Plant Extracts Shielding the Brain from Chemotherapy

Brain Boosters: Can Plant Extracts Fight Chemo-Induced Brain Fog?

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore how adaptogens, like those found in certain plant extracts, could offer a natural defense against chemotherapy's cognitive side effects."

Cancer treatments, while life-saving, often come with a range of side effects. Among these, cognitive impairment, commonly known as 'chemo brain' or 'brain fog,' is a significant concern for many patients. This condition can manifest as difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and overall mental fatigue, impacting daily life and overall well-being.

Traditional approaches to managing chemo brain often involve supportive therapies and cognitive rehabilitation. However, research is increasingly focusing on natural interventions, particularly adaptogens. Adaptogens are natural substances found in certain plants and herbs that are believed to help the body resist stressors of all kinds, whether physical, chemical, or biological. They have a long history of use in traditional medicine for promoting vitality and mental clarity.

Recent studies suggest that specific adaptogenic plant extracts may offer a promising avenue for combating chemo brain. These extracts are being investigated for their potential neuroprotective properties, which could help shield brain cells from the harmful effects of chemotherapy. Let’s dive deep on the role of plant extracts in maintaining cognitive sharpness during cancer treatment.

The Science Behind Adaptogens and Chemo Brain

Plant Extracts Shielding the Brain from Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs can affect the brain in several ways. They can directly damage brain cells, disrupt normal brain function, and trigger inflammation. These effects can lead to the cognitive symptoms associated with chemo brain. Adaptogens, on the other hand, are thought to work by:

Several studies have explored the potential of adaptogenic plant extracts in mitigating chemo brain. These studies often focus on specific extracts known for their neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing properties. Here are some examples:

Protecting neurons: Adaptogens may help shield brain cells from damage caused by chemotherapy drugs.
Reducing inflammation: Some adaptogens possess anti-inflammatory properties that can help quell brain inflammation.
Boosting neurotransmitters: Adaptogens may influence neurotransmitter levels in the brain, which can improve cognitive function.
Supporting neurogenesis: Adaptogens could promote the growth of new brain cells, helping to repair damage and enhance cognitive reserve.

A recent study delved into the impact of specific adaptogenic plant extracts on chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity in neuroglia cells. Neuroglia cells are essential for supporting neurons in the brain. The study aimed to determine if adaptogens could protect these cells from the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs like 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FEC), a common combination used in cancer treatment.

A Promising Path Forward

While research is ongoing, the potential of adaptogenic plant extracts in combating chemo brain is encouraging. These natural compounds may offer a complementary approach to traditional treatments, helping to protect brain cells, reduce inflammation, and enhance cognitive function during cancer therapy. As research continues to unveil the mechanisms behind adaptogens and their impact on the brain, we can look forward to more effective and natural strategies for managing chemo brain and improving the quality of life for cancer patients.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.phymed.2018.11.004, Alternate LINK

Title: Adaptogens In Chemobrain (Part Ii): Effect Of Plant Extracts On Chemotherapy-Induced Cytotoxicity In Neuroglia Cells

Subject: Complementary and alternative medicine

Journal: Phytomedicine

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Ean-Jeong Seo, Sabine M. Klauck, Thomas Efferth, Alexander Panossian

Published: 2019-05-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is 'chemo brain' or 'brain fog,' and how does chemotherapy contribute to this condition?

Chemotherapy drugs can negatively impact the brain by directly damaging brain cells, disrupting normal brain function, and triggering inflammation. These effects can manifest as difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and overall mental fatigue. This cluster of symptoms is often referred to as 'chemo brain' or 'brain fog.' Traditional approaches involve supportive therapies and cognitive rehabilitation, but research is exploring natural interventions like adaptogens.

What exactly are adaptogens, and why are they being researched in the context of cancer treatment?

Adaptogens are natural substances found in certain plants and herbs that may help the body resist stressors of all kinds, whether physical, chemical, or biological. These compounds have a history of use in traditional medicine for promoting vitality and mental clarity. They are being investigated for potential neuroprotective properties, which could help shield brain cells from the harmful effects of chemotherapy. It is important to note that research is still ongoing.

How might adaptogenic plant extracts work to counteract the cognitive side effects of chemotherapy?

Research suggests adaptogenic plant extracts may help protect neurons from damage caused by chemotherapy drugs, reduce inflammation in the brain, influence neurotransmitter levels to improve cognitive function, and support neurogenesis (the growth of new brain cells) to help repair damage and enhance cognitive reserve. Studies focus on specific extracts known for their neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing properties.

What kind of studies are being done on chemotherapy and neuroglia cells?

A recent study investigated the impact of specific adaptogenic plant extracts on chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity in neuroglia cells. Neuroglia cells are essential for supporting neurons in the brain. The study aimed to determine if adaptogens could protect these cells from the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs like 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FEC), a common combination used in cancer treatment. This research is crucial in understanding how adaptogens can mitigate the harmful effects of chemotherapy on brain cells.

What is the outlook for using adaptogenic plant extracts to help with the mental cloudiness and cognitive problems after chemotherapy?

While research is still ongoing, adaptogenic plant extracts may offer a complementary approach to traditional cancer treatments. These natural compounds may help protect brain cells, reduce inflammation, and enhance cognitive function during cancer therapy. As research continues, there is hope for more effective and natural strategies for managing cognitive impairments and improving the quality of life for cancer patients. It's important to consult with healthcare professionals for personalized advice and treatment plans.