Therapeutic Potential of Vitexin and Isovitexin in Central Nervous System Disorders: A Preclinical Systematic Review

Abstract

Central nervous system (CNS) disorders are complex conditions involving oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurotransmitter imbalance, necessitating the development of multi-target therapeutic strategies. Plant-derived flavonoids such as vitexin (apigenin-8-C-glucoside) and isovitexin have gained increasing attention due to their potential neuroprotective properties. This preclinical systematic review evaluates the therapeutic potential of these compounds in CNS disorders. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2000 and April 2023, including in-vitro and in-vivo experimental investigations assessing neuroprotective, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, anxiolytic, and anti-neurodegenerative effects. A total of 20 studies met the inclusion criteria, predominantly involving in-vivo animal models. The findings indicate that vitexin and isovitexin exert significant neuroprotective effects through antioxidant activity, modulation of neuroinflammatory pathways, regulation of neurotransmitter systems, and inhibition of neuronal apoptosis. Beneficial outcomes were consistently observed in experimental models of epilepsy, depression, anxiety, ischemic brain injury, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, the available evidence is limited to preclinical studies with variable methodological quality and absence of clinical data. In conclusion, vitexin and isovitexin demonstrate promising multi-target neuroprotective potential, but further clinical validation and safety evaluation are required to support their therapeutic application in humans.