Neuroprotective effects of crude extracts, compounds, and isolated molecules obtained from plants in the central nervous system injuries: a systematic review

Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2023 · DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1249685 · Published: September 12, 2023

Simple Explanation

This review examines the potential of plant-derived substances to protect the nervous system after injury. It focuses on studies using extracts, compounds, and isolated molecules from plants. The review looked at studies involving experimental models of central nervous system (CNS) injuries, focusing on treatments with plant-derived substances and their neuroprotective effects. The study highlights that plant-derived substances can modulate inflammatory responses, improve antioxidant activity, and preserve tissue in the brain and spinal cord, leading to motor and cognitive recovery.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Small rodents (in vivo and in vitro studies)

Evidence Level

Systematic Review

Key Findings

1
Crude extracts, compounds, and isolated molecules obtained from plants showed neuroprotective effects against CNS injuries.
2
These plant-derived substances can modulate inflammatory activity and oxidative biochemistry.
3
Treatment with plant extracts can lead to tissue preservation and recovery of motor and cognitive activity.

Research Summary

This systematic review investigated the neuroprotective effects of crude extracts, compound, and isolated molecules obtained from plants in different CNS lesions. Fourteen out of 5,521 studies were selected for qualitative analysis. Crude extracts, compounds, or isolated molecules obtained from plants showed promising neuroprotective effects against several CNS injuries in both the brain and spinal cord, regardless of gender and age, through the modulation of inflammatory activity and oxidative biochemistry, tissue preservation, and recovery of motor and cognitive activity.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Plant-derived substances could be a source of new treatments for CNS injuries.

Further Research

More studies are needed to identify the optimal plant parts and standardize experimental models.

Treatment Timing

Initiating treatment soon after injury may lead to better outcomes.

Study Limitations

1
The selected articles did not discuss which parts of the plants provided the optimal extraction yield of crude extract, compounds, or isolated molecules.
2
Only a few plant species were found in this systematic review, despite the worldwide diversity of plants with potential neuroprotective effects.
3
The optimal therapeutic window could not be determined, which warrants further investigation.

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