title: A Potential Alternative against Neurodegenerative Diseases: Phytodrugs.
abstract: Neurodegenerative diseases (ND) primarily affect the neurons in the human brain secondary to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. ND are more common and have a disproportionate impact on countries with longer life expectancies and represent the fourth highest source of overall disease burden in the high-income countries. A large majority of the medicinal plant compounds, such as polyphenols, alkaloids, and terpenes, have therapeutic properties. Polyphenols are the most common active compounds in herbs and vegetables consumed by man. The biological bioactivity of polyphenols against neurodegeneration is mainly due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiamyloidogenic effects. Multiple scientific studies support the use of herbal medicine in the treatment of ND; however, relevant aspects are still pending to explore such as metabolic analysis, pharmacokinetics, and brain bioavailability.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 06726 México, DF, Mexico; Posgrado en Biología Experimental, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, 09340 México, DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pérez-Hernández
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 06726 México, DF, Mexico; Programa de Becas Posdoctorales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510 México, DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: Víctor Javier
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Zaldívar-Machorro
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 06726 México, DF, Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510 México, DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Villanueva-Porras
authors.affiliation: División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, 09340 México, DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vega-Ávila
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 06726 México, DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: Anahí
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chavarría
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry; D001682:Biological Availability; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010539:Permeability; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D013729:Terpenes