NATURAL PHYTOCHEMICALS IN NEUROPROTECTION AND PERIPHERAL NERVE REGENERATION: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66021/pakmcr1446Keywords:
Nerve regeneration, Axonal repair Neuroprotection, Schwann cells, Antioxidant activity, Anti-inflammatory agents, Neurotrophic factors, Plant-derived compounds, Natural therapeutics, Functional recoveryAbstract
Peripheral nerve injuries often lead to functional loss and slow recovery due to limited natural regeneration. Recent research highlights the potential of phytochemical bioactive compounds derived from plants in promoting nerve repair through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neurotrophic mechanisms. Compounds such as quercetin, berberine, ginsenoside Rg1, salidroside, glycyrrhizin, and asiatic acid have shown the ability to enhance Schwann cell proliferation, modulate growth factors like BDNF, NGF, and GDNF, and support axonal regeneration in experimental models. Several plant extracts, including Hericium erinaceus, Alpinia oxyphylla, Centella asiatica, Lycium barbarum, and Radix Hedysari, have demonstrated complementary benefits by improving nerve function and promoting structural recovery. Despite these encouraging findings, challenges such as poor bioavailability, limited dosage standardization, and lack of extensive clinical data restrict their therapeutic use. Continued research focusing on molecular pathways, toxicity profiles, and controlled clinical trials may enable the translation of these naturally derived compounds into effective treatments for peripheral nerve injuries.
