AccScience Publishing / AN / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/AN025080016
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REVIEW ARTICLE

Neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects of Sambucus nigra: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential

Amirreza Beirami1 ,  Maral Hasanzadeh1 ,  Abbas Aliaghaei1*
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1 Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Advanced Neurology, 025080016 https://doi.org/10.36922/AN025080016
Received: 22 February 2025 | Revised: 28 April 2025 | Accepted: 22 May 2025 | Published online: 5 June 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
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Abstract

An essential indicator of neurodegenerative diseases is progressive neuronal degradation, often leading to cognitive and motor deficits. Recent studies have highlighted the Sambucus genus, particularly Sambucus nigra (elderberry [EB]), commonly known as a black elder, as a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential neuroregenerative effects. This review evaluates the potential of EB in mitigating inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurodegenerative processes. EB’s rich polyphenolic profile – including terpenoids, flavanols, and anthocyanins – has been shown to enhance antioxidant defenses, protect neurons from oxidative damage, and stimulate neurogenesis. Furthermore, bioactive compounds in EB have been found to promote the release of neurotrophic factors, which play a crucial role in neuronal survival and repair. However, challenges such as low bioavailability, limited blood–brain barrier permeability, and the lack of standardized dosing guidelines for EB must be addressed in the future studies. In this review, relevant articles were identified through keyword searches in PubMed and Web of Science, supplemented with reference mining and citation tracking. As this is not a systematic review, only those citations pertinent to the specific requirements of the review were included. Particular attention is given to the mechanisms by which EB-derived compounds may support autophagy and modulate the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling pathway, two critical defense strategies against neurodegeneration. These findings provide a foundation for future investigations into the therapeutic potential of EB in managing neurodegenerative disorders.

Keywords
Elderberry
Oxidative stress
Neuroprotection
Neurodegenerative disease
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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