriz Leme Boaro1Jéssica da Silva Camarinha Oliveira2Jiří Patočka3Caroline Barbalho Lamas4Masaru Tanaka5Lucas Fornari Laurindo6Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidade de Marília (UNIMAR), Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, BrazilDepartment of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina de Marília (FAMEMA), Marília 17519-030, São Paulo, BrazilDepartment of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina de Marília (FAMEMA), Marília 17519-030, São Paulo, BrazilFaculty of Health and Social Studies, Institute of Radiology, Toxicology and Civil Protection, University of South Bohemia Ceske Budejovice, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech RepublicDepartment of Gerontology, School of Gerontology, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, São Paulo, BrazilDanube Neuroscience Research Laboratory, HUN-REN-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, Hungarian Research Network, University of Szeged (HUN-REN-SZTE), Tisza Lajos Krt. 113, H-6725 Szeged, HungaryDepartment of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidade de Marília (UNIMAR), Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, BrazilNeuroinflammation is a key factor in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, driven by the dysregulation of molecular pathways and activation of the brain’s immune system, resulting in the release of pro-inflammatory and oxidative molecules. This chronic inflammation is exacerbated by peripheral leukocyte infiltration into the central nervous system. Medicinal plants, with their historical use in traditional medicine, have emerged as promising candidates to mitigate neuroinflammation and offer a sustainable alternative for addressing neurodegenerative conditions in a green healthcare framework. This review evaluates the effects of medicinal plants on neuroinflammation, emphasizing their mechanisms of action, effective dosages, and clinical implications, based on a systematic search of databases such as PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. The key findings highlight that plants like <i>Cleistocalyx nervosum</i> var. paniala, <i>Curcuma longa</i>, <i>Cannabis sativa</i>, and <i>Dioscorea nipponica</i> reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β), inhibit enzymes (COX-2 and iNOS), and activate antioxidant pathways, particularly Nrf2. NF-κB emerged as the primary pro-inflammatory pathway inhibited across studies. While the anti-inflammatory potential of these plants is significant, the variability in dosages and phytochemical compositions limits clinical translation. Here, we highlight that medicinal plants are effective modulators of neuroinflammation, underscoring their therapeutic potential. Future research should focus on animal models, standardized protocols, and safety assessments, integrating advanced methodologies, such as genetic studies and nanotechnology, to enhance their applicability in neurodegenerative disease management.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/1/133neuroinflammationneurodegenerative diseasesmedicinal plantsoxidative stressmicroglianuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) |
| spellingShingle | Sandra Maria Barbalho Beatriz Leme Boaro Jéssica da Silva Camarinha Oliveira Jiří Patočka Caroline Barbalho Lamas Masaru Tanaka Lucas Fornari Laurindo Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Neuroinflammation Intervention with Medicinal Plants: A Critical and Narrative Review of the Current Literature Pharmaceuticals neuroinflammation neurodegenerative diseases medicinal plants oxidative stress microglia nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) |
| title | Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Neuroinflammation Intervention with Medicinal Plants: A Critical and Narrative Review of the Current Literature |
| title_full | Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Neuroinflammation Intervention with Medicinal Plants: A Critical and Narrative Review of the Current Literature |
| title_fullStr | Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Neuroinflammation Intervention with Medicinal Plants: A Critical and Narrative Review of the Current Literature |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Neuroinflammation Intervention with Medicinal Plants: A Critical and Narrative Review of the Current Literature |
| title_short | Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Neuroinflammation Intervention with Medicinal Plants: A Critical and Narrative Review of the Current Literature |
| title_sort | molecular mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation intervention with medicinal plants a critical and narrative review of the current literature |
| topic | neuroinflammation neurodegenerative diseases medicinal plants oxidative stress microglia nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/1/133 |
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