Ginsenoside Rg3 modulates spatial memory and fear memory extinction by the HPA axis and BDNF-TrkB pathway in a rat post-traumatic stress disorder

Brain region-specific roles of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in social stress-induced depressive-like behavior

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is a key factor in stress adaptation and avoidance of a social stress behavioral response. Recent studies have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in stressed mice is brain region-specific, particularly involving the corticolimbic system, including the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus. Determining how brain-derived neurotrophic factor participates in stress processing in different brain regions will deepen our understanding of social stress psychopathology. In this review, we discuss the expression and regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in stress-sensitive brain regions closely related to the pathophysiology of depression. We focused on associated molecular pathways and neural circuits, with special attention to the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-tropomyosin receptor kinase B signaling pathway and the ventral tegmental area-nucleus accumbens dopamine circuit. We determined that stress-induced alterations in brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels are likely related to the nature, severity, and duration of stress, especially in the above-mentioned brain regions of the corticolimbic system. Therefore, BDNF might be a biological indicator regulating stress-related processes in various brain regions.

Exploring the transformative impact of traditional Chinese medicine on depression: Insights from animal models

Depression, a prevalent and complex mental health condition, presents a significant global health burden. Depression is one of the most frequent mental disorders; deaths from it account for 14.3% of people worldwide. In recent years, the integration of complementary and alternative medicine, including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has gained attention as a potential avenue for addressing depression. This comprehensive review critically assesses the efficacy of TCM interventions in alleviating depressive symptoms. An in-depth look at different research studies, clinical trials, and meta-analyses is used in this review to look into how TCM practices like herbal formulations, acupuncture, and mind-body practices work. The review looks at the quality of the evidence, the rigor of the methods, and any possible flaws in the current studies. This gives us an idea of where TCM stands right now in terms of treating depression. This comprehensive review aims to assess the efficacy of TCM interventions in alleviating depressive symptoms. In order to learn more about their possible healing effects, the study also looks into how different types of TCM work, such as herbal formulas, acupuncture, and mind-body practices.

Advancements in research on the effects of panax notoginseng saponin constituents in ameliorating learning and memory disorders

Learning and memory disorder is a cluster of symptoms caused by neuronal aging and other diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are a series of saponins derived from the natural active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that have neuroprotective effects on the central nervous system. In this paper, we review the ameliorative effects and mechanisms of Panax notoginseng saponin-like components on learning and memory disorders to provide valuable references and insights for the development of new drugs for the treatment of learning and memory disorders. Our summary results suggest that Panax ginseng saponins have significant effects on improving learning and memory disorders, and these effects and potential mechanisms are mediated by their anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, β-amyloid lowering, mitochondrial homeostasis in vivo, neuronal structure and function improving, neurogenesis promoting, neurotransmitter release regulating, and probiotic homeostasis in vivo activities. These findings suggest the potential of Panax notoginseng saponin-like constituents as drug candidates for improving learning and memory disorders.

The protective role of ginsenoside Rg3 in heart diseases and mental disorders

Ginsenoside Rg3, a compound derived from Panax ginseng C. A. Mey., is increasingly recognized for its wide range of pharmacological effects. Under the worldwide healthcare challenges posed by heart diseases, Rg3 stands out as a key subject in modern research on Chinese herbal medicine, offering a novel approach to therapy. Mental illnesses are significant contributors to global disease mortality, and there is a well-established correlation between cardiac and psychiatric conditions. This connection is primarily due to dysfunctions in the sympathetic-adrenomedullary system (SAM), the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor impairment. This review provides an in-depth analysis of Rg3's therapeutic benefits and its pharmacological actions in treating cardiac and mental health disorders respectively. Highlighting its potential for the management of these conditions, Rg3 emerges as a promising, multifunctional therapeutic agent.

Research Progress on Effects of Ginsenoside Rg2 and Rh1 on Nervous System and Related Mechanisms

Neurological-related disorders are diseases that affect the body's neurons or peripheral nerve tissue, such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The development of neurological disorders can cause serious harm to the quality of life and functioning of the patient. The use of traditional therapeutic agents such as dopamine-promoting drugs, anticholinergic drugs, cholinesterase inhibitors, and NMDA receptor antagonists is often accompanied by a series of side effects such as drug resistance, cardiac arrhythmia, liver function abnormalities, and blurred vision. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find a therapeutic drug with a high safety profile and few side effects. Herbal medicines are rich in active ingredients that are natural macromolecules. Ginsenoside is the main active ingredient of ginseng, which has a variety of pharmacological effects and is considered to have potential value in the treatment of human diseases. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that ginsenosides Rg2 and Rh1 have strong pharmacological activities in the nervous system, with protective effects on nerve cells, improved resistance to neuronal injury, modulation of neural activity, resistance to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, improvement of brain damage after eclampsia hemorrhage, improvement of memory and cognitive deficits, treatment of AD and vascular dementia, alleviation of anxiety, pain, and inhibition of ionic-like behavior. In this article, we searched the pharmacological research literature of Rg2 and Rh1 in the field of neurological diseases, summarized the latest research progress of the two ginsenosides, and reviewed the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of Rg2 and Rh1, which provided a new way of thinking for the research of the active ingredients in ginseng anti-neurological diseases and the development of new drugs.

Effects and mechanisms of tanshinone IIA on PTSD-like symptoms

BACKGROUND

In recent years, Salvia miltiorrhiza and its active substances have remarkably progressed in treating central neurological disorders. Tanshinone IIA (TSA) is an active ingredient derived from the rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza that has been found to alleviate the symptoms of several psychiatric illnesses. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that results after experiencing a serious physical or psychological injury. The currently used drugs are not satisfactory for the treatment of PTSD. However, it has been reported that TSA can improve PTSD-like symptoms like learning and memory, cognitive disorder, and depression through multi-target regulation.

PURPOSE

This paper discusses the ameliorative effects of TSA on PTSD-like symptoms and the possible mechanisms of action in terms of inhibition of neuronal apoptosis, anti-neuroinflammation, and anti-oxidative stress. Based on the pathological changes and clinical observations of PTSD, we hope to provide some reference for the clinical transformation of Chinese medicine in treating PTSD.

METHODS

A large number of literatures on tanshinone in the treatment of neurological diseases and PTSD were retrieved from online electronic PubMed and Web of Science databases.

CONCLUSION

TSA is a widely studied natural active ingredient against mental illness. This review will contribute to the future development of TSA as a new clinical candidate drug for improving PTSD-like symptoms.

Biotransformation of ginsenoside Rb1 and Rd to four rare ginsenosides and evaluation of their anti-melanogenic effects

Improving physiological activity of primary ginsenosides through biotransformation is of great significance for food applications. In this study, gynostapenoside XVII, gynostapenoside LXXV, ginsenoside F2, and ginsenoside CK were obtained by enzymolysis of an accessible extract composed of ginsenoside Rb1 and Rd. Their effects on melanin content and tyrosinase activity were compared in vitro, and molecular docking simulation was employed to elucidate the interaction between tyrosinase and individual saponin. The results indicated that four rare ginsenosides decreased tyrosinase activity, melanin content and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) expression level, more greatly than their primary ginsenosides, and they were more readily to bind with ASP10 and GLY68 at active site of tyrosinase to inhibit tyrosinase activity as well. These findings suggested that the rare ginsenosides obtained by enzymolysis had excellent anti-melanogenic effect, which could expand the application of ginsenosides in the field of functional foods and health supplements.

Gut brain interaction theory reveals gut microbiota mediated neurogenesis and traditional Chinese medicine research strategies

Adult neurogenesis is the process of differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) into neurons and glial cells in certain areas of the adult brain. Defects in neurogenesis can lead to neurodegenerative diseases, mental disorders, and other maladies. This process is directionally regulated by transcription factors, the Wnt and Notch pathway, the extracellular matrix, and various growth factors. External factors like stress, physical exercise, diet, medications, etc., affect neurogenesis and the gut microbiota. The gut microbiota may affect NSCs through vagal, immune and chemical pathways, and other pathways. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been proven to affect NSCs proliferation and differentiation and can regulate the abundance and metabolites produced by intestinal microorganisms. However, the underlying mechanisms by which these factors regulate neurogenesis through the gut microbiota are not fully understood. In this review, we describe the recent evidence on the role of the gut microbiota in neurogenesis. Moreover, we hypothesize on the characteristics of the microbiota-gut-brain axis based on bacterial phyla, including microbiota's metabolites, and neuronal and immune pathways while providing an outlook on TCM's potential effects on adult neurogenesis by regulating gut microbiota.