Sansoninto, a traditional herbal medicine, ameliorates behavioral abnormalities and down-regulation of early growth response-1 expression in mice exposed to social isolation stress

Neuroendocrine and cellular mechanisms in stress resilience: From hormonal influence in the CNS to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress

Recent advancements in neuroendocrinology challenge the long-held belief that hormonal effects are confined to perivascular tissues and do not extend to the central nervous system (CNS). This paradigm shift, propelled by groundbreaking research, reveals that synthetic hormones, notably in anti-inflammatory medications, significantly influence steroid psychosis, behavioural, and cognitive impairments, as well as neuropeptide functions. A seminal development in this field occurred in 1968 with McEven's proposal that rodent brains are responsive to glucocorticoids, fundamentally altering the understanding of how anxiety impacts CNS functionality and leading to the identification of glucocorticosteroids and mineralocorticoids as distinct corticotropic receptors. This paper focuses on the intricate roles of the neuroendocrine, immunological, and CNS in fostering stress resilience, underscored by recent animal model studies. These studies highlight active, compensatory, and passive strategies for resilience, supporting the concept that anxiety and depression are systemic disorders involving dysregulation across both peripheral and central systems. Resilience is conceptualized as a multifaceted process that enhances psychological adaptability to stress through adaptive mechanisms within the immunological system, brain, hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, and ANS Axis. Furthermore, the paper explores oxidative stress, particularly its origin from the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria. The mitochondria's role extends beyond ATP production, encompassing lipid, heme, purine, and steroidogenesis synthesis. ROS-induced damage to biomolecules can lead to significant mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis, emphasizing the critical nature of mitochondrial health in overall cellular function and stress resilience. This comprehensive synthesis of neuroendocrinological and cellular biological research offers new insights into the systemic complexity of stress-related disorders and the imperative for multidisciplinary approaches in their study and treatment.

Cnidium officinale Makino: Phytology, Phytochemistry, Toxicology, Pharmacology and Prescriptions (1967-2023)

Cnidium officinale Makino (COM), a perennial herbaceous plant in the Apiaceous family, widely distribute in Eastern Asia and Asia-Temperate. It has a long history application as a traditional medicine for invigorating the blood and removing blood stasis, and also has been employed to diet, pesticide, herbal bathing materials, the cosmetic and skin care industry. However, there has been no associated review of literature in the past half a century (1967-2023). By searching the international authoritative databases and collecting 229 literatures closely related to COM, herewith a comprehensive and systematic review was conducted. The phytology includes plant distribution and botanical characteristics. The phytochemistry covers 8 major categories, 208 compounds in total, and the quantitative determination of 14 monomer compounds, total polyphenols and total flavonoids. The clinical trial in pregnant women and toxic experiments in mice, the pharmacology of 7 aspects and 82 frequently used prescriptions are summarized. It is expected that this paper will provide forward-looking scientific thinking and literature support for the further modern research, development and utilization of COM.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and inflammation: natural product-derived treatments-a review of the last ten years

OBJECTIVE

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Stimulant medication is the main pharmacological treatment for ADHD. However, the traditional pharmacological treatments may have significant side effects; therefore, non-pharmacological approaches are needed. Thus, there has been growing interest in alternative herbal treatments. The aim of this review was to comprehensively assess the current evidence for plant-based treatment of ADHD in human and animal models, as well as their ability to modulate the inflammatory process.

METHODS

This study was an integrative review of the current evidence for the plant-based treatment of ADHD. The research involved using literature available on PubMed and Scopus databases.

FINDINGS

Spontaneously hypersensitive rats treated with baicalin exhibited significant reductions in locomotion, increased spatial learning skills, and increased levels of dopamine in the striatum. Supplementation with Sansonite improved memory and attention capacity. In human studies, Ginkgo biloba significantly improved the symptoms of inattention and reduced memory impairment. In studies conducted using Korean Red ginseng, Klamath, and Crocus sativus L., the patients showed significant improvements in symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the identified plants modulate the inflammatory process through pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, Th cells, Toll-like receptor 4, and mitogen-activated protein kinases.

CONCLUSION

All the studies included in this review focused on plants with demonstrated potential against inflammatory processes, positioning them as promising candidates for ADHD treatment, due to their potential to attenuate or even prevent neuroinflammatory mechanisms.

Sansoninto attenuates aggressive behavior and increases levels of homovanillic acid, a dopamine metabolite, in social isolation-reared mice

Background and aim

Early-life stress is thought to affect aggressive behavior in humans and rodents. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that Sansoninto (SST; suān zǎo rén tāng), a traditional herbal medicine, attenuates stress-induced abnormal behavior in rodents. However, it is unknown whether SST attenuates stress-induced aggressive behavior. The current study examined the effects of SST on aggressive behavior of mice who suffered from social isolation (SI) stress in adolescence.

Experimental procedure

Five-week old mice were socially isolated for 6 weeks, and SST administration was started at 4 weeks after starting SI. Aggressive behavior and locomotor activity were examined in SST-treated mice. The content of dopamine and its metabolites in the hypothalamus were examined using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Gene expression analyses of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and tyrosine hydroxylase in the hypothalamus were performed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results and conclusion

SST attenuated SI-induced aggressive behavior and increased levels of homovanillic acid, a metabolite of dopamine. However, SST did not affect dopamine levels. SI enhanced locomotion in a novel environment and increased COMT mRNA levels. In contrast, SST-treated mice showed no significant enhancement of locomotion. SST attenuated the increase in COMT mRNA levels. Given that the dopaminergic system has been implicated in aggressive behavior, these findings suggest that SST toned down dopaminergic signaling, resulting in amelioration of aggression. SST may be useful for treatment of aggressive behavior in patients with neurotic symptoms.

Powerful Stress Relieving Medicinal Plants for Anger, Anxiety, Depression, and Stress During Global Pandemic

Consideration and improvement for anxiety and depression are important during a global pandemic. Appropriate healthcare can be obtained by paying more attention to traditional medicinal sciences. The adverse effects of stress with various symptoms can be managed by introducing plants that boost mental health. The most relevant psychological reactions in the general population related to the global pandemic are pervasive anxiety, frustration and boredom, specific and uncontrolled fear, disabling loneliness, significant lifestyle changes, and psychiatric conditions. Ginseng, chamomile, passionflower, herbal tea, lavender, saffron, kava, rose, cardamom, Chinese date, and some chief formula like yokukansan, Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san, so-ochim-tang-gamiband, and saikokaryukotsuboreito are notable herbal treatments for mental health problems. The most common medicinal plants that have been used in Iran for the cure of stress and anxiety are Viper's-buglosses, Dracocephalum, valerian, chamomile, common hop, hawthorns, and lavender. Medicinal plants and herbs can be used for the treatment and alleviation of the negative effects of stress, anger, and depression during the global pandemic.

Traditional herbal medicines to overcome stress, anxiety and improve mental health in outbreaks of human coronaviruses

Mental health condition is including depression and anxiety, and they may impact wellbeing, personal relationships and productivity of both genders. Herbal medicines have been used to treatment of anxiety and depression symptoms for centuries. SARS, MERS and COVID-19 are related to coronavirus types. SARS (sever acute respiratory syndrome, China, 2002), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome, Saudi Arabia, 2012), and SARS-CoV-2 (2019-2020) are the main coronavirus outbreaks. Both anxiety and depression are more serious to be considered and improved for all general public during fight with these diseases. In this mini-review article, we have mentioned the key role some of the most important plants and herbs for treatment of stress and anxiety and improve mental health against SARS and SARS-CoV-2 on the basis of traditional Asian medicine, especially traditional Chinese and Persian medicine.

Neurobiology and consequences of social isolation stress in animal model-A comprehensive review

The brain is a vital organ, susceptible to alterations under genetic influences and environmental experiences. Social isolation (SI) acts as a stressor which results in alterations in reactivity to stress, social behavior, function of neurochemical and neuroendocrine system, physiological, anatomical and behavioral changes in both animal and humans. During early stages of life, acute or chronic SIS has been proposed to show signs and symptoms of psychiatric and neurological disorders such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, epilepsy and memory loss. Exposure to social isolation stress induces a variety of endocrinological changes including the activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, culminating in the release of glucocorticoids (GCs), release of catecholamines, activation of the sympatho-adrenomedullary system, release of Oxytocin and vasopressin. In several regions of the central nervous system (CNS), SIS alters the level of neurotransmitter such as dopamine, serotonin, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, nitrergic system and adrenaline as well as leads to alteration in receptor sensitivity of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and opioid system. A change in the function of oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS) mediated mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory factors, neurotrophins and neurotrophicfactors (NTFs), early growth response transcription factor genes (Egr) and C-Fos expression are also involved as a pathophysiological consequences of SIS which induce neurological and psychiatric disorders.