Sri Siddhartha Medical College

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by aggregates of α-synuclein and the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Current pharmaceutical therapies mainly alleviate symptoms without halting disease progression. Evidence suggests that traditional plant-based interventions may serve as supplementary therapies by targeting oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis. This review explores the neuroprotective properties of ten medicinal plants commonly used in traditional medicine: Bacopa monnieri, Curcuma longa, Mimosa pudica, Zingiber officinale, Ocimum sanctum, Emblica officinalis, Camellia sinensis, Cannabis sativa, Panax ginseng, and Withania somnifera. A systematic and comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified relevant in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. This study highlights the mechanisms by which plant-derived chemicals influence cellular pathways associated with PD, emphasising their therapeutic potential despite limited clinical validation. Studies have shown that bioactive compounds such as curcumin, bacoside, Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), cannabidiol, ginsenosides, and withanolides exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective effects in PD models. Nanotechnology offers promising strategy to enhance the efficacy of herbal compounds, addressing challenges of poor solubility, rapid metabolism, low bioavailability, and restricted blood-brain barrier penetration. Nano-delivery systems including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, and metal nanoparticles can improve stability, brain targeting, controlled release, and cellular uptake of these bioactives, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficiency while reducing systemic toxicity. Green-synthesized plant-based nanoparticles further provide synergistic neuroprotective benefits, positioning phyto-nanomedicine as a multi-target approach for PD therapy. However, extensive clinical studies are required to confirm safety and effectiveness. Parkinson’s disease leads to the loss of dopaminergic neurons and the buildup of α-synuclein. Plant-based compounds provide neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory benefits. Key protective pathways include PI3K/Akt, Nrf2/ARE, MAPK, and NF-κB. Traditional medicinal plants show neuroprotective effects in Parkinson’s disease. Phytochemicals target oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Nanoformulations improve bioavailability and brain delivery of herbal compounds.

Recent studies have highlighted the pivotal role of the kynurenine pathway (KP) in systemic inflammatory disorders. Although KP modulation has been explored in diseases such as dementia and schizophrenia, its therapeutic potential in rheumatologic diseases remains largely unexplored. The objective of this article is to explore the potential role of the galantamine-memantine combination, with or without N-acetylcysteine (NAC), in regulating KP metabolism and its possible relevance to the pathophysiology of rheumatologic diseases. This article proposes a novel therapeutic strategy involving a combination of galantamine, a modulator of nicotinic receptor, and memantine, a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, with or without NAC, to target KP dysfunction in rheumatologic diseases. Galantamine and memantine may exert synergistic neuroimmune effects by reducing the production of neurotoxic KP metabolites, such as quinolinic acid, while promoting protective branches of the pathway. NAC, through its antioxidant properties, may further support this approach by mitigating oxidative stress and restoring immune balance. This combined therapy seeks to address key mechanisms of inflammatory rheumatologic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. This multifaceted approach may represent a potential direction for the treatment of rheumatologic diseases by integrating metabolic, neuroimmune, and antioxidant pathways. If future studies support the proposed mechanistic interactions, galantamine-memantine combination could potentially be explored as an adjunctive strategy alongside existing therapies. However, its clinical impact on treatment requirements or health care costs remains unknown and requires investigation in well designed randomized controlled trials. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: A growing body of evidence in rheumatologic diseases implicates the kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolism. The galantamine-memantine combination, with or without N-acetylcysteine, through its regulatory action in KP could potentially be explored as an adjunctive strategy alongside existing therapies. Future randomized controlled trials are essential to establish efficacy, safety, and optimal patient selection.

Objective: To estimate the proportion of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and to assess its association with selected sociodemographic factors among engineering students in a professional college in Tumakuru city. Material and Methods: Using convenience sampling, a cross-sectional survey was done from April to June 2025 among 520 students in a professional college in Tumakuru city who were at least 18 years old. Those who had a history of mental illness were excluded. Sociodemographic information was gathered by a standardized questionnaire. Using a standardized self-report screening instrument, ADHD was evaluated. Chi-square test and descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data. p-values less than 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant. Results: The percentage of research participants with ADHD was 13.8%. Males were considerably more likely to have ADHD (16.8%) than females (11.4%) (p-value = 0.048). Younger age groups (18–19 years) were found to have statistically significant association with ADHD (p-value = 0.005). There was no discernible correlation between ADHD and the type of household or the study year. Conclusion: Younger age and males were found to be vital predictors of ADHD, which is particularly common among engineering students. In order to promote early detection and suitable psychological care, it is advised that universities implement regular screening and awareness programs.