title: Plant-Derived Natural Products for Parkinson's Disease Therapy.
abstract: Plant-derived natural products have made their own niche in the treatment of neurological diseases since time immemorial. Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, has no cure and the treatment available currently is symptomatic. This chapter thoughtfully and objectively assesses the scientific basis that supports the increasing use of these plant-derived natural products for the treatment of this chronic and progressive disorder. Proper considerations are made on the chemical nature, sources, preclinical tests and their validity, and mechanisms of behavioural or biochemical recovery observed following treatment with various plants derived natural products relevant to PD therapy. The scientific basis underlying the neuroprotective effect of 6 Ayurvedic herbs/formulations, 12 Chinese medicinal herbs/formulations, 33 other plants, and 5 plant-derived molecules have been judiciously examined emphasizing behavioral, cellular, or biochemical aspects of neuroprotection observed in the cellular or animal models of the disease. The molecular mechanisms triggered by these natural products to promote cell survivability and to reduce the risk of cellular degeneration have also been brought to light in this study. The study helped to reveal certain limitations in the scenario: lack of preclinical studies in all cases barring two; heavy dependence on in vitro test systems; singular animal or cellular model to establish any therapeutic potential of drugs. This strongly warrants further studies so as to reproduce and confirm these reported effects. However, the current literature offers scientific credence to traditionally used plant-derived natural products for the treatment of PD.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cell Biology & Physiology, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR, Govt of India), 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700 032, India.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sengupta
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR, Govt of India), 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata, 700 032, India.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vinayagam
authors.affiliation: Division of Cell Biology & Physiology, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR, Govt of India), 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700 032, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR, Govt of India), 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata, 700 032, India.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jaisankar
authors.affiliation: Division of Cell Biology & Physiology, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR, Govt of India), 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700 032, India. mohankumar@iicb.res.in.|Inter University Centre for Biomedical Research & Super Specialty Hospital, Mahatma Gandhi University Campus at Thalappady, Rubber Board PO, Kottayam, 686009, Kerala, India. mohankumar@iicb.res.in.
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Mohanakumar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Ayurveda; Behavioral recovery; Striatal dopamine levels; Traditional medicine