Neurodegeneration is the processes resulting from the death and functional or structural loss of cells in the central nervous system, and neuroprotection can be described as an endeavor to sustain the maximum probable integrity of interactions in the brain. Prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), epilepsy, head trauma, and stroke is on increase, and appraisements by WHO advocate that the age-associated neurodegenerative disorders will be the world's third leading cause of death, after cardiovascular diseases and overtaking cancer by the year 2040. Since the NDs have a slow progressive nature with a complex pathophysiology, treatment strategies are available only at symptomatic level and, in fact, it is not possible, yet, to seize or revert these diseases.

The etiology is multifactorial, which is variable from genetic to environmental factors, and the mechanisms underlying these diseases are poorly elucidated. As the current treatments are inadequate and also require an enormous cost, NDs still represent a major challenge to modern drug research.

Relevantly, an intensive research is being conducted on neuroprotective effects of many plant species. Clinical applications, efficacy in humans and safety, also interactions of potential neuroprotective plant products are, therefore, of tremendous importance. On this occasion, plant scientists performing research linked to neurodegeneration are invited to contribute their results to this special issue. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• In vitro and in vivo evaluation of neuroprotective activity of traditionally used plants with their quality and compositional analysis
• Preclinical studies on neuroprotective effects of plants and their metabolites
• Clinical studies on neuroprotective effects of plants and their metabolites
• Structure-activity relationship of the molecules with neuroprotective potentials
• Neuron cell culture studies with plants and their metabolites
• Mechanism-based studies in neuroprotection by plant products
• Interactions, efficacies, and adverse effects of plant products with neuroprotective activity

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