Phytomicronutrients in neurodegeneration: modulating microglial dynamics for neuroprotection

Abstract Microglial dysfunction plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Emerging evidence suggests that targeting microglial activation could be a promising therapeutic strategy. This review critically examines recent studies investigating the effects of medicinal plant extracts and their bioactive compounds on microglial function. Relevant data from experimental and preclinical studies were analyzed to assess their neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory potential. Phytochemicals that are found in plants, especially flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids, demonstrate important modulatory effects on microglials. These compounds control microglial polarization, inhibit the release of proinflammatory cytokines, and alleviate oxidative stress, thus, alleviating neuroinflammation and enhancing neuro-restoration. The results suggest that medicine plant extracts have effects on major molecular pathways associated with neuroinflammation, which provide new adjunctive treatment to neurodegenerative diseases. Nevertheless, there are still problems in the translation of these preclinical successes into clinical practice. The limited bioavailability, variability in phytochemical composition, and the absence of standardized formulations are some of the challenges that discourage clinical use. Also, thorough safety assessments should be conducted to achieve therapeutic effectiveness with no adverse effects. The medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds hold potential promise in regulating the dysfunction of microglia and in decreasing neuroinflammation. Future studies are needed to enhance the pharmacokinetic characteristics, to provide consistency in formulations, and to perform stringent clinical studies that would substantiate these findings and allow their use in therapeutic regimens of neuroinflammatory disorders.