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A comprehensive review on schizophrenia: epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, conventional treatments, and proposed natural compounds used for management

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex, comprehensible mental condition that creates alienation from reality. SCZ is a mental disease, which is marked by progressive deficits in working memory, attention, and executive functioning. Because the disease's etiology is unknown, current psychotherapy and pharmacological treatments merely treat symptoms and do not provide a cure. SCZ symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized behavior, and lack of desire. Long-term use of antipsychotic (antagonists at multiple G-protein-coupled receptors) (mGPCR antagonists) medicines for therapy has negative health consequences and discourages patients from taking regular medication. Ancient herbal therapies are regaining popularity in disease management due to their natural origins, less side effects, and cost-effectiveness. The various types of phytochemicals include alkaloids, glycosides, polyphenols, terpenes and terpenoids, phytosterols, cannabinoids, and carotenoids could be used as mGPCR antagonists. In this review, we documented the possibility of employing natural compounds as an alternative therapy to treat schizophrenia-related symptoms and cognitive impairments.

Source: Naunyn-Schmiedeberg s Archives of Pharmacology

DOI: 10.1007/s00210-025-04351-0

Authors: Alaa Anwar, Aya M. Mustafa, Kareem Abdou, Mostafa A. Rabie, Riham A. El-Shiekh, Ahmed M. El-Dessouki