Traditional Knowledge Meets Modern Science in the Validation of Medicinal Plants for Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and depression, remain a major global health challenge due to their complex pathophysiology and the limitations of current therapeutic options. Traditional medical systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and ethnomedicine have long employed medicinal plants for cognitive enhancement, seizure management, and mental health, yet these practices were historically underexplored by modern science. Advances in phytochemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, and clinical research now enable systematic validation of these plant-based therapies. Bioactive phytoconstituents such as withanolides, bacosides, ginkgolides, curcumin, asiaticosides, and cannabinoids demonstrate neuroprotective properties through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cholinesterase-inhibitory, and neurotransmitter-modulating mechanisms. Increasing evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies supports their therapeutic potential, while novel approaches including nanotechnology and advanced analytical tools enhance their efficacy and bioavailability. However, challenges persist regarding standardization, safety, dosage optimization, and regulatory approval. Bridging traditional knowledge with modern scientific validation not only strengthens the credibility of ethnopharmacology but also provides a promising pathway for the development of safe, effective, and multi-targeted therapies for neurological disorders.