Targeting Neuro-inflammation with Herbal Compounds: An Emerging Strategy for Brain Disorder

Abstract

Neuroinflammation has emerged as a key pathological feature underlying several brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. The sustained activation of microglia and astrocytes leads to the excessive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and reactive oxygen species, resulting in oxidative stress, synaptic dysfunction, and neuronal loss. Conventional anti-inflammatory therapies often show limited efficacy in the central nervous system due to poor blood–brain barrier penetration and systemic side effects. In recent years, herbal compounds have gained attention as promising modulators of neuroinflammation owing to their multitargeted mechanisms, antioxidant properties, and favorable safety profiles. Phytochemicals such as curcumin, quercetin, naringenin, Ginkgo biloba, and ashwagandha exhibit potent neuroprotective actions by regulating pathways such as NF-κB, MAPK, and Nrf2, thereby reducing cytokine production andoxidative injury. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms of neuroinflammation and explores how herbal compounds can counteract these processes to prevent or mitigate neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric conditions. It also discusses challenges in formulation, bioavailability, and clinical translation, highlighting the future potential of plant-based therapeutics as an emerging strategy for targeting neuroinflammation in brain disorders.