Awareness and current knowledge of epilepsy.

Researchers reviewed various herbs for their antiepileptic properties and found that medicinal plants have been used to treat epilepsy for centuries. They conducted an extensive search of peer-reviewed articles, textbooks, and scientific databases, identifying herbs such as Cuminum cyminum, Butea monosperma, and Solanum americanum as potential agents for treating epilepsy. The study suggests that further experimental studies are needed to identify novel active compounds in these plants and clarify their mechanisms of action. This research provides a solid base for future investigation of the clinical efficacy of traditional antiepileptic agents and the potential for developing new antiepileptic drugs.

Khan AU et al (2020).

Metab Brain Dis.

DOI:

10.1007/s11011-019-00494-1

PubMed:

31605258

Trans-Himalayan Phytococktail Confers Protection Against Hypobaric Hypoxia-Induced Hippocampal Neurodegeneration and Memory Impairment in Male Sprague Dawley Rats.

Dhar P et al (2019).

High Alt Med Biol.

DOI:

10.1089/ham.2019.0011

PubMed:

31550185

Metabolomics coupled with SystemsDock reveal the protective effect and the potential active components of Naozhenning granule against traumatic brain injury.

Researchers conducted a study on Naozhenning granule (NZN), a traditional Chinese medicine used in the treatment of brain injuries. The medicine consists of ten natural ingredients. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NZN in treating concussion and post-traumatic syndrome. The results revealed that NZN showed significant improvement in treating the symptoms of brain injuries and was safe to use. The study highlights the potential therapeutic benefits of using traditional Chinese medicine in treating brain injuries.

Cao J et al (2020).

J Ethnopharmacol.

DOI:

10.1016/j.jep.2019.112247

PubMed:

31542470

Effects of Picrasma quassioides and its active constituents on Alzheimer's disease in vitro and in vivo.

Researchers have discovered potential neuroprotective properties in Picrasma quassioides, a Chinese traditional medicine used for treating inflammation, fever, microbial infection, and dysentery. The extract from the stems was found to improve memory and cognitive abilities in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice and suppress neuroinflammation and reduce Aβ deposition. A systematic phytochemistry study led to the identification of six β-carboline alkaloids, seven canthin-6-one alkaloids, and five quassinoids, of which four β-carbolines and six canthin-6-ones exhibited potential neuroprotective activities in vitro. Compounds 2 and 3 exhibited high affinity for both DYPKIA and BuChE through molecular docking experiments. These findings suggest the potential of Picrasma quassioides in developing AD treatments.

Guo E et al (2019).

Bioorg Chem.

DOI:

10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103258

PubMed:

31520892

Neuroprotective and Antioxidant Effect of Ginkgo biloba Extract Against AD and Other Neurological Disorders.

This abstract discusses the potential use of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD). GBE is a popular herbal remedy taken by elderly people to improve memory and cognitive function. However, its effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of dementia is controversial. The review summarizes recent advancements on the study of the antioxidant properties of GBE in the prevention of AD, including its potential use in patients who are already undergoing conventional anti-dementia treatments. Understanding the mechanisms of action of GBE against AD will help to design therapeutic strategies and gain a better understanding of the underlying neurodegenerative processes.

Singh SK et al (2019).

Neurotherapeutics.

DOI:

10.1007/s13311-019-00767-8

PubMed:

31376068

Calotropis procera attenuates chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression in experimental animals.

Garabadu D, Srivastava N and Murti Y (2019).

Metab Brain Dis.

DOI:

10.1007/s11011-019-00471-8

PubMed:

31346860

Protective Effects of Crude Plant Extracts against Aminochrome-induced toxicity in Human Astrocytoma Cells: Implications for Parkinson's Disease.

The compound aminochrome can cause brain damage and a Parkinson's-like condition. The enzyme GSTM2 in brain cells can protect against aminochrome, but sometimes the protection is not strong enough. Some medicines made from plants may also protect against aminochrome damage.

Ngoungoure VLN et al (2019).

Clin Pharmacol Transl Med.

PubMed:

31321384

Comprehensive Chemical Profiling and Multidirectional Biological Investigation of Two Wild Anthemis Species (Anthemis tinctoria var. Pallida and A. cretica subsp. tenuiloba): Focus on Neuroprotective Effects.

Researchers investigated different extracts of a plant for their antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory effects. All extracts showed antiradical effects, with methanol and aqueous extracts being the best sources of antioxidants. Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts were potent against enzymes that are targets for Alzheimer's disease. The extracts were also studied in an in vitro neurotoxicity paradigm, which showed that the water extract of one of the subspecies of the plant had a neuroprotective effect. The water extract was able to prevent an increase in certain biomarkers associated with brain damage and to restore the activity of certain proteins that are important for neuron function. These findings suggest that extracts from this plant may have a therapeutic role in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Orlando G et al (2019).

Molecules.

DOI:

10.3390/molecules24142582

PubMed:

31315236