Levodopa and Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds in Parkinson's Disease: Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Future Perspectives

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#humans #parkinson-disease #levodopa #antiparkinson-agents #animals

Levodopa and Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds in Parkinson's Disease: Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Future Perspectives

Aktaş et al., 2025 | CNS Neurosci Ther | Systematic Review

Citation

Aktaş Emre, Hanağası Haşmet Ayhan, Özgentürk Nehir Özdemir. Levodopa and Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds in Parkinson's Disease: Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Future Perspectives. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2025-Aug;31(8):e70540. doi:10.1111/cns.70540

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, resulting in dopamine deficiency and motor dysfunction. While levodopa (L-DOPA) remains the gold standard for symptomatic treatment, its long-term administration is associated with complications such as motor fluctuations, dyskinesia, and oxidative stress. Given these limitations, interest has grown in plant-derived bioactive compounds for their potential neuroprotective and disease-modifying effects. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, focusing on peer-reviewed studies published between 2023 and March 2025. The inclusion criteria targeted in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies as well as clinical trials that directly compared levodopa with plant-derived compounds in the context of PD. Key search terms included "Parkinson's disease," "levodopa," "phytochemicals," and "plant-based neuroprotection". RESULTS: Recent studies have highlighted several classes of plant-based compounds-including polyphenols (resveratrol, curcumin, EGCG), flavonoids (quercetin, apigenin, naringenin), alkaloids (berberine, caffeine, L-DOPA derived from Mucuna pruriens), and terpenoids (ginkgolide B, celastrol)-as potential neuroprotective agents. These compounds exert multiple actions, such as reducing oxidative stress, blocking neuroinflammation, preventing α-synuclein aggregation, and protecting mitochondria. Although levodopa effectively addresses motor symptoms, these phytochemicals may complement conventional therapy by targeting underlying disease processes. CONCLUSIONS: Although levodopa is indispensable for the symptomatic management of PD, emerging evidence supports the integration of plant-derived bioactive compounds as adjunct therapies with disease-modifying potential. Future research should prioritize improving bioavailability, developing standardized formulations, and conducting long-term clinical trials to evaluate the translational applicability of these natural agents in Parkinson's disease therapy.

Key Findings

Recent studies have highlighted several classes of plant-based compounds-including polyphenols (resveratrol, curcumin, EGCG), flavonoids (quercetin, apigenin, naringenin), alkaloids (berberine, caffeine, L-DOPA derived from Mucuna pruriens), and terpenoids (ginkgolide B, celastrol)-as potential neuroprotective agents. These compounds exert multiple actions, such as reducing oxidative stress, blocking neuroinflammation, preventing α-synuclein aggregation, and protecting mitochondria. Although lev

Outcomes Measured

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Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition stress

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Parkinson Disease
  • Levodopa
  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Animals
  • Phytochemicals
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: berberine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09