: a source for anti-Alzheimer's disease drugs.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that originates from central nervous system lesions or recessions. Current estimates suggest that this disease affects over 35 million people worldwide. However, lacking effective drugs is the biggest handicap in treating AD. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Willd. (Polygalaceae) is generally used to treat insomnia, memory dysfunction and neurasthenia. This review article explores the role of and its active components in anti-Alzheimer's disease. Literature for the last ten years was obtained through a search on PubMed, SciFinder, CNKI, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct and China Knowledge Resource Integrated with the following keywords: Polygala tenuifolia, polygalasaponin XXXII (PGS 32), tenuifolin, polygalacic acid, senegenin, tenuigenin, Alzheimer's disease. and its active components have multiplex neuroprotective potential associated with AD, such as anti-A aggregation, anti-Tau protein, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, anti-neuronal apoptosis, enhancing central cholinergic system and promote neuronal proliferation. and its active components exhibit multiple neuroprotective effects. Hence, is a potential drug against Alzheimer's disease, especially in terms of prevention.