Anti-depression Effect and Mechanism of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Psychiatric diseases represented by depression have gradually become one of the major health problems of people in the fast-paced, high-pressure society. Severe cases can cause suicides, huge harm or disaster to families and the society. Although modern medicine has made great progress in the field of anti-depressant drug therapy, depression still cannot be cured. At the same time, traditional Chinese medicines(TCM) with a definite curative effect, few adverse reactions, and mild efficacy have received increasing attention. TCM valerianae Jatanmansi Rhizoma et Radix has been widely used to alleviate sleep disorder, and its root extract is popularly known as valerian and used as a mild sedative for a long time in European. Tagara takes Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix as the key ingredient for treatment of depression-type insomnia, and is available abroad. It is reported that iridoid, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids or extract from Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix has a superior anti-depression activity in both animal and clinical trials, and the mechanism is mainly related to the regulation of neurotransmitters in the brain, the improvement of the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the resistance of free radicals and inflammation, and the neuroprotective effect. However, there is still lack of report on the anti-depression system and in-depth research of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to systematically collect and summarize the anti-depressant activity and explain the relevant mechanisms, so as to provide reference for the further development of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix medicinal resources.