Natural products: Potential therapeutic agents in multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease, which usually caused by inflammation, demyelination, and axonal injury. The currently available medications for multiple sclerosis do not directly promote myelin sheath repair. Therefore, many researches have attempted to achieve better therapeutic effects through promoting remyelination. Natural products not only alleviate clinical symptoms, but also have the unique advantages of protecting and repairing effects on nervous system. We here present a systematic review on published papers about treating multiple sclerosis by natural products, aiming to provide comprehensive information on natural products in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Highlights • Natural products (NPs) are effective in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). • NPs inhibit inflammation and regulate the immune response in MS. • NPs protect the central nervous system in MS. • NPs repair damaged myelin sheath in MS. • Anti-MS mechanisms (anti-inflammatory, immune regulation, neuroprotection and nervous system repairing) of NPs are analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]