A REVIEW: NATURAL PLANTS AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by severe memory loss, unusual behaviour and a decline in cognitive function. It is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than 5.4 million people in the USA. Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the low levels in the brain of the neurotransmitters of acetylcholine. The major advances in the treatment of AD have been the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as galantamine, huperzine A, physostigmine and its derivatives to increase the levels of ACh rather than the use of cholinergic compounds, although compounds with nicotinic properties have attracted some interest. Some of the plants secondary metabolites have also shown to possess antioxidant, anti- inflammatory, neuroprotective and cognition enhancing effects. Presently according to WHO, around more than 80% world population relay on natural remedies to cure their health-related issues. A significant shift of drug discovery is being witnessed from synthetic moieties to herbal formulation.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, cognition, neurodegenerative disorders, acetylcholine, herbal formulations, neurotransmitters, Plant products.