Compositions and methods for preventing and treating central nervous system (CNS) diseases and disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, etc.). The composition includes an aqueous extract of the Momordica cochinchinensis seed, specifically total plant protein isolate containing Momordica cochinchinensis trypsin inhibitor II. The method of preventing/treating the CNS disease includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of the Momordica cochinchinensis seed extract to a patient. The seed extract functions as a nerve growth factor mimetic and can penetrate the BBB and initiate CNS neuronal outgrowth/regeneration.
