A Green Approach to Alzheimer Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder primarily associated with aging, marked by memory and cognitive decline that eventually leads to death. The pathogenesis of AD is characterized by tau protein hyperphosphorylation, amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaque accumulation, and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in brain tissues. Oxidative stress, driven by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays a significant role in the progression of the disease. Currently, there is no cure for AD and while symptomatic treatments provide limited relief; they are often unsatisfactory in halting disease progression. As a result, alternative therapies, particularly herbal medicine, have gained increasing interest.

Herbal medicines, used by approximately 80% of the global population especially in developing countries have demonstrated safety, efficacy, and cultural acceptability with fewer side effects than conventional drugs. This review explores the therapeutic potential of several medicinal plants, including Ginkgo biloba, Salvia officinalis, Melissa officinalis, and Crocus sativus, in treating Alzheimer’s disease. These plants and their bioactive compounds have shown promise in modulating vital pathological features of AD, including oxidative stress, amyloid plaque formation, and tau hyperphosphorylation. By summarizing the current research on these herbal treatments, this review aims to highlight their potential as adjuncts or alternatives to conventional AD therapies, offering hope for more effective, safer treatments for this devastating disease.