Herbal Interventions in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review of Preclinical Studies

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain. With its incidence rising annually, the multi-mechanistic pathogenesis of PD presents new opportunities for the development of multi-target therapies. While previous studies have explored the therapeutic potential of natural products in PD, existing reviews often focus on single mechanisms or a limited number of compounds. While previous studies have explored the therapeutic potential of natural products in PD, existing reviews often focus on single mechanisms or a limited number of compounds. This article systematically evaluates preclinical studies published between 2018 and 2025, encompassing 32 bioactive components and 10 categories of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas. It highlights the therapeutic potential of TCM active ingredients for PD by examining key mechanisms, including oxidative stress, ferroptosis, neuroinflammation, gut microbiota imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. By integrating these insights, this review provides an interdisciplinary perspective to guide the development of next-generation botanical drugs for PD.