Research Progress of Natural Components Improving Parkinson's Disease by Regulating the Oxidative Stress

Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder globally, places a considerable burden on patients because of its progressive and disabling course. Although current pharmacological treatments offer only transient symptomatic relief and do not effectively arrest the underlying disease process, oxidative stress has been recognized as a pivotal contributor to PD pathogenesis and thus represents a key therapeutic target. Over the past decade, a growing body of evidence has indicated that selected natural compounds can ameliorate PD-related manifestations by modulating oxidative stress. Their putative neuroprotective actions and associated molecular mechanisms have been partially characterized in preclinical investigations, including in vitro cell models and in vivo animal studies. Nevertheless, the majority of current studies on these natural components are still confined to the preclinical setting, and their clinical efficacy has yet to be substantiated by rigorous, high-quality evidence. Robust randomized controlled trials with multicenter participation, adequate sample sizes, and extended follow-up are urgently required to facilitate their safe and effective translation into clinical practice. This review highlights natural compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, and alkaloids, and synthesizes current knowledge regarding their neuroprotective potential and mechanisms, with the goal of informing future PD-focused research on natural products and guiding the development of novel therapeutic strategies.