Natural products and neurocognitive disorders: Mechanistic insights and research advances (Review)

Neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) are major conditions which impair the cognitive abilities of older adults and other populations worldwide, with incidence rising steadily every year. They constitute a group of acquired disorders characterized by progressive cognitive decline, encompassing delirium, mild and major NCD. These conditions exert wide‑ranging and profound adverse effects, including diminished quality of life, increased risks of falls, malnutrition, infections, reduced treatment adherence, and greater family caregiving and societal burdens. The pathogenesis of NCDs involves multiple coexisting factors and complex pathway interactions. Such heterogeneity and interwoven mechanisms contribute to the limited efficacy of existing pharmacological therapies. Current drugs such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N‑methyl‑D‑aspartate receptor antagonists can provide partial symptom relief but cannot fundamentally halt disease progression. Moreover, current drugs are limited by notable side effects and, importantly, no effective standard treatment strategies exist for mild cognitive impairment, postoperative cognitive dysfunction or delirium. Against this background, natural compounds with multi‑target mechanisms, diverse biological activities such as anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant, neurotrophic and synaptic regulatory activities, and relatively low toxicity, for example flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids and polyphenols, are emerging as promising therapeutic candidates and major research foci. The aim of the present review was to summarize the pathogenic mechanisms of NCDs and highlight recent advances in the study of natural products for treatment, thereby providing a theoretical and research foundation for future translational applications in clinical prevention and therapy.