Anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective effects of acteoside (verbascoside) in experimental models of neurodegeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Acteoside (verbascoside) is a phenylpropanoid glycoside widely distributed in medicinal plants and has been extensively investigated for its neuroprotective potential in preclinical models of neurological disorders; however, a comprehensive quantitative synthesis of its efficacy and underlying mechanisms has been lacking. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the neuroprotective effects of acteoside across experimental models of neurodegeneration by synthesizing behavioral, biochemical, inflammatory, oxidative stress, and neurotrophic outcomes. Pooled analyses demonstrated that acteoside significantly improved behavioral performance, including anxiety-related behavior and cognitive function, as assessed using the elevated plus maze and Morris water maze paradigms. Acteoside robustly enhanced endogenous antioxidant defenses by increasing superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione levels, while significantly reducing lipid peroxidation, indicating effective mitigation of oxidative stress. In parallel, acteoside markedly suppressed neuroinflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β, reduced brain water content, and attenuated glial activation, reflecting inhibition of neuroinflammatory signaling and preservation of blood–brain barrier integrity. Notably, acteoside significantly increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels, suggesting activation of pro-survival and synaptic plasticity pathways. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that acteoside confers robust, multitarget neuroprotection through coordinated antioxidant, anti-neuroinflammatory, and neurotrophic mechanisms, supporting its therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders.