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Signaling pathways driving multiple sclerosis: From mechanisms to natural‑product interventions

Ahmed M El-Dessouki1, Heba Nasr Shalaby2, Samar S Khalaf3

  • 1Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University, 6th of October City, Giza 12566, Egypt.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie
|May 25, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Natural products show promise for managing multiple sclerosis (MS) by offering anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits. Further research is needed to overcome clinical translation challenges for these complementary therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated central nervous system disorder causing inflammation and neurodegeneration.
  • Current disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) manage MS symptoms but do not halt disease progression or reverse neurological damage.
  • This therapeutic gap fuels interest in natural products as complementary MS treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the scientific rationale for using natural products in managing multiple sclerosis.
  • To review key disease mechanisms in MS relevant to natural product interventions.
  • To identify future research needs for integrating natural compounds into evidence-based MS care.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical and clinical studies on natural products for MS.
  • Analysis of the anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties of phytochemicals.
  • Examination of MS pathogenesis pathways targeted by natural compounds, including oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Main Results:

  • Natural compounds exhibit multifunctional properties beneficial for experimental MS models.
  • Phytochemicals demonstrate potential in targeting key MS pathogenesis pathways.
  • Preclinical data suggest natural products could offer complementary therapeutic benefits for MS.

Conclusions:

  • Natural products present a promising avenue for complementary or adjunctive MS management.
  • Addressing challenges like dosing variability and bioavailability is crucial for clinical translation.
  • Further large-scale clinical trials are essential to establish evidence-based integration of natural products in MS therapy.
Keywords:
Anti-inflammatoryAntioxidantDrug discoveryImmunomodulatoryMultiple sclerosisNeuroprotective

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