Therapeutic implications of anti-inflammatory natural products in Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder and is characterized by the formation of extraneuronal amyloid plaques and intraneuronal hyperphosphorylated tau proteins, which cause neuronal dysfunction and death. Hyperactivated astrocytes and microglia, referred to as neuroinflammation, have been documented as a prima facie mechanism of neurodegeneration in AD. Although several synthetic anti-inflammatory agents have been designed to ameliorate AD pathology, no agents have succeeded as potential drug candidates, largely owing to their adverse side effects. A wide range of studies have reported the anti-inflammatory potentials of various plant- and animal-based natural products, unveiling their therapeutic implications in managing AD. This chapter covers th major scientific work carried out in an attempt to discover the mechanisms of their action and understand their safety profiles. We hope to spread knowledge regarding the benefits of using these bioactive compounds against neuroinflammation in AD.