Neuroprotective Natural Products

Discovery and Development of Neuroprotective Agents from Natural Products draws together global research on medicinal agents from natural sources as starting points for the design of neuroprotective drugs. From the prediction of promising leads and identification of active agents to the extraction of complex molecules, the book explores a range of important topics to support the development of safer, more economical therapeutics for these increasingly prevalent diseases. Beginning with an overview of current developments in the field, the book goes on to explore the identification, extraction and phytochemistry of such neuroprotective agents as antioxidants, biophenols and naturally occurring anti-inflammatory steroid analogues. Specific natural sources of bioactive agents are reviewed, and the development of these agents into therapeutics for a number of specific neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and ischemic brain stroke, are discussed. Combining the expertise of specialists from around the world, this in the Natural Products Drug Discovery series aims to support and encourage researchers in the investigation of natural sources as starting points for the development of standardized, safe and effective neuroprotective drugs. Features chapters written by active researchers and leading global experts deeply engaged in the research field of natural product chemistry for drug discovery Includes comprehensive coverage of cutting-edge research advances in the design of drugs from natural products targeted at different kinds of neurodegenerative diseases Offers a practical review of identification, isolation and extraction techniques to support medicinal chemists in the lab

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are the most common pathologies of the central nervous system currently without a cure. They share common molecular and cellular characteristics, including protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction, glutamate toxicity, dysregulation of calcium homeostasis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and ageing, which contribute to neuronal death. Efforts to treat these diseases are often limited by their multifactorial etiology. Natural products, thanks to their multitarget activities, are considered promising alternatives for the treatment of neurodegeneration. This book deals with two different forms of natural products: extracts and isolated compounds. The study of the bioactivity of the extracts is extremely important as many studies have demonstrated the synergistic effect of the combination of different natural products. On the other hand, the investigation of the activity of specifically isolated natural products can be also important to understand their cellular and molecular mechanisms and to define the specific bioactive components in extracts or foods. This book can be considered an important contribution to knowledge of the neuroprotective effect of natural products and presents a great deal of information, related to both the benefits but also the limitations of their use in counteracting neurodegeneration.

Focuses on the effects of natural products and their active components on brain function and neurodegenerative disease prevention. Phytochemicals such as alkaloids, terpenes, flavanoids, isoflavones, saponins etc are known to possess protective activity against many neurological diseases. The molecular mechanisms behind the curative effects rely mainly on the action of phytonutrients on distinct signaling pathways associated with protein folding and neuro-inflammation. The diverse array of bioactive nutrients present in these natural products plays a pivotal role in prevention and cure of various neurodegenerative diseases, disorders, or insults, such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, traumatic brain injury, and other neuronal dysfunctions. However, the use of these antioxidants in the management of neurodegenerative conditions has so far been not well understood. This is a comprehensive collection addressing the effects on the brain of natural products and edible items such as reservatrol, curcumin, gingerol, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and marine products.

Focusing on the molecular mechanisms of powerful naturally occurring agents and their implication for drug discovery, this timely book presents an overview of the most recent research advances in the field of bioactive natural products and natural drug formulations to combat today's destructive diseases. To this extent, the authors discuss the most severe neurological disorders in our modern civilization, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease, as well as ischemic brain stroke and depression. The emerging diversity of active compounds is covered in detail, including flavonoids, cannabinoids and oleanolic acid, while experts in the field explain the chemistry, mode of action and clinical aspects of novel neuroprotective natural products. In each case, the benefits of treatments using natural products are addressed from the perspective of modern as well as traditional medicine. With its multidisciplinary viewpoint, this is the ideal companion for medicinal and natural products chemists as well as neuroscientists, biochemists, pharmacologists, neurobiologists, and phytotherapists.

Phytochemicals are naturally occurring bioactive compounds found in edible fruits, plants, vegetables, and herbs. Unlike vitamins and minerals, phytochemicals are not needed for the maintenance of cell viability, but they play a vital role in protecting neural cells from inflammation and oxidative stress associated with normal aging and acute and chronic age-related brain diseases. Neuroprotective Effects of Phytochemicals in Neurological Disorders explores the advances in our understanding of the potential neuroprotective benefits that these naturally occurring chemicals contain. Neuroprotective Effects of Phytochemicals in Neurological Disorders explores the role that a number of plant-based chemical compounds play in a wide variety of neurological disorders. Chapters explore the impact of phytochemicals on neurotraumatic disorders, such as stroke and spinal cord injury, alongside neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease, as well as neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and schizophrenia. The chapters and sections of this book provide the reader with a big picture view of this field of research. Neuroprotective Effects of Phytochemicals in Neurological Disorders aims to present readers with a comprehensive and cutting edge look at the effects of phytochemicals on the brain and neurological disorders in a manner useful to researchers, neuroscientists, clinical nutritionists, and physicians.

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are the most common pathologies of the central nervous system currently without a cure. They share common molecular and cellular characteristics, including protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction, glutamate toxicity, dysregulation of calcium homeostasis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and ageing, which contribute to neuronal death. Efforts to treat these diseases are often limited by their multifactorial etiology. Natural products, thanks to their multitarget activities, are considered promising alternatives for the treatment of neurodegeneration. This book deals with two different forms of natural products: extracts and isolated compounds. The study of the bioactivity of the extracts is extremely important as many studies have demonstrated the synergistic effect of the combination of different natural products. On the other hand, the investigation of the activity of specifically isolated natural products can be also important to understand their cellular and molecular mechanisms and to define the specific bioactive components in extracts or foods. This book can be considered an important contribution to knowledge of the neuroprotective effect of natural products and presents a great deal of information, related to both the benefits but also the limitations of their use in counteracting neurodegeneration.

Medicinal Natural Products: A Disease-Focused Approach, Volume 55 in the Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry series, highlights the applications of natural products as medicines or prospective medicinal leads for the treatment of various human ailments. Each chapter covers a particular disease area or medical condition, with chapters in this new release covering Medicinal Natural Products – An Introduction, Anticancer Natural Products, Antimicrobial Natural Products, Antimalarial and Antiparasitic Natural Products, Anti-inflammatory Natural Products, Neuroprotective Natural Products, Hepatoprotective Natural Products, Nephroprotective Natural Products, Cancer Chemopreventive Natural Products, Antipsoriatic Natural Products, Medicinal Natural Products in Osteoporosis, Antidiabetic Natural Products, Anti-obesity Natural Products, and much more. Presents a disease-focused perspective Includes the latest on the medicinal chemistry of natural products Covers natural products in drug delivery

The value and therapeutic potential of medicinal plants as molecular sources has been demonstrated throughout history and remains an important resource for identifying novel drug leads. A major asset in medicinal plant drug discovery is the presence of ethnopharmacological information that provides clues to the therapeutic efficacy of compounds in humans. With the coming of an aging society, neurodegenerative conditions have arguably become the most dreaded maladies of the elderly. The latest idea is that some aspects of the aging process can be reversed at a younger age if the brain is malleable. If this idea is realized, it may also be possible to slow or reverse neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. Natural medicines display promising neuroprotective and neuroreparatived properties in neurological diseases.