Natural Medicines (Phytoconstituents) and Probiotics as the Future of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease (ND) that leads to cognitive dysfunction and serious behavioral abnormalities. Numerous pathological factors are responsible for the disease’s progressive nature, such as the aggregation of amyloid β (Aβ), neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), enhanced oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunctions. Further, these factors lead to the degeneration of cholinergic neurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus part of the brain. Several clinical and preclinical investigations have been documented for managing AD, yet only a small number have shown success and have been implemented in clinical practice. Various phytomedicines and probiotics have shown neuroprotective effects through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-amyloid, and antiapoptotic effects. Phytomedicines exhibited numerous advantages, such as fewer side effects and the ability to work through multiple mechanistic pathways to reduce pathogenic causes of AD. Furthermore, probiotics are one of the best approaches to treat AD as they help improve gross behavioral activity by reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. They also help enhance the level of cholinergic neurotransmitters in specific brain regions. Delving deeper, the chapter discusses the etiopathogenesis of AD and the role of phytomedicines and probiotics in treating AD.