Phytochemical Applications in Neuroprotection and Inflammation
Summary
Phytochemicals, bioactive compounds derived from plants, have emerged as versatile agents capable of mitigating neurodegeneration and inflammatory processes through a combination of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuromodulatory mechanisms. Carotenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids and terpenoids can intercept reactive oxygen species, reinforce endogenous antioxidant pathways and stabilise mitochondrial function to protect neurons against excitotoxic or ischaemic insult. Many of these molecules also regulate key signalling cascades—such as the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase pathway implicated in parthanatos—while modulating cytokine production and glial activation in central and peripheral tissues. Beyond acute injury models, such phytochemicals influence neurotrophic support by upregulating proteins that govern synaptic plasticity, and improve cognitive and behavioural outcomes in chronic conditions. The broad spectrum of activity and favourable safety profiles of plant-derived agents has driven interest in their translation as nutraceuticals or lead structures for drug development, offering promise for disorders from stroke and diabetic encephalopathy to mood disturbances underpinned by inflammatory dysregulation.
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Phytochemical Applications in Neuroprotection and Inflammation publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytochemical applications in neuroprotection and inflammation across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Parthanatos: A form of programmed cell death driven by excessive poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity and PAR accumulation.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive oxygen-containing molecules that can damage lipids, proteins and DNA.
Mitochondrial hexokinase-I: An enzyme bound to the outer mitochondrial membrane that modulates energy metabolism and cell survival.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF): A neurotrophin essential for neuronal survival, differentiation and synaptic plasticity.
cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB): A transcription factor that regulates genes involved in neuronal growth and plasticity.
VGF: A neuropeptide precursor whose products support neuronal health, energy balance and synaptic function.
Oxidative stress: A pathological state arising from an imbalance between pro-oxidant generation and antioxidant defences.
Diabetic encephalopathy: Cognitive and structural brain alterations resulting from chronic hyperglycaemia and associated metabolic disturbances.
References
- Crocetin antagonizes parthanatos in ischemic stroke via inhibiting NOX2 and preserving mitochondrial hexokinase-I. Cell Death & Disease (2023).
- Antidepressant effects of crocin and its effects on transcript and protein levels of CREB, BDNF, and VGF in rat hippocampus. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2014).
- Ameliorative Effect of Saffron Aqueous Extract on Hyperglycemia, Hyperlipidemia, and Oxidative Stress on Diabetic Encephalopathy in Streptozotocin Induced Experimental Diabetes Mellitus. BioMed Research International (2014).
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