Antidepressant Mechanisms of Polygalae Radix： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20241340
- VernacularTitle:远志抗抑郁作用机制研究进展
- Author:
Liming LIU
1
;
Shuaijun PENG
1
;
Pan SU
1
;
Yucheng LI
1
Author Information
1. Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao， Henan University of Chinese Medicine， Zhengzhou 450046， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
depression;
antidepressant mechanisms;
Polygalae Radix and its active ingredients;
Polygalae Radix drug pairs;
compound prescriptions containing Polygalae Radix
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2025;31(5):300-309
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Depression is a high-incidence mental disorder with complex causes and multifaceted pathogenic mechanisms. Its pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated， which has hindered the development of novel and highly effective antidepressant drugs. This condition severely affects human physical and mental health while imposing a significant socio-economic burden. At present， several hypotheses exist regarding the pathogenesis of depression， including monoamine neurotransmitter imbalances， neurotrophic factor deficiencies， neural plasticity impairments， glutamate dysregulation， neuroinflammatory disorders， gut microbiota imbalances， and mitochondrial autophagy dysfunction. Currently， most clinical antidepressants are monoamine neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitors. Although they exhibit certain therapeutic effects， they are associated with significant drawbacks， such as severe adverse reactions and poor patient compliance. In contrast， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， characterized by its multi-targeted effects， mild efficacy， and minimal side effects， has demonstrated significant advantages in the treatment of depression. Chinese medicine Polygalae Radix possesses the functions of calming the mind， enhancing cognitive functions， harmonizing the heart and kidneys， and dispelling phlegm to open orifices. It is often included in compound prescriptions for the clinical treatment of depression. Based on current hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of depression， this paper systematically reviews research progress on the antidepressant mechanisms of Polygalae Radix from multiple perspectives， including its active components， its use in herbal pairings， and its inclusion in TCM compound prescriptions. This review aims to provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of Polygalae Radix in antidepressant therapy and to serve as a reference for the modernization of its antidepressant research.
