Protective Effects and Mechanism of Radix Polygalae Against Neurological Diseases as Well as Effective Substance

Abstract

Radix Polygalae (also known as Yuanzhi in China) is the dried rhizome of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. or Polygala sibirica L., which is a famous Chinese herb and has been widely used for centuries in traditional medicines including expectorants, tonics, tranquilizers, antipsychotic, and so on. This article reviews the neuroprotective effects of Radix Polygalae in preclinical models of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, especially anxiety, depression, declining cognition, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD). The chemical composition of Radix Polygalae as well as the underlying mechanisms of action were also reviewed. We found that Radix Polygalae possesses a broad range of beneficial effects on the abovementioned conditions. The multifold mechanisms of action include several properties such as antioxidant and associated apoptotic effects; anti-inflammatory and associated apoptotic effects; neurogenesis, regeneration, differentiation, and neuronal plasticity improvement; hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) regulation; neurotransmitter release; and receptor activation (A2AR, NMDA-R, and GluR). Nevertheless, the detailed mechanisms underlying this array of pharmacological effects observed in vitro and in vivo still need further investigation to attain a coherent neuroprotective profile.

Constituents, pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic studies, clinical applications, and safety profile on the classical prescription Kaixinsan

“…It was originally applied for the treatment of dementia and morbid forgetfulness and is made up of Polygalae Radix (PR), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (GR), Poria, and Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (ATR) ( Zhang et al, 2019 ). In light of its long history and efficacy, KXS is listed in a catalog of ancient classic prescriptions (the first batch) in China ( Chen et al, 2018 ; Jiang et al, 2021 ). According to TCM theories, dysfunctions of the spleen cannot nourish the heart, and thus produce dampness to block the heart, which leads to psychiatric diseases with the pivotal symptoms of dizziness, anhedonia, amnesia, and morbid forgetfulness ( Pei et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Its traditional efficacies include soothing the nerves, improving intelligence, dispelling phlegm, and reducing swelling ( Chen et al, 2022 ). With wide-ranging pharmacological properties that include antidepressant, neuroprotective, hypnotic-sedative, antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antiaging effects, it is broadly used in clinics to treat forgetfulness, depression, insomnia, cough, and palpitation ( Jiang et al, 2021 ; Zhang et al, 2023 ). Moreover, PR is often combined with Poria, and ATR to by eliminating phlegm and dampness and decreasing gastrointestinal toxicity ( Sun et al, 2020 ).…”

Mechanisms of the Ping-wei-san plus herbal decoction against Parkinson’s disease: Multiomics analyses

“…According to previous studies, TCMCs play a therapeutic role in the treatment of neurological diseases such as PD and depression through the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis or antioxidative, ferroptosis and autophagy, etc. (9)(10)(11)(12). Because of the broadly effective active components of TCMCs, their mechanism of action is extremely complex, which is undoubtedly also the advantage of TCMCs in treating diseases.…”

Extract identification and evaluation of the cytotoxic activity of Polygala fallax Hemsl in Heilongjiang ethnic medicine against tumors

“…It has the effects of expelling wind and dampness, tonifying deficiency, relieving swelling, regulating menstruation, and promoting blood circulation. Indications: cold, rheumatic pain, tuberculosis, edema, postpartum weakness, irregular menstruation, traumatic injury [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”