Metabolites and Phytochemicals in Medicinal Plants Used in the Management and Treatment of Neurological Diseases

In medicine, neurological disorders can be well defined as disorders which affect the brain and nerves found all through the body of humans as well as the spinal cord. Structural, biochemical or electrical abnormalities in terms of biochemistry, electrical or structure in the brain, spinal cord or other nerves can lead to a range of symptoms. Some good examples of such symptoms include poor or loss of coordination and sensation, seizures, muscle weakness, paralysis, pain, confusion and an altered sense of consciousness. There are many causative factors when it comes to neurological disorders, this may include lifestyle, genetics, congenital abnormalities, brain injury, infections and nerve and spinal cord injuries. Neurological disorders include but are not limited to the following: Alzheimer’s disease, brain aneurysm, epilepsy and seizures, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, migraine, headaches and encephalitis. Plants used in the treatment and management of neurological disorders include Andrographis paniculata, Areca catechu, Centella asiatica, Sesamum indicum, Cinnamomum cassia, Euphorbia tirucalli, Piper methysticum, Areca catechu, Angelica sinensis, Centella asiatica, Aegle marmelos, Gardenia jasminoides, Tripterygium wilfordi, Xylopia aethiopi, Curcuma longa, Panax ginseng, Garcinia kola, Glycine max, Schizandrae chinensis, Ginkgo biloba, Piper nigrum, Withania somnifera, Cyperus rotundus, Suctellaria baicalensis, Silybinisus laborinum, etc. these plants possess some key phytochemical groups such as Phenolics, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, triterpene, glyco withanolides, sesquiterpenes, lignans, neolignans, etc. While the active constituents/metabolites include curcumin, wogonin, flavonoid, silibinin, stilbenoid/resveratrol, hyperforin, rutin, ferulic acid, paeoniflorin, safranal, crocin, naringenin, berberine, chrysin, thymoquinone, nardostachysin, jatamansic acid, jatamansone, etc. These phytochemicals have been reported by many researchers to possess and exhibit neuroprotective properties. The plants discussed in this chapter as well as their active constituents provide great insight into affordable means of treating and managing neurological disorders as well as a basis for pharmaceutical companies searching for novel sources for the production of neuroprotective pharmacotherapy drugs.