Targeting cellular senescence with Traditional Chinese Medicine: advances in neurodegenerative disorder treatment

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD), represent formidable health challenges, particularly within aging populations. Cellular senescence, marked by irreversible cell cycle arrest and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, has emerged as a crucial factor in the pathogenesis of these disorders. The accumulation of senescent cells in the nervous system exacerbates neuroinflammation, impairs neuronal function, and accelerates tissue degeneration, all of which are key features of NDDs. In this context, bioactive components derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have attracted significant attention for their potential to modulate cellular senescence and alleviate neurodegeneration. This review examines the shared molecular signaling pathways linking cellular senescence to NDDs, explores the mechanisms by which TCM-derived compounds-such as ginsenosides, ginkgo biloba extract, and curcumin-intervene in senescence-related processes, and discusses the translational potential of these natural compounds for clinical application.