Pharmacological benefits of active components of natural products against traumatic brain injury - A review

Background: Since the last decade, the therapeutic potentials of natural phenolic antioxidants in human diseases associated with oxidative damage have received great attention. Within the last few years, a rapidly growing number of natural compounds with neuro-protective effects have been described. Many efforts have been made to explore the mechanisms for the neuro-protective properties of natural compounds. This review focuses on the beneficial effects of natural products in treating traumatic brain injury (TBI). Numerous epidemiological studies have shown consistent health benefits through the consumption of fruits, vegetables and nuts. In this review, we have summarized the protective effects of natural compounds [apocynin, (-)-epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), baicalein, caffeic acid, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, hydroxysaffloryellow A, osthole, oxy-resveratrol, pycnogenol, resveratrol, salvianolicacid B, triptolide and wogonin], and omega-3 fatty acid, particularly docosahexaenoic acid and its metabolites, may be used as personalized medicine against TBI and we have also discussed some of the barricades in translating these biofunctional compounds into relevant therapeutics for TBI. Conclusion: The benefits of natural products for traumatic brain injury show high inter-individual variability in their therapeutic effects and thus, this article addresses the intersection between novel therapeutics for traumatic brain injury and personalized medicine that will allow a broader range of interventions including the evidence-based natural products.