A Cross Talk Between Natural Biomolecules and Neuroglia

The human brain's billions of neurons rely on glial cells for repair, maintenance, and protection. Disruption in glia–neuron communication drives chronic neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, marked by protein aggregates, neuronal loss, and functional decline. Conventional therapies are costly, have side effects, and often lack efficacy, highlighting the need for novel approaches. Natural bioactive compounds—such as alkaloids (caffeine, berberine), terpenoids (limonene, ginkgolides), and polyphenols (quercetin, resveratrol, curcumin)—exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, thereby modulating neuroglial function. Medicinal plants (Withania somnifera, Curcuma longa, Bacopa monnieri) and agents like cannabinoids, β-asarone, and pergolide show promise in improving cognition, mood, and neurological outcomes. Targeting neuroglia with these compounds offers a complementary, effective, and safer approach to managing CNS disorders.