Herbal and Natural Compounds in Neuropharmacology: Biochemical Innovations of Biomolecules Used to Treat Epilepsy

A persistent neurological condition called epilepsy is typified by frequent, unplanned seizures brought on by aberrant brain electrical activity. Neuronal hyperexcitability and hypersynchrony are part of its pathogenesis and are frequently brought on by infections, birth abnormalities, brain trauma, or genetic alterations. Common indications and symptoms include convulsions, unconsciousness, anomalies of the senses, and behavioral disorders. The main diagnostic methods include clinical examination, electroencephalography (EEG), and neuroimaging techniques including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Common treatment options include vagus nerve stimulation, antiepileptic medications (AEDs), surgery, and nutritional therapy, including the ketogenic diet. Despite these choices, a significant number of people have drug-resistant epilepsy, highlighting the necessity for alternate therapies. Natural substances have drawn attention due to their possible anticonvulsant and neuroprotective qualities. Tanshinone IIA, curcumin, chrysin, apigenin, wogonin, quercetin, carvone, hesperidin, nantenine, osthole, genistein, piperine, triptolide, α-asarone, catechin, baicalin, naringin, vitexin, kaempferol, and fisetin have all showed encouraging preclinical findings.These phytochemicals have anticonvulsant properties because they alter GABAergic transmission, control ion channels, lessen neuroinflammation, and reduce oxidative stress. Their low toxicity and blood-brain barrier crossing make them attractive options for additional or alternative epilepsy therapy. To further understand their mechanisms, improve formulations, and show their value in clinical trials, more study is required.