Neuroprotective Mechanisms by Phytochemicals in Neurological Disorders

Neurodegenerative disorders are globally recognized as a major cause of death and disability, gaining increasing attention as laboratory research is translated into clinical work. However, the critical issue of non-identified underlying causes of such disorders still persists. For centuries, humans have consumed different parts and formulations of plant species for the treatment of neurological disorders. Medicinal plants have a range of phytochemicals, with some having promising neuroprotective properties which are documented and demonstrated by numerous research studies. Such plant-derived phytochemicals are diversified groups of bioactive compounds with various classes such as terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenols used as protective agents in nervous system disorders. Although phytochemical therapies are extensively used against neurodegeneration, the underlying mechanism of action is yet to be determined with doubts about phytochemical toxicity and side effect mediation persisting. Interestingly, from 1940 to 2014, 49% of all small molecules approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were natural products or their derivatives. This further encourages researchers to understand the underlying neuroprotective mechanism of phytochemicals as it can be vital in determining their use for neurotherapeutic purposes.

This Research Topic aims to present significant evidence of the therapeutic efficacy and potential of phytochemicals in neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Ischemic Stroke, Hemorrhagic Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spinal Cord Injury, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The Research Topic welcomes original research and review papers focused on the use of phytochemicals in improving neurological dysfunctions in preclinical and clinical studies. Research studies carried out using in vivo rodent, nonrodent models to explore the mechanism of action and interaction of phytochemicals with molecular mediators of neurodegeneration can be recommended. We will not accept manuscripts that contain only in vitro experiments or in silico work but will consider manuscripts that have a combination such as in vitro/in silico and in vivo applications to a model of neurological disorders.

The scope and focus areas of the present Research Topic include but are not limited to:
-Neuroprotective mechanisms of phytochemicals on nervous system disorders.
-Delineation of phytochemical interaction with conventional neuroprotective drugs
-Efficacy of natural bioactive compounds in the therapeutic interventions for regulation of Endoplasmic Stress (ER) and autophagy in age-related disorders.
-Neuroprotective mechanisms of phytochemicals in neurodegenerative disorders
-Oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative disorders and the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals.