Natural Products for Potential Use of Neuroprotective and Neurorestorative Effects

Dear Colleagues,

Neurodegenerative diseases result from a variety of pathological conditions characterized by significant cellular damage, abnormal protein presence and altered connections of the nervous system that can impair the patient's life quality. It is estimated that neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of individuals worldwide and the likelihood of developing neurodegenerative disease increases dramatically with age. The presence of abnormal proteins and increased oxidative stress contribute to accelerating neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes. To date, considerable progress has been made in identifying the molecular mechanisms and pathways underlying neurodegenerative diseases; however, identifying safe and effective drug therapies for treating these disorders is very arduous. Pharmacological therapies in use for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease are still ineffective in modifying pathological changes and neurological disorders, and they provide only symptomatic relief; therefore, it is essential to seek new therapeutic strategies to treat these diseases. Natural compounds have aroused considerable interest in this field, also proving to be a possible alternative to the synthetic drugs used. Natural compounds may exert positive effects on aging-related changes in the brain and are capable of modulating neurological processes, given their ability to interact with neuronal–glial signaling pathways that are implicated in neuronal survival and function. In this Special Issue, we aim to bring together research from experts in the field highlighting the neuroprotective capabilities of natural compounds to identify future directions that will lead to discoveries and alternative therapies for neurological disorders.

Dr. Lorenza Guarnieri
Dr. Francesca Bosco
Guest Editors

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