From Bench to Bedside: Unveiling the Effects of Phloroglucinol as a Promising Neuroprotective Agent in the Battle Against Neurodegenerative Disorders

Phloroglucinol (PG) is a potent secondary metabolite found in various organisms, with extensive applications in medicine since its discovery in the nineteenth century. Research has demonstrated its diverse properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-viral, anti-cancer, and anthelmintic effects. In clinical settings, it alleviates pain by relaxing the gastrointestinal, biliary, and urinary systems. Despite its broad pharmacological potential, its use in treating neurodegenerative diseases (ND) remains underexplored. This study systematically explores PG’s role in ND management, utilizing data exclusively from reputable sources like PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and SpringerLink, and adhering to PRISMA guidelines to provide structured insights.

The review emphasizes PG’s significant role in treating various neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). PG offers cytoprotective effects by preventing dendritic spine density loss in AD, reducing ROS levels in PD and ALS, and inhibiting amyloid aggregate formation in HD. These benefits stem from its powerful antioxidant properties, which alleviate cerebral oxidative stress. Overall, PG stands out as an affordable and readily accessible resource with promising pharmaceutical applications for treating NDs.

This study underscores the prospect of PG serving as a wellspring for innovative drugs catering to the intricate demands of neurodegenerative conditions. Nevertheless, further research is necessary to thoroughly assess its clinical effectiveness in human subjects to ensure its widespread acceptance in clinical practice.