Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Neurodegeneration

Dear Colleagues,  

Natural products exhibit promising neuroprotective properties and may play a significant role in treating and preventing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Their bioactive compounds, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, can modulate key biological pathways that are crucial to neuron survival. Numerous studies have demonstrated the role of bioactive compounds derived from plants, fruits, vegetables, and nuts, as well as aquatic biota, in stimulating nerve growth factor release, regulating inflammatory processes, reducing oxidative stress, and safeguarding nerve cells from apoptosis. Their efficacy in preclinical models is well documented. However, challenges remain in their application, concerning their physicochemical stability, solubility, metabolism, blood–brain barrier penetration, and therapeutic effectiveness. Despite these challenges, natural products offer potential benefits in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, and further research is required, to fully harness their capabilities. 

This Special Issue of IJMS will address the following topics:  

• Natural products in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases;
• Molecular and cellular mechanisms of bioactive compounds in the central nervous system;
• Bioactive compounds in neuroprotection;
• Bioactive compounds in neuroregeneration;
• Optimizing natural compounds for enhanced therapeutic effectiveness.  

Dr. Patrycja Kupnicka
Guest Editor

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