Parkinson's disease: oxidative stress and therapeutic approaches.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, caused by reduced levels of catecholamines and oxidative stress. Symptoms seen in the disease include tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural disability. Oxidative stress plays a key role in neurodegeneration and motor abnormalities seen in PD. Altered levels of the protein caused by these changes lead to defective ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Neurodegeneration seen in PD and Canavan disease has a common mechanism. Recent studies suggest that herbal medicines can improve molecular changes and motor functions seen in PD.