Plant-derived compounds and neurodegenerative diseases: Different mechanisms of action with therapeutic potential.
Neuroscience February 6, 2025 Carolina Echeverry, Mariana Pazos, Maximiliano Torres-Pérez et al. 9 citations
Neurodegenerative diseases, whose main risk factor is age, are increasing worldwide as life expectancy rises. Although causes remain unknown in about 90% of cases, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, altered proteostasis, and inflammation are key contributors to neuronal death. No cure exists; current therapies only relieve symptoms. This review examines three plant-derived compounds with neuroprotective potential used in folk medicine: quercetin (QCT), cannabidiol (CBD), and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Each acts through distinct mechanisms—QCT as an antioxidant, CBD as an anti-inflammatory, and DMT as a promoter of neuroplasticity. The authors suggest that combining these compounds or targeting different disease stages could yield effective treatments.