Herbal Medicine Applications in Alzheimer's Disease Management
Summary
Herbal medicine represents a growing frontier in the management of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), offering multi-target therapeutic strategies that complement existing symptomatic treatments. Traditional formulations and isolated phytochemicals exert neuroprotective effects through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-amyloidogenic activities, and by modulating neurotransmitter systems. They may preserve synaptic integrity, enhance mitochondrial function and promote clearance of pathological protein aggregates. Recent advances emphasise the role of the microbiota–gut–brain axis in mediating cognitive benefits, with certain decoctions restoring microbial balance and attenuating neuroinflammation. Clinical evaluations, systematic reviews and preclinical studies jointly underscore the potential for herbal interventions to stabilise cognitive decline, improve daily living activities and slow disease progression. Global efforts continue to characterise bioactive constituents, refine standardised extracts and conduct robust trials, aiming to integrate herbal therapies into evidence-based AD care pathways.
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Herbal Medicine Applications in Alzheimer's Disease Management publication trend
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Technical terms
Amyloid-β: Peptide that aggregates into plaques and contributes to neuronal toxicity in AD.
Tau phosphorylation: Addition of phosphate groups to tau protein, promoting neurofibrillary tangle formation.
Synaptic plasticity: The ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken, underlying learning and memory.
Microbiota–gut–brain axis: Bidirectional communication network linking gut microbial communities with central nervous system function.
Meta-analysis: Statistical technique that combines results from multiple studies to derive pooled conclusions.
References
- Clinical efficacy and safety of compound Congrong Yizhi Capsules on Alzheimer's disease in mainland China: A systematic review with trial sequential analysis and GRADE assessment. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2023).
- Chicoric Acid Ameliorated Beta-Amyloid Pathology and Enhanced Expression of Synaptic-Function-Related Markers via L1CAM in Alzheimer’s Disease Models. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
- Danggui Shaoyao San: comprehensive modulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis for attenuating Alzheimer’s disease-related pathology. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2024).
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