Abstract

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs), including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral 
sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease, represent a major global health challenge due to progressive neuronal 
dysfunction and irreversible neurodegeneration. Conventional pharmacologic treatments provide only 
symptomatic relief, with limited capacity to halt disease progression. Historically, plants have been used in 
traditional medicine to treat neurological conditions, and contemporary research has identified a wide array of 
bioactive compounds with neuroprotective potential. Phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, 
terpenes, and saponins exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-amyloidogenic, and cholinesterase-inhibitory 
effects, which may modulate key pathological mechanisms, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, protein 
aggregation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Species such as Ginkgo biloba, Curcuma longa, Bacopa monnieri, 
Panax ginseng, and Withania somnifera have demonstrated neuroprotective activity in preclinical and clinical 
studies. Despite promising evidence, challenges, including extract standardization, bioavailability, and regulatory 
oversight, hinder widespread clinical translation. Future research should focus on sustainable sourcing, 
personalized medicine, integrative therapies, and the discovery of novel phytochemicals to develop safe, effective, 
and accessible neurotherapeutic agents.