Meng Wang, Chao Wang, Kaiwei Zhao, Sijia Ma, Jiajia Sang, Shijie Xu
Institute of Basic Theory of Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
Front Nutr. 2025 Jan 31;12:1537363. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1537363. eCollection 2025.
Neurological disorders pose significant global public health challenges, with a rising prevalence and complex pathophysiological mechanisms that impose substantial social and economic burdens. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with its holistic approach and multi-target effects, has gained increasing attention in the treatment of neurological diseases. This review explores bioactive compounds derived from Chinese herbal plants, focusing on their mechanisms of action, underlying pathways, and potential applications in functional food development. The review highlights the neuroprotective properties of flavonoids, alkaloids, polysaccharides, and polyphenols found in key TCM herbs such as , , , and . These compounds have demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neurogenic effects, making them promising candidates for the prevention and treatment of neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and depression. Furthermore, the synergistic effects of TCM formulations targeting multiple signaling pathways offer advantages over single-target therapies, especially in combating neurodegenerative diseases. The review also discusses the challenges and future directions for integrating these bioactive compounds into functional foods and dietary supplements, aiming to improve neurological health and enhance clinical outcomes. Ultimately, this work aims to provide valuable insights into the potential of TCM-based interventions for promoting neurological well-being and addressing the global burden of neurological disorders.
神经疾病给全球公共卫生带来了重大挑战，其患病率不断上升，病理生理机制复杂，造成了巨大的社会和经济负担。中医以其整体观念和多靶点作用，在神经疾病治疗中越来越受到关注。本综述探讨了源自中草药植物的生物活性化合物，重点关注其作用机制、潜在途径以及在功能性食品开发中的潜在应用。该综述强调了在关键的中药如[此处原文未列出具体草药名称]中发现的黄酮类、生物碱、多糖和多酚的神经保护特性。这些化合物已显示出显著的抗炎、抗氧化和神经生成作用，使其成为预防和治疗包括阿尔茨海默病（AD）、帕金森病（PD）和抑郁症在内的神经疾病的有前景的候选物。此外，针对多个信号通路的中药配方的协同作用比单靶点疗法具有优势，特别是在对抗神经退行性疾病方面。该综述还讨论了将这些生物活性化合物整合到功能性食品和膳食补充剂中的挑战和未来方向，旨在改善神经健康并提高临床疗效。最终，这项工作旨在为基于中医的干预措施在促进神经健康和应对全球神经疾病负担方面的潜力提供有价值的见解。
