Bioactive compounds and traditional herbal medicine in the treatment of dementia

Modern pharmacological treatments for dementia, a progressive neurological disease that has a substantial worldwide burden, only slightly alleviate symptoms. Rich in bioactive substances such as polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, and saponins, traditional herbal remedies have demonstrated encouraging neuroprotective benefits. Compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiamyloidogenic, and cholinergic-enhancing qualities include curcumin (from Curcuma longa), epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from green tea, huperzine A (from Huperzia serrata), and ginsenosides (from Panax ginseng). Clinical research has shown improvements in neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognition in people with mild-to-moderate dementia, including studies using Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 (240 mg/day). Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated reduced tau and amyloid deposition with bioavailable formulations such as Theracurmin. Therapeutic potential is enhanced by developments in nanotechnology and phytopharmaceutical delivery technologies, despite pharmacokinetic challenges. Synergistic advantages may result from integrative treatments that combine conventional and herbal therapies. These plant-based therapies show potential as supplements in the comprehensive treatment of dementia, with strict standardization and clinical confirmation.