Chinese Pharmacopoeia Revisited: A Review of Anti-Depression Herbal Sources

Abstract

Depression, which can be accompanied by many fatal diseases and a low life quality, has become the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. However, Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the most authoritative and evidence-based encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), could contain leads and insights into the development of new antidepressant drugs. In this work, nine herbal medicines with ‘dispel melancholy functions’ specifically documented in Chinese Pharmacopoeia have been comprehensively reviewed with respect to clinical trials, and phytochemical and pharmacological aspects. The nine drugs are Rosae Chinensis Flos, Croci Stigma, Albiziae Cortex and Flos, Roase Rugosae Flos, Curcumae Radix, Hyperici Perforati Herba, Cyperi Rhizoma and Bupleuri Radix. The mechanisms of action of their functional antidepressant compounds, including gallic acid, hypericin, kaempferol, crocetin, crocin, quercetin, luteolin, isorhamnetin, curcumin, hyperforin, adhyperforin, catechin, rutin, puerarin, and saikosaponins A and D, have been collected and discussed. These traditional Chinese herbs and their active compounds provide a promising resource to develop effective new antidepressant drugs in future. Moreover, mechanistic investigations, safety verification and large-scale clinical trials are still expected to finally transform such TCM-based antidepressant resources to new drugs for patients suffering from depression.

Saffron the “Red Gold” and Its CNS Activity: A Challenge for Future Applications in Nutraceuticals

“…Safron's claimed efects can be related to its complex group of constituents ranging from the aldehydic compound safranal to the carotenoids related to crocetin and crocins as the most known. Some preclinical studies have evidenced some possible antidepressant efects of crocin and crocetin, two of the major pigments of safron [5,8,9]. Clinical pilot studies evidenced the antidepressant efects of safron extracts, but standardization and chemical composition can be a challenge.…”

“…Clinical pilot studies evidenced the antidepressant efects of safron extracts, but standardization and chemical composition can be a challenge. Furthermore, more extensive studies are needed to establish possible efcacy in this area [8].…”

Natural Plant Remedies for Depression During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Update Review

“…Natural compound from the plant has several pharmacological activities such as anti-depression activity, Serotonins compound and another alkaloid shows relevant effect for this activity. One the other hand, herbal medicines used popularly for thousands of years are the clearest source or reference for the application of therapeutically effective medicines [22]. Traditional herbal medicines can consist of a combination of several herbs or single plant application, therefore have a promising candidate for treating depression with high safety [23][24][25][26][27].…”