Title:Recent Updates in Imperative Natural Compounds for Healthy Brain and Nerve Function: A Systematic Review of Implications for Multiple Sclerosis
Volume: 18
Issue: 13
Author(s): Nima Sanadgol, Shahram Shahraki Zahedani, Mohammad Sharifzadeh, Roghayeh Khalseh, Gullam Reza Barbari and Mohammad Abdollahi*
Affiliation:
- Toxicology and Diseases Group, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,Iran
Keywords:
Alternative medicine, demyelination, natural products, multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, remyelination,
systematic review.
Abstract: Background: The evolution of the Green movement in western society has changed attitudes
in the general population who now perceive natural compounds as being inherently harmless and
more desirable than artificial chemical products.
Objective: Considering the growing interest towards introducing naturally emerged medicines, the
purpose of this review was to overview the ongoing research into prevention and treatment of multiple
sclerosis (MS) lesions.
Method: This review was carried out by searching bibliographic databases such as PubMed and Scopus
for studies reported between 1st January 2008 to 30th January 2016 on MS patients or animal
models of MS, investigating the beneficial effects of natural compounds in MS treatment. In this updated
systematic review, the search terms were “multiple sclerosis” or “neurodegeneration” and
(“natural compounds” or “medicinal plants”, “traditional medicine” or “native medicine”).
Results: Studies with vitamins (A, B12, D, H), minerals (selenium and lithium), n-3 PUFAs, lipoic
acid, statins, resveratrol, marijuana, EGCG and some probiotics have shown significant helpful effects
in MS by preventing or delaying the onset of disease. Other natural compounds such as xanthines,
anthocyanins, glucosinolates, isoflavones, organosulfurs, steroid glycosides, and alkaloids have
also shown protective effects in the treatment of MS in animal models. Adverse effects were also reported
in some of the experiments.
Conclusion: Further studies with a focus on the molecular mechanisms of the protective natural compounds
are needed to decrease possible side effects and to develop new medicines for MS. Apigenin,
chrysin, baicalein, cyanidin, flavone glycoside, daidzein, coumestrol, sulforaphane, bee venom and
huperzine A are the candidates for more prospective investigations.
