Dihydromyricetin and Neuroinflammation: Implications for CNS Disorders and Therapeutic Development

Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a bioactive polyphenol with broad therapeutic potential, including strong anti-inflammatory activity. Importantly, DHM has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), enabling pharmacological activity within the central nervous system (CNS) and positioning it as a candidate for CNS disorders in which neuroinflammation plays a central role, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke. Therapeutics such as DHM, which address neuroinflammation, are of increasing interest. Across CNS disease models, DHM's effects show recurring convergence on NF-κB suppression, NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition, and autophagy regulation, alongside context-specific mechanisms involving oxidative stress, ferroptosis, neurotrophic signaling, and peripheral gut-CNS communication. This review examines the evidence for DHM as a neuroinflammatory modulator, focusing on the mechanisms by which it exerts its therapeutic effects. By doing so, we aim to support its translational potential as a natural product for improving human health.