title: Plants traditionally used in age-related brain disorders (dementia): an ethanopharmacological survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidemiological studies have shown that despite mortality due to communicable diseases, poverty and human conflicts, the incidence of dementia increases in the developing world in tandem with the ageing population. Although some FDA approved drugs are available for the treatment of dementia, the outcomes are often unsatisfactory. In traditional practices of medicine, numerous plants have been used to treat cognitive disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other memory-related disorders. In western medicine most of the drugs used for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders are derived from plant sources.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article reviews plants and their active constituents that have been used for their reputed cognitive-enhancing and antidementia effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature survey in Science Direct, Pubmed, and Google Scholar was performed to gather information regarding drug discovery from plants sources for the treatment of congnitive disorders and dementia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than forty herbal remedies were identified with cholinesterase inhibitory, anti-inflammatory, or antioxidant activities. Bioactive compounds include alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, terpenoids, and essential oils. About eleven herbal plants with multipotent activity against AD are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Literature surveys show that most of the research has been conducted on herbal remedies effect on cholinesterase inhibitory and antioxidant activities. Studies regarding the effect of herbal drugs on β-secretase inhibitory activity and antiaggregation property are lacking. This review provides leads for identifying potential new drugs from plant sources for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
authors: Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors: Suganthy
authors: S
authors: Natarajan
authors: Karutha Pandian
authors: KP
authors: Shunmugiah
authors: Pandima Devi
authors: PD
authors: Kasi
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations