Recent Advances in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders

Sachchida Nand Rai

• Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781681087733
• eBook ISBN: 9781681087726
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Neuroscience
• Index: Biological Sciences

Researchers have tried various effective treatments that prevent the progressive neurodegeneration of neurons within the brain. Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Multiple sclerosis (MS) are some of the most common neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Recent Advances in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders provides interesting updates on treatments of these neurological disorders. Ten chapters have been contributed by experts in pharmacology and give a unique perspective to reader on special topics in this area, including the treatment of neurodegenerative treatment of neurodegenerative disease through ayurveda and phytochemicals, the therapeutic role of vitamins in Parkinson's disease, mushrooms in NDD treatment, MS treatment, ALS treatment and the use of nanoparticles and nano formulations in NDD treatment. This is an informative reference for pharmacologists, medicinal chemists and healthcare professionals (general practitioners and neurologists) seeking updates in the treatment of some common neurodegenerative disorders.

Recent Advancement in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases by Ayurveda

Mridula Chaturvedi, Abhishek Kumar Chaturvedi^*

Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India and Central Government Health Scheme, Ministry of AYUSH, New Delhi, India

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are not the only diseases but a key term for a range of conditions that mainly affect the neurons in the human brain resulting in progressive degeneration or death of the nerve cells, which is a deadly and debilitating state. It affects millions of people worldwide. The most common NDDs worldwide are Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). According to De Lau & Breteler et al., the incidence of PD is about 10 million globally (i.e., approximately 0.3% of the world population) and 1% of those above 60 years. Management of NDDs has become a big challenge in the modern system of medicine & public health at present because of demographic changes worldwide. There is no specific therapy for the conventional management of NDDs in the modern system of medicine. The absence of specific and complete therapy for NDDs in the present era makes Ayurveda more important to consider some alternative and complementary system of medicine for the treatment. Ayurveda is an Indian system of medicine that comes under AYUSH and treats the NDDs since its inception, which is mainly described under the VataVyadhi (neurological disorder) context. In this chapter, the recent advancement in Ayurvedic medicinal plants, RasaAusadhies (herbo-mineral drugs) & combined drugs, Panchkarma therapies (bio-purification procedures), and Yoga & Asanas (bodily postures) that successfully treat the various common NDDs worldwide will be described.

Keywords: Alzheimer's diseases, Ayurveda, Herbo-mineral drugs, Neurodegenerative diseases, Panchkarma, Parkinson’s disease, Yoga.

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^* Corresponding author Abhishek Kumar Chaturvedi: Central Government Health Scheme, Ministry of AYUSH, New Delhi, India; Tel: [phone]; E-mail: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION

The building blocks of the nervous system (brain and spinal cord) are neurons that generally do not replace or reproduce if they become dead or damaged, result in

problems in the movement known as ataxias or mental function known as dementias [1]. Due to this, they are responsible for the greatest trouble of neurodegenerative disorders in which Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) contributes approximately 60-70% of cases worldwide [2]. At cellular, molecular as well as subcellular level, most of the neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) exhibit the common features [3]. In common NDDs, various intracellular and extracellular changes can be observed, especially in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and other NDDs [4]. In the living organism, the cytoplasm and reticulum are mainly conscientious for the fabrication of structural and functional protein molecules for which the mechanism of translational and post-translation synthesis is extremely multifaceted and complicated [5]. The main characteristics of NDDs are amassing of anomalous protein aggregation that leads to inflammation as well as oxidative stress (OS) in the central nervous system (CNS) [6]. These NDDs (PD & AD) are caused by environmental and genetic influences [7].

Scientists recognize that the amalgamation of a person’s genes and environment contributes to the threat of developing NDDs. That is, a person may have a gene that makes him more vulnerable to certain NDDs. But how severely the person is exaggerated depends on environmental exposures throughout life [8]. NDDs are exemplified by aggregation of proteins, inflammation, and OS in the CNS, degradation of neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft due to the elevated activity of enzymes, mitochondrial dysfunction, and excitotoxicity of neurons [9]. Deficiency or inadequate synthesis of neurohormones and transmitters, anomalous ubiquitination, and stress are directly related to NDDs and also some other induced origin including the drugs which are used for the treatment of autism, and other chronic illnesses are not without side effects and injure the blood-brain barrier which leads to various nervous system related disorders [10].

OVERVIEW of NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES (NDDs)

The progressive loss of function as well as the structure of neurons due to known cause or unknown cause, including the death of neuronal cells, are called NDDs. Many NNDs are discovered, which are the result of these degenerative process in which PD, AD, and Huntington's disease (HD) are most common [11]. Such diseases are fatal, not curable, and permanent in nature, resulting in a debilitating situation for the patient. As research works progress, many similarities come into view that linkthese diseases to one another on a sub-cellular level [12].

The Preamble of Common Neurodegenerative Diseases

Several NDDs are discovered since the beginning, but the most common accounts of 70% of cases worldwide are preamble and are discussed below:

Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

The main features of this disease are neuronal inflammation, cognitive decline, neuronal loss, and neuronal death, which are also known as apoptosis. The main etiology of AD is an aggregation of β-amyloid (Aβ). The formation of microtubule as...

Table of contents

• Welcome
• Table of Content
• Title
• BENTHAM SCIENCE PUBLISHERS LTD.
• FOREWORD
• PREFACE
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• List of Contributors
• An Introduction to Neurodegenerative Diseases and its Treatment
• Recent Advancement in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases by Ayurveda
• Role of Phytochemicals in Neurodegenerative Disorders
• Therapeutic Potential of Vitamins in Parkinson’s Disease
• Potential of Gut Microbiome in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease
• Therapeutic Efficacy of Mushroom in Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Advances in Experimental Animal Models Provide Insights into Different Etiology and Mechanism of Multiple Sclerosis to Design Therapeutics
• Novel Therapeutic Targets in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Impact of Nano-Formulations of Natural Compounds in the Management of Neuro degenerative Diseases
• Recent Advancement in the Nanoparticles Mediated Therapeutics of Parkinson’s Disease