Various studies suggested that neuroinflammation leads to the development of several neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Huntington's disease (HD). Rotenone is an organic pesticide and potent inhibitor of complex I of electron transport chain widely used to develop the PD model. Numerous studies reported rotenone toxicity in the dopaminergic system but very few studies are available on rotenone‐induced glial cell activation and subsequent neurodegeneration and alterations in various types of behavior. Therefore, the present study was designed to explore the effect of rotenone on neuroinflammation and its deleterious effect on the behavior of mice, and also how these effects can be protected through quercetin. Quercetin, a natural flavonoid having strong antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties, is found in vegetables and fruits. The finding of the study indicated that rotenone 5 mg/kg body weight for 60 days through oral gavage leads to the release of inflammatory markers in blood serum, astrocytes activation in substantia nigra and hippocampus, and subsequently decreased density of dopaminergic fibers in the striatum. Rotenone also altered the memory of the mice as indicated by decreased spontaneous alteration in Y‐maze and T‐maze tests and reduction in exploration time in novel object recognition, increased immobility time in the forced swim test and reduced muscular strength. Co‐treatment of quercetin 30 mg/kg/day through oral gavage for 60 days along with rotenone significantly reversed all these adverse effects, suggesting that quercetin could reduce neuroinflammation, and improve memory, and cognitive function.

Indian use of cannabis dates back to Vedic time, mostly for the ritualistic and religious purposes, as documented in the ancient literature. It was India that introduced the medical use of cannabis to neighboring countries. Nevertheless, in the same India, medical use did not propagate due to religious and social stigma related to the plant itself. The pharmacoactive constituents of cannabis and their therapeutic values in Ayurvetic medicine have been here described together with the adverse effects they can cause with special reference to neurological ones, including withdrawal symptoms. Finally, how cannabis made its route to the Indian society has also been discussed.

Rotenone is well known environmental neurotoxin used to induce Parkinson’s disease (PD) model. Numerous studies are investigated its toxicity on the brain but few studies are available that examined its toxicity on the liver and kidney. Therefore, the main aim of the present work was to explore the toxicity of rotenone on the liver and kidney and its protection through quercetin. Administration of rotenone orally at the dose of (5mg/kg b.w daily for 60 days) caused a significant increase in the levels of liver function and renal function biomarkers as compared to controls. A significant increase in the level of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, and decrease in the levels of reduced glutathione, reduction in the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were observed in the liver and kidney as compared to control. The histopathological and SEM study in rotenone-treated mice showed alteration and signs of inflammation in the liver and kidney. While co-treatment of quercetin orally (30 mg/kg b.w for 60 days) together with rotenone, reversed the above parameters. In conclusion, rotenone significantly damages the liver and kidney, and the administration of quercetin along with rotenone shown a protective role. This study provides a new insight into where rotenone-induced liver and kidney dysfunction could be successfully protected by quercetin.

Neurodegenerative disorders are considered major global health problems associated with nervous system dysfunction, progressive neuronal cell loss with aging, and several pathological and sporadic factors. Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Prion disease, Huntington’s disease, and multiple sclerosis are the main neurodegenerative diseases that raise significant concern among health scientists. The etiology of different neurodegenerative diseases is different, and they majorly affect the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system. Neurodegenerative diseases are linked with motor dysfunction, anxiety, memory loss, depression, cognitive impairments, etc. These diseases can be hereditary or caused by toxicity, metabolic disorders, or pathological changes in the brain. Therefore, interest has been growing in the development of different neuroprotective agents of natural origin that could work effectively against these diseases. In that aspect, phytochemicals have shown high potential with minimal side effects in various in vitro and in vivo studies. Cinnamic acids with phenylpropenoic moiety are abundant in many natural resources. These are available in many forms, such as ferulic acid, caffeic acid, etc. They also have a variety of pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-amyloid, and neuroprotective properties. This chapter summarizes the role of naturally occurring cinnamic acids and their derivatives to develop the mechanistic aspects of neuroprotective therapeutics in neurodegenerative diseases. Future challenges are also discussed to provide beneficial information and therapeutic strategies.

Food colourants are important food additives which not only enhance the appearance of food, but also appetite and hold a very significant position in the food industry. These can be obtained from natural and synthetic sources, but synthetic sources are more popular, efficient and potential in its functional terms. Although food colourants don’t have any nutritional value, but their quantity and quality present in food materials imparts serious health risks. Earlier, studies reported that azo food colourants are injudiciously used in the food products and also developed suitable analytical methods for their detection in food materials. Further, evidences from various literatures suggested that food colourants which contains azo dyes are the causal factors for neurotoxicity, carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, hypersensitivity and therefore not safe for the human consumption. The present review article has been aimed to evaluate the toxicological profile of azo food colourants and associated adverse health impact. The findings of the study will add insightful facts to the literature and help the regulatory agencies to revisit and improve their toxicity testing procedures and exercise greater caution regarding continued approval of these dyes, and in the future approve only welltested and, safe dyes.