Plant-mediated green nanoparticles: combining nanometal and biometabolite potential for Alzheimer’s treatment

Alzheimer's disease (AD) can cause cognitive and memory dysfunction due to insufficient acetylcholine (ACh). In principle, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) hydrolyzes ACh into acetic acid and choline, rendering the latter inactive. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) are currently the main treatment strategy used to increase ACh availability and decrease the effects of cholinergic loss. The FDA has currently approved donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine (GAL) as AchEI drugs to treat AD. Among these drugs, only the alkaloid galantamine is found naturally among the AChEIs. The synergistic effect of plant metabolites and metal nanoparticles (MNPs) presents a promising avenue for AD treatment. Green synthesis approach leverages the unique properties of MNPs combined with the therapeutic potential of plant-derived compounds. In the present review, recent developments in nanotechnology, including the green synthesis of MNPs, have been discussed in relation to the treatment of AD. Given the recent advancements, we hope that the combination of nanotechnology and medicinal plants will eventually result in the development of highly successful strategies for the treatment of AD.