An updated review on Anti-Alzheimer’s herbal drugs

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is related to cognitive impairment, dementia observed generally in aged population due to neurodegeneration in an ongoing manner. It gradually worsens memory power of the patient. The hallmark diagnosis features includes formation of senile plaques and Neurofibrillary tangles (NFT’S) [1, 2]. Too little availability of Acetyl choline (ACh) a neurotransmitter in the cerebral region due to metabolism by an enzyme Acetyl choline esterase before showing its action and neural death are the primary reasons for AD. There are many categories of Anti-Alzheimer’s drugs available for management of AD in the market but due to lack of patient compliance successful outcomes were not observed [3]. Apart from this including Nutraceuticals in diet daily routine, Aromatherapy, modifications in the regular schedule, practicing yoga regularly relaxes mind and body from tensions, insomnia, blood circulation, detoxification of organs due to rhythmic breathings and reduce frequency of incidence of headache are proven to show best results by relieving stress according to survey[4-9]. At present herbal medicine has turn out to be best choice for the management of AD because of its availability, very economic, good patient compliance, ease of formulation and lower deleterious side effects [10, 11]. Novel techniques can be used for the development of herbal medicine. This review totally discuses about the occurrence of AD, its Pathophysiology, different stages in the disorder, various selective therapeutic targets for AD, available Anti-AD herbal drugs such as Curcumin, Withania somnifera, Bhrami, Ginkgo biloba, guggul, ginseng, herbs with essential oils, volatile oils, source and cultivation of the herbs, mechanism of action of the Phytochemicals in the herb responsible for treating AD.
 Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), cognitive impairment, Dementia, Senile plaques, Nutraceuticals, Herbal medicine, Phytoconstituents.

Recent updates on the role of herbal medicine for Alzheimer's disease (Dementia)

“…The hallmark diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease features includes formation of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (Sanka et al, 2018). Numerous hypotheses have been put forward on the basis of the various causative factors in order to explain this multifactorial disorder (Sanka et al, 2018). Some of them included are: cholinergic hypothesis, amyloid beta hypothesis, Tau hypothesis and Inflammation hypothesis (Sanka et al, 2018).…”

“…Numerous hypotheses have been put forward on the basis of the various causative factors in order to explain this multifactorial disorder (Sanka et al, 2018). Some of them included are: cholinergic hypothesis, amyloid beta hypothesis, Tau hypothesis and Inflammation hypothesis (Sanka et al, 2018). Various therapeutic targets to treat Alzheimer's disease are 1) Targeting amyloid beta protein (Antiamyloid approach), 2) Targeting amyloid transport, 3) Modulation of Secretase enzyme, 4) Targeting amyloid clearance, 5) Amyloid based vaccination therapy, 6) Targeting Tau protein, and 7) Neurogenesis (Sanka et al, 2018).…”

A Review: Pharmacological and herbal remedies in The Management of Neurodegenerative disorder (Alzheimer’s)

“…Several Herbal Medicines have been used since ancient times for treatment of neurological disorders because of their lesser side effects and greater efficacy. Such herbs are Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Ginkgo Biloba, Saffron (Crocus sativus), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica), Triphala (emblica officinalis), Cat's claw (uncaria tomentosa) [53] .…”

“…The flavonoids and Terpens in the extract significantly inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity in brain. Ginkolides is a potent anti-oxidant with cholinergic and neuroprotective activities hence it protects against Aβ-Protein induced oxidative damage [53] . Gb is used as an initial treatment for early-stage AD and vascular dementia.…”

Alzheimer’s Disease and Herbal Combination Therapy: A Comprehensive Review

“…According to Ayurvedic literature and practices, A. calamus plant extract was prescribed for several problems related to digestion, insomnia, epilepsy, cough, fever, and neurosis. The active compounds of this plant were reportedly involved in the acetylcholinesterase degradation [ 56 ]. Studies have shown that A. calamus is an effective source of medication that can help in preventing memory impairment or increasing memory by stress reduction by controlling inflammation and reactive oxygen species [ 57 ].…”