Neurodegenerative disorder is a serious condition that is caused by abnormal or no neurological function. Neurodegenerative disease is a major growing cause of mortality and morbidity
worldwide, especially in the elderly. After World War Ⅱ, eugenics term was exterminated from
medicines. Neurodegenerative disease is a genetically inherited disease. Lifestyle changes, environmental factors, and genetic modification, together or alone, are involved in the occurrence of
this disorder. The major examples of neurodegenerative disorders are Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s
disease, in which apoptosis and necrosis are the two major death pathways for neurons. It has been
determined from various studies that the etiology of the neurodegenerative disease involves the
role of oxidative stress and anti-oxidant defence system, which are prime factors associated with
the activation of signal transduction pathway that is responsible for the formation of synuclein in
the brain and manifestation of toxic reactions in the form of functional abnormality, which ultimately leads to the dysfunction of neuronal pathway or cell. There has not been much success in
the discovery of effective therapy to treat neurodegenerative diseases because the main cause of
abnormal functioning or death of neurons is not well known. However, the use of natural products
that are derived from plants has effective therapeutic potential against neurodegenerative disease.
The natural compounds with medicinal properties to prevent neurological dysfunction are curcumin, wolfberry, ginseng, and Withania somnifera. The selection and use of natural compounds are
based on their strong anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties against neurodegenerative disease. Herbal products have active constituents that play an important role in the prevention of
communication errors between neurons and neurotransmitters and their respective receptors in the
brain, which influence their function. Considering this, natural products have great potential
against neurodegenerative diseases. This article reviews the natural compounds used to treat neurodegenerative diseases and their mechanisms of action.
